Frequently Asked Questions
How long have you been a marriage celebrant?
I was appointed a marriage celebrant in April 2011. I officiated my first marriage in September 2011, so I have now been a Marriage Celebrant for over 7 years.
How many weddings have you officiated?
It has been my privilege to marry over 150 couples.
Prior to applying to become a marriage celebrant I did my homework and prepared extensively. I put together a lot of resources, talked to other marriage celebrants, asked friends what they considered important and built up my local knowledge.
I consider every wedding I am involved with a privilege and a new challenge. Each couple is different and I want to give them the best ceremony I can. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than knowing that I have contributed positively to their special day.
Where have you officiated marriages?
I have celebrated marriages at the following places:
On Waiheke
- Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard
- Stonyridge Vineyard
- Delamore Lodge
- Goldie's Vineyard
- Cable Bay Vineyard
- Batch Winery
- Fairgrounds Estate
- Wild Bay
- The Venue, Onetangi
- The Estate
- Casita Miro
- Poderi Crisci
- Onetangi Beach
- Enclosure Bay
- Palm Beach
- Oneroa Beach
- The Pontoon in Picnic Bay
- Church Bay Esplanade
- Pohutukawa Reserve, Onetangi
- Anzac Reserve
- Onetangi Forest and Bird Reserve
- Te Toki Retreat
- St Georgina's Barn, Onetangi
- White's Bay
- Pegasus Lodge, Chapel Hill
- Wharetana Bay
- Woodside Bay
Off Waiheke
- On a boat off Woody Bay - Rakino Island
- The French Cafe - Central Auckland
- Parnell Rose Gardens - Parnell
- Mecca Stonehouse - Mission Bay
- Magazine Bay - Maraetai
- Hiwinui Country Estate - Palmerston North
- Private residences both on Waiheke and in Auckland
Why and how did you become a marriage celebrant?
I was a member of the local Waiheke Community Board for 6 years from 2004 to 2010, and Chairman of the Board for the last couple of those years. When I chose to not stand for re-election I looked at other ways that I could work within my local community. A number of people had asked me if I was a marriage celebrant and planted the idea that it was something that I would be good at. On Waiheke there is a real need for capable, articulate, professional local people to take on this role and I put my hand up. Being well known and respected on the island and a person who had demonstrated leadership and community service were I believe qualities considered important when I applied to become a celebrant.
Why do you do it?
I love it. It is energising to be part of a couple’s special day. It is a privilege that I don’t think I would ever stop being grateful to have. If I do, I will stop doing it. Weddings are always joyful experiences and it’s magic to help couples celebrate their love and commitment with their family and friends.
Same sex marriages?
I have married four same sex couples. Marriage is a celebration of love and commitment. I have many gay friends and have been fortunate enough to marry some of them. I am totally in support of our rules in New Zealand that say that independent marriage celebrants must not discriminate between heterosexual and homosexual couples. I welcome the opportunity to marry more same sex couples.
Is this your main job?
No.. I am Deputy Principal at Waiheke High School. I have been in this role for over 17 years and it is a great job in a great school. I have however always enjoyed new challenges and experiences and this is a great way to use my skills as a people person and a communicator. I wish I had thought of doing this earlier, but I am a firm believer that when the time is right opportunities will present themselves.
Being a marriage celebrant fits nicely with my main job as most weddings occur during the weekends or during the long summer holidays. I take my career very seriously and work hard to ensure that I do not compromise either role.
Do you do more than one wedding on a day?
Generally not. I have at times but only when I am certain that the weddings are far enough apart on the day that I would be able to give both ceremonies the care and time each needed.
Can you do weekdays?
I try not to let my weddings interfere with my school work. Obviously I have more opportunities to officiate after the school day and am usually available from 4PM onwards. With plenty of notice I can sometimes be available earlier.
Fortunately our long school holidays are during the summer and so I can usually be available most days from around mid-November to the end of January.
How do I know you will do a good job?
Call me, Skype me or meet with me. Have a look at some of the ceremonies I have prepared and celebrated. I am happy to provide contact details of couples I have married. Look at the feedback on this website.
Do you officiate weddings off Waiheke?
Yes when requested. Although I do not actively advertise my availability off island, I have officiated a number of weddings off-island as you can see from the details given above.
Whose responsibility is it to apply for the Marriage Licence? The couple getting married must apply for this. This can be requested online: www.marriages.services.govt.nz Alternatively the forms that can be filled out are available from the Essential Documents section of this website.
I want to fill in your name on the form to get a Marriage Licence. What should I write?
My full name is Anthony John Sears, but I've always been called Tony.
If I haven’t answered any questions you have, contact me.. I will add to this if more questions arise…
How long have you been a marriage celebrant?
I was appointed a marriage celebrant in April 2011. I officiated my first marriage in September 2011, so I have now been a Marriage Celebrant for over 7 years.
How many weddings have you officiated?
It has been my privilege to marry over 150 couples.
Prior to applying to become a marriage celebrant I did my homework and prepared extensively. I put together a lot of resources, talked to other marriage celebrants, asked friends what they considered important and built up my local knowledge.
I consider every wedding I am involved with a privilege and a new challenge. Each couple is different and I want to give them the best ceremony I can. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than knowing that I have contributed positively to their special day.
Where have you officiated marriages?
I have celebrated marriages at the following places:
On Waiheke
- Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard
- Stonyridge Vineyard
- Delamore Lodge
- Goldie's Vineyard
- Cable Bay Vineyard
- Batch Winery
- Fairgrounds Estate
- Wild Bay
- The Venue, Onetangi
- The Estate
- Casita Miro
- Poderi Crisci
- Onetangi Beach
- Enclosure Bay
- Palm Beach
- Oneroa Beach
- The Pontoon in Picnic Bay
- Church Bay Esplanade
- Pohutukawa Reserve, Onetangi
- Anzac Reserve
- Onetangi Forest and Bird Reserve
- Te Toki Retreat
- St Georgina's Barn, Onetangi
- White's Bay
- Pegasus Lodge, Chapel Hill
- Wharetana Bay
- Woodside Bay
Off Waiheke
- On a boat off Woody Bay - Rakino Island
- The French Cafe - Central Auckland
- Parnell Rose Gardens - Parnell
- Mecca Stonehouse - Mission Bay
- Magazine Bay - Maraetai
- Hiwinui Country Estate - Palmerston North
- Private residences both on Waiheke and in Auckland
Why and how did you become a marriage celebrant?
I was a member of the local Waiheke Community Board for 6 years from 2004 to 2010, and Chairman of the Board for the last couple of those years. When I chose to not stand for re-election I looked at other ways that I could work within my local community. A number of people had asked me if I was a marriage celebrant and planted the idea that it was something that I would be good at. On Waiheke there is a real need for capable, articulate, professional local people to take on this role and I put my hand up. Being well known and respected on the island and a person who had demonstrated leadership and community service were I believe qualities considered important when I applied to become a celebrant.
Why do you do it?
I love it. It is energising to be part of a couple’s special day. It is a privilege that I don’t think I would ever stop being grateful to have. If I do, I will stop doing it. Weddings are always joyful experiences and it’s magic to help couples celebrate their love and commitment with their family and friends.
Same sex marriages?
I have married four same sex couples. Marriage is a celebration of love and commitment. I have many gay friends and have been fortunate enough to marry some of them. I am totally in support of our rules in New Zealand that say that independent marriage celebrants must not discriminate between heterosexual and homosexual couples. I welcome the opportunity to marry more same sex couples.
Is this your main job?
No.. I am Deputy Principal at Waiheke High School. I have been in this role for over 17 years and it is a great job in a great school. I have however always enjoyed new challenges and experiences and this is a great way to use my skills as a people person and a communicator. I wish I had thought of doing this earlier, but I am a firm believer that when the time is right opportunities will present themselves.
Being a marriage celebrant fits nicely with my main job as most weddings occur during the weekends or during the long summer holidays. I take my career very seriously and work hard to ensure that I do not compromise either role.
Do you do more than one wedding on a day?
Generally not. I have at times but only when I am certain that the weddings are far enough apart on the day that I would be able to give both ceremonies the care and time each needed.
Can you do weekdays?
I try not to let my weddings interfere with my school work. Obviously I have more opportunities to officiate after the school day and am usually available from 4PM onwards. With plenty of notice I can sometimes be available earlier.
Fortunately our long school holidays are during the summer and so I can usually be available most days from around mid-November to the end of January.
How do I know you will do a good job?
Call me, Skype me or meet with me. Have a look at some of the ceremonies I have prepared and celebrated. I am happy to provide contact details of couples I have married. Look at the feedback on this website.
Do you officiate weddings off Waiheke?
Yes when requested. Although I do not actively advertise my availability off island, I have officiated a number of weddings off-island as you can see from the details given above.
Whose responsibility is it to apply for the Marriage Licence? The couple getting married must apply for this. This can be requested online: www.marriages.services.govt.nz Alternatively the forms that can be filled out are available from the Essential Documents section of this website.
I want to fill in your name on the form to get a Marriage Licence. What should I write?
My full name is Anthony John Sears, but I've always been called Tony.
If I haven’t answered any questions you have, contact me.. I will add to this if more questions arise…