Wedding Wednesday: Answering Your Common Wedding Ceremony Questions, Part Two [Episode 107]

Podcast

If you’ve ever had a question about wedding ceremonies in Ireland, this is for you! Join us for part 2 of 3, where guest experts are answering your most common wedding ceremony questions. This week’s theme is all about wedding ceremony content! 

THANK YOU to this week’s guest experts:

Soulful Ceremonies, Catherine O Connor, Pat Clarke-Browne, Celebrancy by Rebecca, and Celebrant Lisa

 

 

Episode breakdown

What are some simple ways to personalise my wedding ceremony? 

Medbh Boyle of Soulful Ceremonies answers: 

There are lots of directions you could go in, but the most important aspect is to be honest with yourselves about what you do and don’t like, what’s most important to you (to be religious or spiritual, romantic or playful – sometimes it’s a balance of all of those).

When it comes to the elements, you’ll look at readings, music or rituals. With all of those it’s about having a conversation about why you’re including them, who you’re including. Let your celebrant know a bit more about your life and be curious and open to exploring. 

Never include anything that makes you cringe! 

Most of all, really try and enjoy it. 

 

Are there any special ways to include my children in my ceremony?

Catherine O Connor answers: 

There are lots of ways! Reading a poem, lighting the unity candles, you could have them do a ring warming, they can participate in the celtic handfasting (by either having their hands tied with your hands or by bringing ribbons up that represent them). Another option is to do a sand ceremony! A nice one for younger children is at the end of the ceremony, when you are pronounced married, little bells or bubbles are given for them to use at the end. It depends on their age, but it’s really lovely to give them their own little jobs to do because it makes them feel special! 

 

How can we include guests in our ceremony? What about those who are too shy to do a reading?

Pat Clarke-Browne answers:

Fun options like swapping “beer men” for page boys. 

Some more traditional options: a poem, reading or lighting the unity candles. If you’re doing a celtic handfasting… before the ceremony, guests are given a ribbon and then they are introduced during the ceremony, the symbol of the colour of the ribbon is shared. This is great for someone who is shy!

Ring bearing or the tying of the ribbon can be allocated to friends if no little guests are present. 

Other ideas: bringing up the sand for sand ceremony, distributing chocolates for a chocolate ceremony, or even small bottle if the couple is going to take a shot before they tie the knot. 

It is the celebrant’s role to guide the couple to ensure that they get their day, their way. 

 

How many songs do we need in our ceremony?

Rebecca Kemp of Celebrancy by Rebecca answers:

You need 2: the entrance music and the exit music. These are usually two different pieces of music. A slower one for the entrance and a more upbeat, celebratory song for the exit. 

You may also want to choose music for the moments where there isn’t much talking – like during a ritual (a sand pouring, and so on) that will last for more than 30 seconds to a minute, or during a certificate signing. Another point where it’s nice to have music is before the ceremony even starts, when your guests are arriving. 

Feel free to discuss options with your officiant or your celebrant, and of course with the person playing music for you. They’ll be able to advise you! 

 

Are there any special ways to incorporate my Irish tradition into my ceremony? 

Lisa O Brien of Celebrant Lisa answers: 

We have a wealth of Irish tradition and there are so many ways to incorporate Irishness into the ceremony. 

  • The handfasting ceremony – it’s a physical binding as well as spiritual binding of the couple. This is where we get the term ‘tying the knot’. 
  • The ring warming – this is where the couple’s wedding rings are passed among their guests and each guest is asked to hold the rings and make a silent wish or blessing for the couple before passing them on. 
  • The oathing stone – a lovely old tradition which comes from a time in history before we had wedding rings. The couple will hold the stone while casting their vows. It’s where we get the term ‘set in stone’ or even a ‘rock solid relationship’.