Please note I am retiring as a wedding celebrant at the end of 2024.
So what exactly is a humanist wedding?
A humanist wedding ceremony is a secular wedding ceremony and is very much about you, the couple – it’s about two people celebrating their love for each other and making a commitment to one another in the company of those who are closest to them. It allows your family and friends to gather together as a community with you on your wedding day.
It is a non-religious ceremony designed to be a positive option for those who live their lives without religion, a secular life. It is typically made up of an introduction (traditional bridal entrance if you wish), words on love and marriage, music, readings, a symbolic ritual or two, vows, marriage declaration, exchange of rings, signing of the register and closing words – you can personalise your ceremony to suit you.
Can you marry us legally?
Yes I can. I am accredited by the Humanist Association of Ireland and as such am on the list of registered marriage solemnisers in Ireland – this means I am authorised to legally marry you on the day in a secular ceremony once you have given a minimum of 3 months’ notice of your intention to marry to a HSE (Health Service Executive) registrar and have all paperwork in order with them first.
How do I contact the HSE?
There are HSE registrars in every county and you can contact them by phone or make an appointment through their online system. More information here on their website.
Do you marry same sex couples?
Yes.
How far ahead do we need to book you?
As early as possible is a good idea. And you also need to have me booked before you have your appointment with the HSE as you will need to give them the name of your solemniser.
Where can we have our wedding ceremony?
In order for me to marry you legally, the ceremony must take place at a recognisable address and that venue must be open to the public.
Can we get married outdoors?
Yes, once it is in a garden or an area that is part of the venue as described above.
What is the Marriage Registration Form?
This is a document that you will be given by the HSE registrar you are dealing with once you have provided them with all the information and paperwork they need. It must come with you to the venue on your wedding day as it is document that we sign on the day. It is signed by you (both parties to the marriage), your two witnesses and me.
Can anyone act as a witness?
Yes, once they are over 18. When you have your appointment with the HSE you must give them the names and dates of birth of your witnesses.
Do we meet with you?
Yes. Generally speaking I meet with couples about six months before the wedding day. We can meet by Zoom or in person. If you have any questions before then I’d be happy to chat with you on the phone. We can also chat again in the few weeks before the big day if you’d like to talk through the final draft of your script.
Will you write our ceremony script?
Yes, with input from you. When we meet I will talk you through a script template and discuss the various options you have to personalise it to make it your own. I’ll give you lots of options for readings and symbolic rituals. We will then work together over the following months to finalise the script.
Do you include our story?
Absolutely if you want to – it’s one of the options we’ll discuss, but that’s very much up to you. Some couples do include a piece about how they met and how they got to this point… about to say ‘I do’, including a bit about what they love about each other.
Do we have to have a traditional entrance procession?
That is a personal choice entirely. Most weddings do start with a traditional bridal entrance, but couples do all sorts of different things, such as coming in together, a bride coming in with both parents, not making an entrance at all – it’s entirely up to you.
What about music during the ceremony?
Music really enhances a ceremony and allows you to personalise the occasion by making your own choices. Live music is wonderful if that’s possible, but recorded music works fine too.
What about readings and rituals?
By carefully selecting readings and rituals you can really personalise your ceremony. When we meet I’ll explain the various rituals to you and I’ll also make suggestions for readings, but you are also very welcome to make your own suggestions.
Can we include a remembrance for loved ones who have died?
Yes, just let me know when we meet if you’d like to do this and I’ll give you some suggested wording. It can be generic or you can name particular people. Sometimes people have a remembrance candle and a photograph of loved ones on a table during the ceremony.
Can we have prayers or religious readings?
Prayers and readings that reference god, a spirit world or afterlife are not suitable for a humanist [secular] wedding ceremony.
What about religious music?
If there is some religious music you’d like to include just let me know, but in instrumental form as religious words are not appropriate.
Do we need to bring props for the rituals?
Yes. If you decide to go with the unity candle ceremony for example, you’ll need 3 x candles either in a floral arrangement or in stands. Or if you are doing the sand ceremony you’ll need to bring the sand and containers.
Do you have any references from couples you’ve already married?
You’ll find lots of photos and testimonials from couples I have married on the Wedding Gallery & Thank-you’s page.
And you can see a few video clips here.
How much does it cost?
The full cost to you is €590 of which €500 goes to me and €90 goes directly to the Humanist Association of Ireland.
How do we book you?
The best thing to do is to email me on siobhan@siobhanwalls.com. Please include your date and venue in the subject line. I always try to respond to emails within 24 hours, though this can be longer over a weekend as I will likely be busy conducting ceremonies.
Do you travel to all parts of the country?
I live in north Dublin and am happy to travel to venues about an hour’s drive from Dublin 13.
What happens next?
If I am available I will respond with more details about how the process works. I’ll ask you for any further information I need and I will hold the date for you for one week.
Assuming you want to go ahead with the booking, let me know within one week. I will then confirm the date in my diary and send you on an email with details of next steps to fully confirm your booking.
I’ll send a Terms & Conditions document and I’ll ask you both to confirm that you have read, understood and accept those T&C’s.
I’ll send an invoice and ask for a €100 booking deposit to be paid to me and a €90 contribution to be paid to the Humanist Association of Ireland – I’ll give you a link where you can do that.
Once the booking has been fully confirmed, you can expect to hear from me again about six months before your wedding day to set up a meeting.
If I am not available, I will let you know and suggest you try other celebrants on humanism.ie.