Kia ora, my name is Suzi Pethig and I grew up in Halswell, Christchurch. I then spent 20 years living in Blenheim where I met my husband Jeff and we had our two beautiful children Jack and Māia. We now own a lovely house in Jeff's hometown of Geraldine in South Canterbury and we plan on sticking around for a bit.
I am a celebrant and have the honour to officiate at many different celebrations and events for very special times in the lives of the people I meet. From weddings and civil unions to naming ceremonies and funerals. I will listen to you and figure out what you are wanting from the ceremony. I will then work with you so all your boxes are ticked and you get what you want from this important time.
"you set the tone perfectly for our wedding, our day was everything we could've wanted"
"made our special day exactly what we asked for and wanted"
"flexible, funny and made sure all our needs were met"
Whether you would like an intimate ceremony or something a bit fancy, I am able to accommodate whatever will make your day exactly what you want it to be. Once you contact me we will arrange our first meeting where, along with finding out all the information I need to know about both of you, I will also let you know what needs to be done at the ceremony and also discuss the personalised aspects of what you are wanting on your special day. Remember, this day is yours and you get to choose how to celebrate it!
$150
Contact me and make a date
I will meet you at a location within the Geraldine area and will legally officiate your marriage or civil union
You will need to bring 2 x witnesses and either have your marriage documents sent to me or printed out for the day
I am happy to travel outside of Geraldine but an additional travel fee may apply
$350
Filing completed legal documents with BDM
My travel within the Geraldine area
I am happy to travel outside of Geraldine but an additional travel fee may apply
$480
Pre-ceremony meetings
Creation of your unique and personalised ceremony including readings and/or a wedding custom, for example hand fasting or a sand ceremony etc.
Officiating at the ceremony
Rehearsal availability
Filing completed legal documents with BDM
PA system if needed
My travel within the Geraldine area
I am happy to travel outside of Geraldine but an additional travel fee may apply
Officiating and Speeches
I would be privileged to be given the opportunity to help you with the funeral of your loved one in any way that is needed. As your celebrant I can do as much or as little as you would like me to do. I will be at the venue on the day early and along with the funeral director will make sure everything runs smoothly. The ceremony, whether it be a traditional funeral, or a celebration of life is special and unique to your loved one, you and the family and friends who have been entrusted with the duty to organise this special occasion.
How much of a role I take in the ceremony is completely up to you.
Getting Prepared
If you would like to speak to me about preparing your own celebration before the time comes I can help guide you on some decisions that need to be made and if you would like, write a eulogy that I will keep on file and then when the time comes, you know that all the special memories and people you would have liked to have been mentioned will be.
If you would like me to officiate at the ceremony including a welcome, introductions of speakers and readings, conclusion and committal. A family meeting is also included.
My fee for this is approximately $300
If you would like to have a chat about writing a eulogy for yourself or a loved one before the time comes, I am happy to help with this.
This service usually includes a meeting with me at your home or whatever location is appropriate so I can gather all the information needed. After I have finished writing I will then meet with you again and make sure you are happy with what has been written. At that time we can do any necessary fine tuning and you will have the security to know that when the time comes, nothing will be missed at your ceremony.
The fee for this is approximately $200