Who's gonna marry us?

When I was growing up and imagining my wedding day, I always imagined my father presiding over my marriage ceremony. Since my dad is a pastor and has officiated lots of weddings, I suppose this came to my mind naturally. Then I moved to New Zealand, met the love of my life and am planning a wedding here in NZ instead of back in the USA. Ummm, right...this causes a problem.

I have found that in New Zealand there are very specific people who are allowed to perform marriages. These people are registered with the branch of government dealing with births, deaths and marriages. So in order to legally get married in New Zealand, we have only two options.

1. Get married by the registrar in the office- $170 with no wedding.

2. Hire a marriage celebrant to do your own wedding in your venue- $300 plus application fee for marriage certificate.

The third option that exists is to get married in our church (neither of which we want to get married in) by our pastor, but since we already have our venue booked that option is gone.

None of these options give me the one that I want- for my dad to be able to officiate. Sad face.

We decided to go with option 2 and found a marriage celebrant that Jeff knows from church and who I feel comfortable with doing our wedding. Is it weird that she is a woman and will be doing our wedding? I have to admit that yes, it is weird for me. Because I grew up imagining this day being led by my father. Eugenie is really awesome though and put me at ease with her sharing our day. She is also letting me have my way in having my dad involved in the ceremony still (not just the giving me away part). He's going to give an opening prayer and lead a part of the ceremony that we have added (I'm not sharing that part quite yet).

My Mom and my Dad, back in 2010 when I last was home.

So while my wedding is not going to be exactly like I imagined it as I was growing up, it is going to be amazing and reflect both Jeff and I. Plus who wants to get married in a poofy dress literally inspired by Belle from Beauty and the Beast while walking down the aisle to "In the Arms of the Angel" ?? Not 29-year-old me.