In summary Weddings are conducted by the minister except by special arrangement. An early booking is essential. The Church seats up to 180 people comfortably. The Church has a fine organ and a grand piano. Full details of applicable fees are available from the Church Office.

Contacts: Minister: David Coster, Office: (03) 332 7129 Home: (03) 322 5612 or email minister@cashmere church.org.nz Church office: Gail Weaver, Phone: (03) 332-7129, Fax: (03) 332 7130 2 Macmillan Avenue, Cashmere, Christchurch 8002, or email office@cashmere church.org.nz

Cashmere Hills is a popular venue for weddings. Its architecture and intimate atmosphere create a fitting setting for the celebration of a marriage that acknowledges that love is a gift of God.

The Church is available to all who want to acknowledge that, and who wish to declare their desire to share with each other the love God has given them.

All weddings at Cashmere Hills are conducted by the minister, David Coster, except by special arrangement. Because of its popularity an early booking is essential. The Church seats up to 180 people comfortably.

The Church is also a popular venue for couples from overseas who wish to get married in New Zealand and, in 1994, the Japanese actors Shin Takuma and Chikako Kaku chose Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church as the venue for their wedding.

If you are coming from overseas to get married in New Zealand, or if you are a Wedding Company wishing to organise a wedding at Cashmere Hills, please see the information at the end of this page.

this photo copyright: www.justweddings.co.nz

The Minister

The Parish Council have determined that under normal circumstances David Coster, or, with prior approval, another Presbyterian minister, shall conduct all wedding services. In exceptional circumstances a minister of one of the churches in good standing with the Presbyterian Church, and to which at least one of the couple belong as active members, may conduct the wedding with the concurrence of the minister of Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church.

David says, "I count it a great privilege to be invited by couples to celebrate with them the beginning of their married life together. It is my hope that we can work together to plan a service that reflects not only your hopes and dreams but also gives thanks to God for the gift of your love for each other."

Making a Booking

You can download a pdf version of the Wedding Information Sheet and Booking Form here: Wedding Brochure

There are three steps to book Cashmere Hills for a wedding.

1. Check that the Church is available. To do this, click this button to view the booking calendar.
   
   
   
   
2. If the Church is available, contact the Church Office to make and confirm your booking. Phone (03) 332-7129 (Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings) or e-mail office@cashmerechurch.org.nz
   


3. Arrange to meet with the Minister to discuss your plans for your wedding service.

Once your booking has been confirmed it will be our priority. However, in fairness to all, we must ask that if your arrangements change in any way, you should advise the Church Office immediately: Phone (03) 332-7129 (Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings) or e-mail office@cashmerechurch.org.nz.

Planning Your Service

Several months before your wedding the minister will meet with you both, for the first of 2 or 3 discussions.

This provides an opportunity to share your understanding of the commitment you are making in marriage, to plan your wedding service and discuss your particular needs.

A marriage service is a very personal moment, and it is important that you are fully involved in shaping the service you will have on the day.

The minister will be able to provide you with a variety of resources from which you can choose and write your own material for the service.

Music

The Church has a fine organ and a grand piano. The Church's organist can be engaged for your wedding if you so desire. Other music may also be appropriate - for example a soloist or instrumentalist, or group. These can be discussed with the minister.

Fees

Use of the Church: For those whose family is not actively involved in the life of the Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church: $500
Minister’s Fee: When the Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church’s Minister is to officiate: $100. (If another Minister is to take the service, this fee is to be negotiated separately)
Organist (if required): $60

These fees include the Booking Fee of $50, which is non-refundable, and which must be paid within one month of making your booking.

The remaining fees are to be paid at least seven days before the date of the wedding, and should be sent to the Church Office, 2 Macmillan Avenue, Cashmere, Christchurch.

Weddings for Overseas Couples

If you are coming to New Zealand to get married you may find the prospect of making all the arrangements from afar somewhat daunting. If this is the case you may choose to use a Wedding Organiser, and we are happy to accept bookings through such companies. Some of the companies we are aware of are listed below, but this is not a comprehensive list, nor do we limit the acceptance of bookings to these companies only.

New Zealand Dream Weddings (www.weddingsnewzealand.com)
New Zealand Wedding Services (www.nzweddingservices.co.nz)
White Cloud Weddings (www.whitecloudweddings.co.nz)
Green Angel Weddings (www.greenangel.co.nz)
Emma Newman Weddings (www.enweddings.co.nz)

Information for Wedding Organisers

The fee structure for companies organising weddings on behalf of couples (whether from overseas or New Zealand) differs from that given above, and does not include the Minister to officiate as it is usual for Wedding Companies to organise their own Minister. Please contact the Church Office for an information sheet.