Just ask!
Celebrant Ceremonies: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are a few frequently asked questions about celebrancy ceremonies. If you have a question of your own, please don't hesitate to ask!
What is a celebrant?
A celebrant is someone who officiates (or leads) a ceremony. These ceremonies can be relating to a whole variety of milestone events, from weddings to naming ceremonies to graduations.
Can you marry people?
No, a celebrant has no legal rights to marry couples in Ireland. A couple must carry out this part of the marriage process with a registrar before their celebrant ceremony.
How do I register with a registrar?
You will need to do this at your nearest registrar's office. Registrars in Ireland are employed by the HSE (Health Service), so their offices may be in a hospital (this may be where you get married also).
You must give the registrar's office three months' notice of your intention to marry. This applies to all couples getting married, not just ones using a celebrant. However, it is best to do this as soon as you can - particularly at the moment with Covid and the HSE computer hack creating a backlog.
How much does it cost?
To give a registrar notice of your intent to marry costs €200. There is then another fee for couples who wish to use the registrar services to marry. The cost for this varies depending on when and where you would like the registrar to marry you.
Can I get married anywhere?
Choosing a celebrant to lead your wedding ceremony means you have freedom to choose where you get married. You are not restricted by a building size or the location of a building. Some venues require registrars to pre-approve them before the registrar will agree to a marriage being held there. None of these restrictions apply to a celebrant.
Do I need to know anything else?
More information on the marriage process in Ireland can be found on these websites:
Irish Government website
Health Service Executive website
Citizen's Information website
If you can't marry me, why choose a celebrant?
There are many reasons to choose a celebrant, and I've listed them in another blog post here! But a few main reasons couples choose a celebrant is:
- they can enjoy a personalised ceremony from start to finish
- they can have their wedding in the evening or at weekends
- they can hold their wedding in an unusual venue or setting
- they are free to incorporate a variety of rituals and readings
- family members and friends can be included in the ceremony
How long does the ceremony last?
Depending on what type of ceremony you are having, the average ceremony length is half an hour. This applies to wedding ceremonies, but weddings can last up to an hour if a couple had special requests for readings, music or rituals.
Can our children be involved in the ceremony?
Yes, children are welcome to be involved in the ceremony. If you have an idea of how you would like them involved, we can incorporate this into the ceremony. Alternatively, we can discuss different options of how they might like to take part.
How far in advance should we book you?
For a wedding, couples usually book at least a year in advance of their wedding date. Shorter times can be accommodated.