Love conquered all
Love conquered all when Carla and Hugh were forced to abandon their wedding plans in July only to discover that Jacquie could re-imagine a beautiful and meaningful ceremony for them in the warmth of their new home. The ceremony took place in the cosy surroundings of their garden amongst close family and friends and their beloved cat Frank. Carla and Hugh chose a ring warming ceremony and created a magical time capsule which they will open and share on their first anniversary.
Grief and healing
Serendipity Celebrants recently spent a day working with a specialist Grief Counsellor discussing new learnings in the field of grief and healing at times of loss. This was an extremely enlightening experience and we found the all new insights in this area so helpful in our work with bereaved families. The team at Serendipity Celebrants recognises the importance of staying up to date with worldwide developments and are committed to delivering best practice in all their ceremonies.
Small is beautiful
At Serendipity Celebrants we are adapting and recreating our ceremonies to meet our clients needs during these ever changing times. Be assured we are responsive and supportive if you have to change your plans. Re-imagining ceremonies for fewer numbers in intimate settings is a trend we believe may continue, and you know what they say … small is beautiful!
Unique Memorial Ceremonies
For many of us who have lost a loved one in these current times and were deprived of the chance to mark their death with a celebration of life we are here to help you do just that. Whenever the time is right for you and your family we at Serendipity Celebrants can create a unique memorial ceremony for you. With a curated selection of poems, readings and music to choose from we do all the work. Mind you, you never know what you would find in a spotify account or music selection of your loved one. We have plenty of ideas to share like candle ceremony, ritual remembrances, memory capsules, tree planting, ash scattering so just give us a call
Can a Celebrant legally marry you in Ireland?
Yes, a Celebrant can legally conduct your wedding ceremony in Ireland. Your wedding ceremony can be conducted by a Celebrant and the legal registration of your marriage can be done by a Registrar in a local registry office.
A Celebrant led wedding is where you decide to have your wedding ceremony as your public declaration of your love to family and friends in a ceremony designed specific to your values, your beliefs and your wishes. Couples will make an appointment in the local registry office to do the legal piece, the signing of the wedding papers on a day either before or after the wedding ceremony itself.
The advice we offer is to have a chat amongst yourselves and decide which is more important to you on your wedding day
Is it to have the ceremony of your dreams or is it to legally register your marriage?
If the ceremony of your dreams is the answer a Celebrant led wedding ceremony is the way to go. If to legally register your wedding is the answer a ceremony with a Solemniser or a ceremony in a registry office are your choices
Something else that will help with your decision is that with a celebrant led wedding there are no restrictions on Venue or day of the week. This is very relevant if you are choosing to have your ceremony in your own home, to elope or something like a wild wedding in the great outdoors.
A Wedding celebrant will officiate your marriage ceremony specific to your personal requests reflecting your values, your beliefs your wishes. In other words, your dream ceremony.
(see useful links below)
Can we confirm our commitment to each other without legal ties?
Absolutely yes you can. We can help you to design a wedding ceremony to reflect your values and your beliefs. As we say the most important part of any celebrant led wedding ceremony is the public declaration of your love to one another and the commitment of shared lifelong love and friendship.
There is no requirement to complete the legal wedding documents or the signing of a registry.
What is The difference between a Registrar and a Celebrant?
There are 5 key differences between a Registrar and a Celebrant
1. As professional wedding Celebrants we design, create and deliver a personalised ceremony reflecting you both, your love story and include your family and friends throughout the ceremony. A Registrar is obliged to deliver a standard ceremony and within a given time slot
2. A celebrant led ceremony will be as long or as short as you wish and we only ever do one ceremony in any given day. Registrars are required to work to a very strict time schedule and will conduct a number of wedding ceremonies in any one day
3. Celebrants do not complete the legal documentation, the signing of the registry. And you can be assured that because of the personalisation of your ceremony your guests will not even be aware that there is no signing of the marriage papers. We can design a wedding certificate for you to sign on the day for optics and pictures if you wish. A Registrar can legally complete the paperwork for the marriage documents.
4. A Celebrant can perform your ceremony in the location of your choice, you dream. Let your imagination run free! A registrar can only perform their services in a Registry Office or in a registered venue which must be a permanent structure with four walls and a roof.
5. In making the decision to have a Celebrant led wedding you will choose your Celebrant, someone who is the perfect match for you both. Who will work with you right up to your wedding day and with whom you will be at complete ease. A registrar is allocated to your ceremony by your registry office and unfortunately you do not get to choose the registrar nor is there any guarantee you will meet them in advance of the day.
(see useful links below)
Planning a destination wedding in Ireland?
Celebrant led weddings are the perfect choice for a destination wedding in Ireland. Are you an Irish couple living overseas and want to return home for your wedding ceremony and celebration? Are you a couple in love with Ireland and looking to have your wedding ceremony and celebration in Ireland? Or are you the ultimate romantic and looking to elope? One way or another we say a Celebrant led ceremony is ideal giving you all the flexibility and choices around your ceremony, location feel, tone and vibe. We can connect you with Ireland’s most beautiful, romantic and secret locations and destinations for your wedding ceremony (see useful links below)
Let us help you plan your Celebrant led Wedding
Feel free to contact us for a chat or a consultation no matter what stage you are at in the planning of your ceremony as we just love to hear of your wishes, dreams and love story so far. There is little that will shock us, scare us or put us off when it’s all in the name of love
Annie, Caroline, Elaine and Jacquie
Useful links
IECS https://www.iecs.ie/
WIPA https://www.wipa.org/ireland
HSE https://www2.hse.ie/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/how-to-get-married-in-ireland/how-to-get-married-in-ireland.html
Author Bio
Jacquie Marsh is a Co-Founder of Serendipity Celebrants, a qualified and practicing Family Celebrant and member of both IECS (Irish Ethical Celebrant Society) and WIPA (Wedding Industry Professionals Association) International.
As a lover of the great outdoors and with over 30 years in Events and Hospitality Jacquie knows the perfect locations for Celebrant Led weddings across Ireland and has conducted ceremonies on land and on sea, on mountains in valleys and almost anywhere in between.
So What exactly is a celebrant let wedding?
So what exactly IS a Celebrant led wedding?
If you are a couple trying to decide on what type of ceremony to have and who will perform it for you – read on and I’ll try and shed some light on the issue. There are so many choices out there it’s not surprising that you might be confused!
The phrase ‘Celebrant led wedding’ usually refers to wedding ceremonies that are performed outside the context of a particular religious faith. Now perhaps you thought that would simplify matters but there’s more. Within the realm of celebrants there is increasing choice. Some celebrants adhere to a particular set of values such as Spiritualists, Humanists, Pagans, Druids and Interfaith Ministers. If you don’t feel you fit into any one of these categories then an Independent Celebrant is the way to go.
So what does an Independent Civil Ceremony mean in reality?
Rather than seeing our ceremonies as being ‘alternative’ we believe they are ‘appropriate’ as we design them to your exact wishes. No two couples are the same and sometimes it’s only when we all sit down together to explore your values, wishes and dreams that you as a couple discover the most appropriate style of ceremony for you. So for a ceremony that is unique, personal and a joyous celebration of your love and union look no further.
What is included in an Independent Celebrant or Officiant led wedding ceremony?
Your love story is the centre-piece of the ceremony, from this everything flows. We can also incorporate readings, poetry, songs, prayers, and cultural traditions of your choice. The ceremony is further enhanced by ritual elements that symbolise your commitment to each other in marriage. These can include a celtic handfasting, a sand ceremony, a union candle ceremony, a wine box love letter ritual and a personal scent blending ceremony. You can even have your family and guests get involved in a beautiful ring warming or wishing stone ceremony. In truth the options are as endless as your imagination and we the team at Serendipity Celebrants love making your wildest dreams a reality.
Can we choose or write our own vows?
Yes and yes! Your exchange of vows is such an intimate space in your ceremony. Time seems to stand still while you both express your love and promises to each other. The beauty of our ceremonies is that you can choose exactly the words you want to say with no legal constraints. We particularly enjoy hearing the many and varied ways couples choose to say ‘I do’. And don’t worry, help is always at hand if you need some samples or ideas for your vows.
Where and when do these ceremonies take place?
Flexibility is paramount, so you have complete choice of:
- Location – be it a mountain top, beach, back-garden or beyond!
- Time – dawn, dusk or starlight, seven days a week.
- Size – be it an elopement wedding, street-wedding, micro-wedding or an epic wedding.
As Independent Celebrants we ensure you have control over every aspect of your ceremony while bringing lots of imagination and creativity to the planning and realization of the perfect celebration of your love and union.
So if you are a couple who is looking for a wedding ceremony that is more personal and meaningful, why not give us a call or drop us a mail – we’d be more than delighted to chat.
Author’s Bio Caroline Mc Namara
With a passion for celebrating all of life’s milestones and a love of making the smallest occasion into an event, being a celebrant is everything and more than I could ever dream. My motivation for training as a celebrant was my wish to offer choice. I embrace a world of diversity and inclusiveness and believe everyone deserves the opportunity to celebrate their lives in a personalised way that is as unique and individual as each and every one of us is.
Caroline is an Independent Civil Celebrant performing Weddings, Baby Namings, Coming of Age and Funeral ceremonies. She is part of the team at Serendipity Celebrants and is a member of the IECS (Irish Ethical Celebrants Society).