If you didn’t catch our first Q&A series with our Celebrants, you can find it here.
Today we’re sharing more insights into our top Irish Celebrants and Solemnisers – from how they write your marriage script to how they became celebrants in the first place…
Celebrant Lisa
Q. How do you work with couples to create the ceremony script?
A. A good celebrant understands that couples are not expected to know everything about ceremony content, and most do not. That is completely normal. The celebrant’s role is to guide them through the process with clarity, warmth, and reassurance.
Everything begins with a relaxed chat to get a sense of the couple’s personalities, the tone they love, and what matters most to them. There is no pressure to arrive with ideas prepared, because a good celebrant knows exactly how to draw out what is important.
Most celebrants then share a simple questionnaire that helps couples think about their ceremony in ways they may not have considered. It also gives them a chance to chat together about their preferences before they meet their celebrant for an in depth discussion.
In many cases, the celebrant will also be the couple’s registered solemniser, which means they can guide them smoothly through the legal requirements as well as the creative elements. From there, the celebrant crafts a bespoke ceremony script and invites the couple to review it. They can edit as much or as little as they like, with the celebrant offering support, reassurance, and helpful suggestions throughout.
My aim as Celebrant Lisa O’Brien is to create ceremonies that feel meaningful, personal, and completely true to each couple, while making the entire experience feel effortless from start to finish.
Pat Clarke-Browne Humanist Celebrant
Q. Are there any restrictions that we can’t have?
A. Humanist weddings do not involve any religious content, prayers, or mention of a god or the supernatural, just like ceremonies by HSE registrars they are non-religious and secular, reflecting the humanist belief that people can live ethical and fulfilling lives based on reason and humanity.
This means no mention of a god or god’s and no religious readings to adhere to the legal requirements under HSE accreditation as legal solemnisers.
Other than that, they can include many elements in common with religious ceremonies including remembering loved ones who have passed and memorial and family candles etc. The ceremony format is familiar and very customisable.
The focus of a Humanist ceremony is the couple, and your celebrant will work with you to make sure the ceremony reflects you and what you want on your wedding day.
I always try and incorporate an element of fun into the event and to keep my couples relaxed and ensure they enjoy their day as much as possible.
Ceremonies by Niamh
Q. How do you work with couples to create the ceremony script?
A. It all starts with a good chat — in person or online, whichever suits you best. I like to get a real feel for you both… who you are, how you met, what kind of atmosphere you’d love for your day. Whether you already have a theme in mind or no clue where to start, that’s totally fine — we’ll figure it out together.
We’ll talk about your venue (inside or outdoors), your wedding party, the music that makes you smile, and whether you’d like to include family or friends in the ceremony. Then I’ll send you my detailed questionnaire — it breaks down every part of the ceremony and gives you lots of options so you can make it as simple or as full of meaning as you want.
You’ll also get plenty of ideas for readings, poems, vows, and little touches like unity candles or handfasting— all the bits that make it yours.
Once you send everything back, I gather it all up and start shaping your ceremony. I’ll write your first draft, send it over for you to read, and we’ll fine-tune it together until it feels just right.
We’ll have a final version agreed at least two weeks before the big day — but I’m always happy to make those last-minute tweaks. It’s your story — I just help tell it beautifully.
Keane Harley
Q. What do you think makes a memorable wedding ceremony?
A. What makes a wedding ceremony memorable is authenticity and inclusiveness. The ceremony should be the highlight of the day, and when done properly it remains in the memory of the couple and of the guests as being something very special. The number or novelty of elements within the ceremony only make it memorable if the feeling is right in the first place. That feeling comes through reflecting the couple and their community of family and friends with real understanding of them.
A memorable ceremony is authentic, genuine, reflects the couple’s story and style, and leaves everybody feeling uplifted. The participants will feel that they have partaken in and witnessed a unique and meaningful event in the couple’s life. It is the role of the celebrant to make this happen by being professional, knowing the couple, helping all the participants feel relaxed, and by conducting the ceremony with warmth and humility.
There are of course other aspects that can make the ceremony memorable like the setting or venue, which can be spectacular, intimate, majestic, or simply unique. Time of year or season can also make it stand out, like a Christmas or Samhain or Solstice wedding. Unexpected events can also leave a particular wedding in the memory long after. These are not what you plan for, but the celebrant may need to handle them, sometimes funny, sometimes awkward, sometimes both, like the toddler who said “Uh oh!” just as her mum, the bride, was pausing before saying “I do!”. Pretty unforgettable.
Legal Celebrant Ireland – Jenni Harrison
Q. Why did you become a wedding celebrant?
A. Since 2006, I’ve worked as a singer in events, I did a lot of work with one of Ireland’s leading wedding planners. In 2018, she asked if I knew anyone who could officiate an Irish castle wedding for an American Jewish / Irish Catholic couple. They were looking for a wedding that honoured both faith traditions and their Irish / American story.
I had a chat with the couple about what their ceremony could look like, with the thought in my mind that a friend of theirs could lead it, as they planned to complete the legal paperwork in Boston before coming to Ireland for their “show” wedding. Half way through this initial chat, they asked if I would lead it myself. That moment truly changed my life. I was both terrified and excited, but their trust gave me the confidence to say yes.
I loved every minute of the planning and the day itself. After that, I suddenly found myself in great demand for interfaith and non-religious life ceremonies mainly weddings, funerals & baby namings.
Since then, I’ve become qualified to conduct legal weddings and am registered with the HSE. What began as a side project has become my main profession and I absolutely love it. It’s a real privilege to be trusted with a couple’s story. My priority is always to craft a wedding ceremony that reflects their unique journey … a meaningful, inclusive celebration that becomes a cherished chapter in their book of life.
Hart Ceremonies
Q. How would you describe your ceremony style?
A. I’d describe my ceremony style as relaxed, modern, and completely centred around you as a couple. My goal is always to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable, connected, and genuinely part of the moment. I focus on crafting something that feels natural, meaningful, and authentically “you.”
As a Celebrant, I love working closely with my couples from the very beginning. Getting to know your story, your personalities, and the little details that make your relationship unique helps me shape a ceremony that reflects who you are, not just the traditional expectations of what a wedding “should” look like. Whether you envision something light-hearted, heartfelt, subtly humourous, or beautifully simple, I’ll guide you through every step to create a ceremony that feels right for you both.
Together, we’ll design a moment that not only celebrates your love, but also sets the tone for the rest of your day—relaxed, joyful, and full of meaning. I’m here to support you, make the process easy and enjoyable, and ensure that when you stand there on your wedding day, everything feels natural, personal, and perfectly yours.
If you’re looking for a legal Celebrant who brings a modern, refreshing approach and loves collaborating with couples to create something truly special, then I’d be honoured to be part of your day.
Sarah Donovan
Q. How would you describe your ceremony style?
A. When couples ask me whether my weddings are formal, relaxed, traditional, or modern, the truth is: they’re a blend. I don’t believe in one‑size‑fits‑all ceremonies. Your love story is too unique for that. Instead, I listen closely to each couple’s story and craft a ceremony that feels like them — whether that means elegant vows under an arch, laughter spilling through a garden, or a mix of both.
Tradition can be tricky. Someone once quipped that “tradition is peer pressure from dead people.” It makes me smile, but I don’t think traditions need to be feared. They’re only limiting if you follow them blindly. When chosen with intention they can be powerful. A handfasting, a ring‑warming, or even a favourite family reading can connect generations while being reimagined in a fresh, modern way.
My ceremonies are bespoke, warm, and inclusive. They can carry the dignity of formality when the moment calls for it, or the relaxed joy of storytelling and humour when that feels right. Sometimes they borrow from ancient practices, sometimes they’re entirely contemporary — but always with purpose, never obligation.
Above all, I want your wedding to feel like you. Whether you’re weaving in cultural rituals, inventing new ones, or skipping them altogether, my role is to hold space where everyone feels seen, valued, and celebrated. Formal or relaxed, traditional or modern — the style is yours, and together we’ll make it unforgettable.
Sunrise To Sunset Ceremonies – Gerard Doody
Q. How do you work with couples to create the ceremony script?
A. As a ceremony officiant, my primary goal is to ensure that the ceremony truly belongs to the couple capturing their story, preferences, and vision.
When our initial meeting happens, I approach it with the intention of truly listening. I encourage couples to share their hopes, ideas, and any special traditions or themes they want to include.
After our initial chat, I send out a comprehensive pre-consultation form. The questions are in-depth, designed to gather insight on readings, music, rituals, vows, and any unique elements the couple would like to incorporate. The information provided gives me a thorough understanding of their expectations and helps me honour their individuality in the script.
With the completed form and notes from our discussions, I begin crafting the first draft of the ceremony script. My focus is to weave together the couple’s preferences, stories, and chosen elements into a cohesive and meaningful ceremony. Every section from the welcome and readings to the exchange of vows and rings is tailored to reflect the couple’s personalities and relationship journey.
Once I have prepared the initial draft, I share it with the couple for their review. This is an essential step, as it allows them to experience the ceremony in its entirety and suggest any changes or additions. We work together closely, making revisions until every word and moment feels right to them. The collaborative nature of this process ensures that the final script is a true expression of the couple’s love and commitment.
“It’s Always Your Ceremony”
Weddings by Rhona
Q. Are there any restrictions that we can’t have?
A. When couples ask me if there are any restrictions on their ceremony, I always start with the reassuring bit: as an Entheos celebrant, I can create either a religious or a non-religious wedding. You’re not limited to a particular belief system, style, or structure. Your ceremony can be spiritual, symbolic, simple, traditional, modern, or a mix of everything that feels true to you.
The only limitations come from the legal side, and these apply to every registered celebrant in Ireland.
For a legal marriage, the HSE requires that your venue must:
Have a fixed, identifiable address
Be a permanent building or attached to one
Be open to the public for the duration of the ceremony
Be safe, suitable and dignified
There is also one important clarification: even though I’m authorised to perform both religious and non-religious ceremonies, I cannot legally marry a couple in a public state building used for government or official business. That includes things like council buildings, government offices, Garda stations, or any space designated solely for state services. These locations don’t meet the legal criteria for a registered ceremony venue.
Outside of these legal requirements, your ceremony is wonderfully flexible. Your words, your rituals, your tone, your story — that’s where the freedom lies.
Weddings by Rhona X is simply where all of that comes together, creating a ceremony that feels personal, meaningful, and genuinely yours.
Brian Twomey Wedding Celebrant
Q. How would you describe your ceremony style?
A. Couples often ask, “What’s your ceremony style?” Think of it like ice cream: I do have a favourite flavour — natural, heartfelt, and just a bit fun. But ultimately, you’re in charge of choosing what suits your day.
My ceremonies are warm and genuine, designed to inspire connection, smiles, and sometimes a burst of laughter. Still, this day is about you — your style, your story, and what matters most. Do you love all things modern and personal? Perfect; we’ll highlight your unique personalities and history together. Drawn to tradition? Let’s blend in rituals, readings, or small symbolic details that are meaningful for you. Prefer elegance and a touch more formality? We can create a structured ceremony that still feels inviting and fresh.
Most couples seem to land somewhere in the middle: a relaxed atmosphere, heartfelt words, a splash of tradition, and just enough fun to keep everyone engaged. There’s never a single “right” approach — only what feels true to who you are. That’s the beauty of a bespoke ceremony: it’s shaped by you, embracing everything you want, and leaving out what doesn’t feel right.
Your ceremony should sound and feel like you — not your celebrant. So, together, we’ll craft something special, personal, meaningful and deeply memorable, whatever your individual “flavour” may be.
