Celebrancy Services

Q: Is a Celebrant wedding the right option for me?
A: A Celebrant wedding is a wonderfully personal ceremony. One of the core elements with a celebrant ceremony is that it includes all beliefs, philosophies and traditions. We welcome same sex marriages and the freedom to choose your location, day and time is limitless. Should you wish to bring two different sets of beliefs together in a unique and wonderful way, then this is the choice for you. However, it is important to stay true to yourself and if a traditional church ceremony is your calling then go in the direction that you feel drawn to. This is a very important day in your lives so it is worth asking questions if you are uncertain.

Q: We have just become engaged! We have heard so much about Celebrant weddings – how do we organize one?
A: Firstly, you as a couple should consider when and where you wish to get married, and contact your chosen celebrant to check their availability. Due to the current popularity of celebrant weddings, celebrants can find themselves booked up a year or more in advance for popular dates, particularly weekend and holiday seasons. We recommend that you only provisionally book a venue until you have secured a celebrant’s services.

If you cannot find a celebrant based locally, then try celebrants further away. Many celebrants are happy to travel across the country to conduct your wedding, but will charge travel expenses. Your celebrant will be happy to explain all the processes involved, including the possible content of your ceremony.

Some celebrants will travel abroad to conduct wedding or commitment ceremonies, but this would not be legally valid unless somehow the celebrant can meet the local legal requirements for a valid marriage ceremony.

Q: Is a Celebrant wedding a legally binding ceremony?
A: We would love to be able to offer you a complete legal ceremony however it is exclusively the ceremony side that can be performed by a celebrant.

The legal side is to be done by the HSE at a separate time. This is normally done a few days before or after the ceremony but most people would treat the ceremony as their wedding day. Please see link for your convenience: http://www.hse.ie/go/marriage/

There are two steps to performing the legal side (which have to be performed whether you get married in a traditional church wedding or through a civil or celebrant ceremony. The first is to give 3 months’ notice which must be done in person at a civil registration service. This applies to all civil, religious and secular marriages.

Once you have arranged your notification appointment, the HSE will issue you with a MRF (Marriage Registration Form) This document will then be passed onto an HSE registered solemniser, who will witness the signing of this document so if you are marrying at a Registry office, this signing will take place there at a second appointment at least 3 months after the first. 

Q: Can I get married outdoors?
A: Yes, provided that the ceremony takes place in a venue open to the public. Depending on the number of guests and location, you may need to book in advance and have permission to use the location. Your celebrant will advise you as to the suitability of your proposed venue.
 

Q: Can I get married in my parents’ house?
A: Yes, your ceremony can take place in a private location such as your parents house or garden.
 

Q: On what days of the week can I get married?
A: Celebrant ceremonies are not restricted as regards time of day, or day of the week, month or year.
 

Q: How long does a Celebrant wedding ceremony take?
A: The duration of the ceremony will depend on the amount of content you choose to include. The more readings, music, and other elements you include can increase the duration, but it typically lasts about 25-35 minutes. If in doubt, please discuss the duration with your celebrant.
  

Q: What’s included in a Celebrant wedding ceremony?
A: A Celebrant wedding ceremony is typically made up of an introduction (traditional entrance if you wish), words on love and marriage, music, readings/poems, the telling of your Love Story, a few ceremony enhancements, vows, exchange of rings and a declaration of marriage. The beauty of a celebrant ceremony is that you can personalize your ceremony to suit you. In essence, you have a great deal of control as to how your unique ceremony can proceed.

Q: One of my parents is deceased and we would like to remember him/her in our ceremony. Can we?
A: Yes, it is quite common to acknowledge early on in the ceremony that there are loved ones who are no longer with us and to have a short pause to remember them with love. Some couples light a remembrance candle. Please discuss this with your celebrant because different celebrants will have different approaches.

Q: How much does a Celebrant wedding ceremony cost?
A: Typically you can expect a guideline fee in the region of €450 - €500

Fees may vary from celebrant to celebrant, particularly if the venue is some distance away, as the celebrant will need to add expenses such as travel, and possibly accommodation, costs.

Q: How is booking confirmed?

A: Your ceremony date is confirmed when we receive a non-refundable booking deposit of €250 at your initial consultation. A contract outlining our Terms & Conditions will be sent to you prior to this meeting. The remaining balance is paid one month before the scheduled ceremony.

Q: What is a Naming Ceremony?

A: Throughout history, in countries all over the world, ceremonies have been used to mark and celebrate important events in people’s lives. A baby naming is an opportunity for parents to gather with family and friends and officially name their child and welcome them into their community.

At the Naming/Welcoming ceremony the parents have the opportunity to declare publicly their love for their child and their aspirations for the child’s future. It is a beautiful way of introducing their child to their family and community. You can make this declaration among family and friends in a meaningful and significant ceremony. 

Our ceremonies are very personal and your celebrant will work with you to tailor the right ceremony for you and your child/children. Some people replace a traditional christening or baptism with a naming ceremony.

Q: Where can we have our Naming & Welcoming Ceremony?

A: Many people choose to hold the ceremonies in their own homes or gardens. Otherwise they are normally held in a local hotel or restaurant, sometimes people opt for outside in a park or woods.

Q: What is the structure of the ceremony?

A: A ceremony will usually consist of the following elements;

• An introduction and welcome.
• Some words about the joys and responsibilities of being a parent and the potential of the child we are welcoming.
• Words on the importance of the support of the wider family and
  community.
• Lighting of candles by grandparents to symbolize the two strands of the family to which the child belongs.
• A declaration of commitment/vows to the child from the parent(s).
• A formal naming (including the meaning of the child’s name).
• The introduction and explanation of the role of Godparents or guides.
• Readings (poetry, prose or specially written words) from family and or friends.
• The giving of symbolic/personal gifts (ie. name plaque or engraved yoyo).
• Music (sometimes a family member or friend will perform or play a recording).
• A closing thanks and farewell to all those in attendance.
• A memory/scrap book for the child where people can make comments and wishes and add drawings/photos etc.

Q: How long does a ceremony typically last for?

A: Naming/Welcoming ceremonies typically take anything from 20 mins – 30 mins. It’s up to you and depends on how much content you wish to include in your ceremony.

Q: How do we organize a ceremony and book a celebrant?

A: Celebrants can be booked up a year or more in advance, for weddings or other ceremonies, particularly on weekends. Give as much notice as possible to secure your date

It is always a good idea to contact a celebrant to discuss their availability before committing to a venue. 

Your celebrant will arrange a meeting with you and will be happy to explain how it all works, including the possible content of your ceremony.

Q: How much does a Naming & Welcoming ceremony cost?

A: Celebrants services vary and do not have a fixed fee rate – please discuss with your celebrant. Typically you can expect a fee in the region of €300 - €450, but different celebrants will also have travel costs to meetings and ceremonies to factor into their costs so fees may vary.

Q: How is booking confirmed?

A: Your ceremony date is confirmed when we receive a non-refundable booking deposit of €250 at your initial consultation. A contract outlining our Terms & Conditions will be sent to you prior to this meeting. The remaining balance is paid one month before the scheduled ceremony.

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