What was the driving force behind you becoming a celebrant?
In 2022 I attended my niece's garden wedding at a winery in Kumeu. The marriage celebrant was Tasha Bowen. She was amazing (and still is!). Her professional disposition, beautiful spirit, sense of humour to boot caught my attention. She was the first Pasifika celebrant I had the pleasure of experiencing at a wedding. You see, growing up in a church environment, I was exposed only to weddings with our minister in a church setting. But nowadays, with the option of garden weddings, especially with our younger generation moving away from church, I saw this with a new-found lens. I stalked Tasha on social media, made contact with her and asked her to mentor me and help me with the process of becoming a celebrant myself! It was a hook, line and sinker moment for me that day. I wanted to be marriage celebrant and knew that I had it in me to become an awesome one - haha! I've been a celebrant since end of 2022 but had been living overseas last year in my homeland Samoa, where I had the opportunity of being the events manager at Sinalei Reef & Resort Samoa. Destination weddings are amazing at that resort. Check it out!
What involvement do you have/have had with CANZ at a branch or national level?
I recently attended my first Celebrants Aotearoa Conference which was held in Wellington. Since then I've been inspired to step up and take on the mantel of chairwoman for the Auckland Branch Committee. Although I have big shoes to fill following Brenda Chapman, I know that I have awesome support from her and our members from the committee. I look forward to serving my Auckland colleagues, however that might look like.
Tell us about the ceremonies you perform.
With the few that I have performed, I love making people feel relaxed by kicking off with an ice breaker, while we're waiting for the bride (permission granted, of course). Then maybe share a joke or two (reading the room, of course) before we start with the formalities. The atmosphere is important to me, so being able to set the scene with happy, funny moments before the event itself, leaves a positive memory for all who are present. I would like to focus on funerals, celebrating one's life and helping the family create a memorable service for their loved one.
What are the most enjoyable things about being a celebrant?
Participating in people's milestones, whether it's a wedding or a funeral. Even more enjoyable when they are people that you know eg. family members or friends. It sends warm fuzzies through my body and fills my cup.
What are some of the hardest parts of the job?
Staying on top of communication, especially if it's not your fulltime job.
What was the most memorable ceremony you have performed?
The ceremony of my friend who is a detective with the NZ Police and his beautiful wife. Being familiar with the crowd made knots in my stomach disappear and jokes to flow.
What does your typical day look like?
Monday and Friday I have the best job and babysit my only grandchild who turned one last month. The rest of the week I work on my celebrancy business, my wellbeing - whether it's appointments, walking barefoot on grass at the local dog park, housework (I'm a neat freak), cooking meals and visiting elderly family members, my parents' old friends from their church (Mangere PIPC) or having coffee sessions with friends at local cafes (Onehunga has so many lovely ones to choose from). Saturday is set aside for events, functions or family get togethers. Sunday is a day of rest, reset, recover and routine setting for the week ahead with my two teens.
What advice do you have for someone new to the industry?
This is such a beautiful journey in anyone's life who are contemplating becoming a celebrant. The sheer fulfilment of participating in one's milestone, whether it's a wedding or celebrating a life at a funeral. You will walk away from the event with your own cup full. And what a sense of honour you will feel playing an integral part of such a life memory in one's journey. Come join this amazing group of beautiful souls and go serve our amazing community.
How do you like to relax?
Listening to music while sitting on my son Lawrence's egg chair on the back deck. Watching the Mangere Bridge traffic while my fairy lights weaved throughout my tropical garden are all on in the evening.
I love to cook for family and friends. Taking meals to visit elderly family members and church friends of my parents. My signature dish is pineapple pie.
Volleyball was my go-to sport. I played for college, Auckland Under 16 squad, Auckland Samoan Rep team, Akarana Club, Old Skool and NZ Police Masters teams.
I used to do salsa dancing for a year with my BB (Kirsten Cordell) but have slowed down the tempo and have started getting into line dancing.
I enjoy spending time with my favourite human and only grandchild, Tala Emanuel Anetere'a Setu. He turned one last month and I now have the privilege of looking after him every Monday and Friday.
[IMAGE: Nicola Sorensen (Celebrant from Parua Bay)]
