When couples begin planning their wedding, they often spend months choosing a venue, photographer, florist or dress. Yet one of the biggest influences on how your ceremony actually feels - is your celebrant.

One of the things I admire most about Marieke is her philosophy that weddings don't need to follow tradition simply because "that's how it's always been done."

Her approach is refreshingly simple:
Your wedding should reflect your relationship.

Whether you're planning an Auckland elopement with just the two of you, an intimate micro wedding with your closest family, or a celebration with 200 guests, she works with you to create a ceremony that's heartfelt, personal and completely your own. She brings years of experience in the New Zealand wedding industry, having worked across beautiful Auckland wedding venues before becoming a celebrant, and that background shows in how effortlessly she guides couples through the process.
As a photographer documenting the all the micro interactions - of the wedding couple and all their guests throughout the ceremony - having an excellent celebrant makes an enormous difference.

I've noticed that when Marieke is leading a ceremony, couples settle into the moment instead of worrying about performing for their guests. That authenticity naturally translates into photographs that feel timeless years later.

Elopements have changed dramatically over the last few years. They're no longer simply a way to "avoid the big wedding. "Many couples intentionally choose an intimate wedding because they want the day to focus on what matters most - their relationship. If you're planning an Auckland elopement, choosing a celebrant who embraces creativity is incredibly valuable. Marieke encourages couples to make their ceremony their own rather than following a traditional template. Whether you're exchanging vows on a west coast beach, overlooking the Waitākere Ranges, celebrating at a vineyard, or gathering a handful of loved ones in a beautiful garden, she'll help create something meaningful rather than something generic.
And when it comes to turning these moments into lasting beautiful photographic memories, this creates space for genuine storytelling instead of rushing through a standard script.

One misconception I hear regularly is that smaller weddings should have simpler ceremonies. I have actually come to learn the opposite is true. When there are fewer guests, every word carries even more significance. Micro weddings create the opportunity for conversations instead of performances. For shared stories instead of formalities. For laughter instead of awkward silence. A personalised ceremony becomes one of the defining memories of the day - it's the thing your guests talk about for years to come and one you'll revisit every time you look through your wedding gallery.

One thing I genuinely appreciate is that Marieke doesn't expect couples to fit inside a predetermined wedding formula. She welcomes ideas. She encourages personality. She loves creativity.

Whether you're planning:

▫️An Auckland micro wedding
▫️An intimate outdoor ceremony
▫️A registry-style alternative wedding
▫️A relaxed backyard celebration or
▫️A full-scale wedding with all your favourite people

Marieke's focus remains exactly the same - creating a ceremony that feels authentic to your relationship. That's increasingly important because today's couples aren't searching for "perfect."
They're searching for something real.

Most importantly, she genuinely cares about creating an experience that's memorable for every couple.
Marieke creates that kind of relaxed atmosphere every photographer hopes for because authentic moments naturally unfold & every person there has a truly enjoyable & memorable experience, and that directly translates into the imagery we are able to document.

If you're putting together a small wedding in Auckland and are looking for a celebrant and photographer who value genuine connection over staged moments, I'd be delighted to help. I've had the privilege of working alongside incredible vendors throughout New Zealand, and Marieke is one of the professionals I recommend without hesitation. Together, we can help create a wedding day that feels relaxed, meaningful and unmistakably yours.