Chris O’Connell - Celebrant (Chch)

Hi there! Welcome, I’m Chris and thanks for visiting my Celebrant webpage!

I’m a very experienced celebrant who has performed a number of weddings ranging from small intimate ceremonies in people’s back gardens, through to large, prestigious weddings and everything in between.

I’ll start with my claim to fame as a Celebrant! I was honoured and privileged to, as a celebrant, perform the first wedding ceremony on a moving train in New Zealand. This was in February 2023 on the Tranz Alpine train during its beautiful, scenic and meandering journey from Christchurch to Greymouth. That was an amazing experience that I’ll never forget and I have made new lifelong friends with the couple I married in that unique setting.

Life is generally BUSY for me running a family and raising two kids! I love being a family man and the rewards and challenges that it brings and I wouldn’t have it any other way! To be totally honest…. I admit to being sports-mad! I am still playing football in the Master's grades and I am a cricket fanatic. That’s why my profile pic is a cricket bat and ball.  I’ve been a proud Cantabrian all my life and my team is the Crusaders!

Public speaking is definitely my ‘thing’ and it’s part of my day-to-day life! People often tell me that I have the ‘gift of the gab!’ and I have had a background in public speaking roles throughout my lifetime. This started as early as high school and I have performed a good number of weddings, and been Master of Ceremonies at a few.
 

I will offer a ‘tailor-made’ and personal ceremony for you that will fulfil your requirements, whether this be a traditional, modern ceremony or a service with a religious significance.

I offer things such as an in-depth pre-wedding meeting and a rehearsal with the couple to put the couple at ease and to feel positive about their special day (see my wedding celebrant process for further information!)

I encourage any inquiries- it would be fab to hear from you and hear about your exciting news and how i can help you through your wedding planning process!!