Celebrate Your Wedding Day
Your Way
Humanist Wedding Celebrant Ealish Whillock - I am an accredited celebrant with the Humanist Association of Ireland and a HSE Registered Solemniser of Marriage, I can conduct the all-important legalities and join you in matrimony on your Big Day.
Your ceremony is at the very heart of your wedding day, so let me put you at the centre of yours. Whether your vision is for a traditional ceremony with a more sentimental feel, or you envisage embracing your own personal style and rhythm, either way, I will help bring it to life.
Throughout your ceremonial planning process, I will be available to you, and on your wedding day, I’ll be there an hour beforehand to liaise with you, your wedding planner, the venues co-ordinator, photographers, videographers and musicians, ensuring your humanist wedding ceremony is everything you had hoped for - and more!
Ealish Whillock
Legal Celebrant
How do we Book Your Celebrancy Services?
Step 1. Decide on your preferred wedding date and provisionally book your venue.
Step 2. Check my availability and get a quote by either filling out the contact form below or email me, Ealish Whillock, at ealish@humanistcelebration.com or just give me a quick call on +353 851764489 to have a no-obligation chemistry check!
Step 3. After providing me with your personal details, I will email you your booking form to complete.
Step 4. Once booked, I will send you lots of ceremony info, such as ceremony enhancement suggestions, inspiration on how to create your own personal vows, along with a reading list and secular reflection ideas.
Step 5. Now it’s time to get creative and arrange our first ceremony consultation.
How much are Your Wedding Celebrancy Services?
I live in Killarney Co. Kerry which means counties Cork and Limerick are just on my doorstep. But I’m also happy to travel to Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, Clare, Kilkenny, South Galway and South Kildare.
My celebrancy fees for weddings range from €450 and above, depending on which county you’re looking to hold your ceremony in, and my quote will always include any expenses such as possible accommodation costs or travel. Also, the Humanist Association of Ireland charge a contribution fee of €90, which is payable via their website.
Get in touch
with me
Please feel free to contact me to check my availability, get a quote or simply find out more information.
FAQ's, Ceremony Tips
& Advice
What Happens at a Humanist Wedding Ceremony?
Humanist ceremonies can be personalised to suit you, but the basic format is as follows:
- Wedding Processional
- Introduction and welcoming of guests
- Memorial for significant others and/or the lighting of a memorial candle
- Your “love story”
- Words on love and marriage
- Legal declaration of no impediment
- Legal vows " the I do's"
- Exchange of couple’s personal vows or promises to each other
- Exchange of rings
- Couples are pronounced married and maybe share a cheeky kiss!
- Signing the HSE Marriage Registration Form
- Some closing words
- Wedding Recessional
Interspersed with these elements, is music, which can be live or recorded, along with readings delivered by family or friends. And of course, you can add a couple of ceremony enhancements or rituals.
Can we Personalise our Wedding Ceremony?
There are many ways we can personalise your ceremony. For example, I love the art of storytelling so together, we will create your “love story”. This story celebrates your unique relationship to date. For many, this is one of the most important elements of the ceremony as it captures the endearing, heartfelt moments of magic that you have shared, be they, your first impressions of each other, your first date or your proposal. Typically, your story will evoke a lovely mixture of chuckles and happy tears - leaving you and your guests feeling “the love” and feeling uplifted.
Also, any enhancement or ritual that truly resonate with you can be personalised, along with your vows, which should reflect who you are as a couple.
What Wedding Ceremony Rituals can we Include?
Different wedding rituals or enhancements can be sprinkled throughout your ceremony - normally 2 to 3. You should choose rituals that resonate with you both. For instance, some couples give thanks to their parents by presenting them with a gift or a rose. Perhaps you’d like to celebrate your two families coming together by having family members light your outer unity candles or have your guests warm your rings with their good wishes, before you exchange them.
If you have children, a nice way to mark you coming together as a family is to each pour sand during a sand blending ceremony. Maybe, you’re both from coastal towns, had your first date on a beach or you proposed there.
To symbolise you “tying the knot” just incorporate the hand-fasting or set your marriage in stone by “oathing the stone”.
You may wish to celebrate your unconditional love, by simply including a love lock ceremony, giving each other a rose or sealing private love letters to one another inside your very own anniversary box.
Being wine enthusiasts, you might even want to toast your new life together or share a Quaich.
There are many more rituals, such as the coin or tree planting ceremonies, and if you have any cultural or family traditions of your own, we can also look to develop those.
Who can Take Part in our Wedding Ceremony?
Anyone you wish to include in your ceremony can take part. Be they your own children, family members, friends or even your pets. I will guide you through the numerous meaningful ways in which they can be involved.
Can we Remember Family or Friends with a Memorial?
Yes, it is quite common to acknowledge, earlier on in the ceremony, that there are loved ones who are no longer with us, but are dearly missed. Some couples remember them by lighting a remembrance candle, but we can discuss the various approaches you could take during our consultation.
Are Humanist Weddings Legally Binding in Ireland?
Yes, celebrants accredited by the Humanist Association of Ireland are all HSE registered solemnisers of marriage and therefore, can legally solemnise your marriage by signing your Marriage Registration Form (MRF) during your wedding ceremony with you and your two witnesses.
If you are looking to have a legally binding wedding ceremony, you must give notice to a HSE Registrar’s Office of your intention to marry in Ireland and obtain your MRF. The notice period is 3 months unless exceptional circumstances apply. Please refer to: Click Here.
What is the Difference Between a Civil Marriage Service Conducted by a HSE Registrar and a Humanist Ceremony?
These approaches are similar, in that, they are both legal and non-religious services, however humanist wedding ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular because they offer couples a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their love and commitment to each other in a very personal and meaningful way. You see, each humanist ceremony is composed and created in close consultation with you - the happy couple. And with one of the tenets of humanism being a tolerance for others who hold different belief systems - everyone feels included during a humanist ceremony.
Also, the HSE only offer their services from Monday to Friday, while a humanist wedding ceremony can be conducted on any day of the week. Another important aspect to consider when having a humanist ceremony, is that your venue does not have to be on the list of venues, approved by the Registrar General. For humanist ceremonies to legally take place, your venue just needs to be open to the public, hold public liability insurance and have a registered address. This means the type of venue options and outdoor locations increase considerably when choosing a humanist ceremony!
Are Same-Sex Marriages Legally Binding in Ireland?
Yes, same-sex marriages have been legally binding in Ireland since November 16th, 2015. Humanists believe in equality for all, so I would be delighted to legally marry you both and I look forward to discussing wedding ceremony ideas with you.
Can I Hold my Humanist Wedding Ceremony Outside?
Yes, but if you’d like to have a legally binding ceremony then your venue or location must be open to the public, have public liability insurance in place and be clearly identifiable by an address. Also, your venue does not have to be approved by the Registrar General, which means that the type of venue options and outdoor locations increase considerably! I can advise you as to the suitability of your proposed venue or location.
According to the Amendment of section 59D of Principal Act “(1A) In subsection (1) a ‘place that is open to the public’ means—
(a) a building that is open to the public, or
(b) a courtyard, garden, yard, field or piece of ground that is open to the public and lying near to and usually enjoyed with the building referred to in paragraph (a).”
Can I get Married in my own Home?
If you want a humanist ceremony that includes the act of legal solemnisation of the marriage it cannot take place in a private location. If the house is a private home and not usually open to the public, then a legal wedding ceremony may not take place there. You can however opt to have a symbolic ceremony in any location, and I can advise you about the options available.
What Days of the Week can Humanist Wedding Ceremonies be Conducted?
On any day - Humanist celebrants are not restricted with regards to the time of day or day of the week.
How Long does a Humanist Wedding Ceremony last?
The duration of your ceremony will depend on the amount of content you choose to incorporate. The more readings, music, and other elements you include will increase its duration, but it typically lasts about 25-35 minutes.
How do I Organise my Wedding in Ireland When Living Abroad?
You can obtain a form from a registry office which allows you to give notice of your intent to marry by post – Click Here
Disclaimer: Please note that these topics are for general information purposes only. The answers are correct to the best of our belief and knowledge at present but are not definitive. Different HAI accredited celebrants take slightly different approaches, so please speak to a celebrant directly if you have a query or concern.
