Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Gray Ruffell
Marriage celebrant. Community consultant.
The common thread is people.
About
I've spent my career in the space where people meet meaning.
Since 2009, I've been helping couples mark the day that matters most. Before that, a career in media and public speaking taught me that the best communication is the honest kind.
These days I split my time between two things I care deeply about: crafting ceremonies that actually sound like the people standing in them, and helping organisations discover what happens when they stop performing and start talking.
Both roles ask the same question: what would you say if you really meant it?
Background
Hawke's Bay based educator with a long history of community involvement. I've presented the Tu Tikanga workshop for the Human Rights Commission, worked extensively with youth, and spent years in motivational speaking before becoming a registered celebrant.
Community Investigation
Creator of the Community Investigation programme, a workshop built around one premise: looking beyond rhetoric towards genuine partnerships. Delivered to organisations across Hawke's Bay including Options HB, Parent to Parent, PACT, and Oceania Group.
"An experience that empowers your organisation to be agents of change in an ever changing world."
Community InvestigationTwo Ways I Show Up
Different settings, same belief: it starts with saying what you mean.
Marriage Celebrant
Personalised ceremonies for couples who want their wedding to sound like them, not a template. I've been doing this since 2009 and I still get a kick out of it.
Find out more
Community Investigation
A workshop where you get to tell jokes, speak your mind honestly, and challenge the presenters. Looking beyond rhetoric towards genuine partnerships.
Find out moreCreating Your Day, Not a Performance
I've been a registered full-time celebrant since 2009. In that time I've learned that the best ceremonies are the ones that get out of the way and let the couple be themselves.
Whether you want something quiet and intimate or a full production with all the extras, I'll help you design a ceremony that feels right. I can help with venue selection, liaise with other local services, and MC if you need me to.
Background in media and public speaking means I'm comfortable in front of a crowd. But this is your day, not mine.
Enquire via My Wedding GuidePersonalised Ceremonies
Your words, your story, your way. Vows, readings, poems, religious or not.
Any Location
Beach, backyard, ballroom, under a big oak tree. Wherever feels right.
Full Support
Venue sourcing, vendor coordination, rehearsal guidance, MC and paperwork all sorted.
Community Investigation
Community Investigation invites organisations to take a holistic look at community and explore the questions that matter. What does a healthy community look like? How does reciprocity actually work? What happens when you stop talking about values and start living them?
The workshop gives your team methods and tools for exploring the talents of your community. It challenges the way your organisation functions day to day while staying true to its vision. You'll leave with a fresh understanding of how your organisation fits into the wider picture.
The format includes brainstorms, videos, open forum chats, and plenty of room for your people to be heard.
Find Out MoreTrusted by
For Your Organisation
Targeted allocation of resources, increased productivity, and tools your staff can apply straight away.
For Your People
Understanding how labels, stereotyping, and cultural attitudes affect community life. Practical skills for building genuine partnerships.
For Your Community
Tips for using your own networks in building community and improving interaction with the people you serve.
Kind Words
From couples and workshop participants.
Gray possesses the unique ability to challenge the societal norms, such as concepts of disability, independence versus inter-dependence and self-determination, whilst also being sensitive to the needs of his audience.
Community Investigation
You helped to make our wedding one of the most special days of our lives. Your flexibility, professionalism and courtesy met and exceeded our expectations. We recommend you to all who require someone who goes the extra mile.
Wedding
This workshop is an excellent event for organisations to think about their role in promoting social inclusion and to pull together the big outcomes for the organisation and people they support.
Community Investigation
We had the privilege of being married by Gray under a lovely big oak tree. He was early, well prepared, and we especially enjoyed his sense of humour, which was also appreciated by the wedding guests. Tailor-made and personal to us.
Wedding
A creative point of view on diversity.
Community Investigation
We can recommend Gray Ruffell as a celebrant with a difference. After the ceremony, he took care of all the paperwork so we didn't have to worry about it on honeymoon.
Wedding
Get in Touch
Let's Talk
Whether you're planning a wedding or want to strengthen your team, it starts with a conversation.