Gregory Hughson With an M.Sc. in Biological Science and from a background in Agricultural Science Research, Greg trained for ordination as a Methodist Minister from 1985-1987, obtaining a Bachelor of Divinity in Practical Theology with Distinction from the University of Otago. He spent six years in parish ministry in Feilding (1988-93) followed by six years as Methodist Parish Superintendent in Gisborne (1994-99). He spent the next twenty years (2000-2019) as ecumenical chaplain at the University of Otago. Throughout his ministry Greg has enjoyed conducting many weddings, largely based on material provided by Douglas Pratt in previous editions of this book. Greg is now retired and living in Dunedin. Gregory Hughson is a recently retired Methodist minister, who spent the last 20 years as ecumenical chaplain at the University of Otago. He has enjoyed conducting many weddings. Gregory Hughson is a recently retired Methodist minister, who spent the last 20 years as ecumenical chaplain at the University of Otago. He has enjoyed conducting many weddings. Douglas Pratt Douglas trained as a Methodist minister, gaining degrees in philosophy (MA) and theology (BD, PhD). He later trained as a marriage relationship counsellor and supervisor. It was during his first parish appointment, 1975-78, that Doug began to offer a multi-choice marriage ceremony format and was at the forefront of promoting alternatives for both the ceremony and the location of weddings. Such developments paved the way for today’s context of secular (Civil) marriage celebrants. In 1984, following two years of overseas study (1979-80) and three years in Methodist parish ministry in Dunedin (1981-83), Doug took up an appointment as ecumenical chaplain to the University of Waikato. In 1988 he was appointed the foundation lecturer in Religious Studies at the University. In 1998 Doug became an Anglican priest while remaining a full-time university lecturer, retiring in 2018 as a professor. It was during his tenure as chaplain that the initial work on alternative marriage ceremonies was further developed and led to publication. Douglas Pratt, a retired university lecturer, was a Methodist minister and is now an Anglican priest. While in parish ministry he began to offer a multi-choice marriage ceremony, which became this book’s predecessor Celebrating Marriage. Douglas Pratt, a retired university lecturer, was a Methodist minister and is now an Anglican priest. While in parish ministry he began to offer a multi-choice marriage ceremony, Celebrating Marriage, which became this book’s predecessor.