Creating Perfectly Personalised Heartfelt Memories with You
Hello, my name is Ealish Whillock, I am a humanist wedding celebrant based in Kerry and accredited by the Humanist Association of Ireland. In addition, I am a HSE Registered Solemniser of Marriage. As a result, I can conduct the all-important legalities and join you in matrimony on your Big Day.
Most importantly, with your ceremony being at the very heart of your wedding day, I will put you at the centre of yours. Because whatever your vision, I will help bring it to life.
Similarly, throughout your ceremonial planning process, I will be available to you. Moreover, on your wedding day, I’ll be there an hour before your ceremony starts so, I can liaise with your venue and other wedding suppliers. This way, your humanist wedding ceremony will be everything you had hoped for and more. Making yours a truly memorable occasion!
Call me Now on +353 851764489 for your Free Consultation, Check my Availability and let’s see how we can make your day extraordinary!
Ealish Whillock
Legal Celebrant
With 160+ 5-Star Reviews see Why Couples Choose Me…
How do we Book You as our Humanist Wedding Celebrant?
Step 1. Pick your preferred wedding date and provisionally book your venue.
Step 2. Call me on +353 851764489 for your Free Consultation, Check my Availability and let’s see how we can make your day extraordinary!
Step 3. Email me ealish@humanistcelebration.com with your personal details. Then I will email you a booking form which contains my simple 4-step booking process.
Step 4. Once you're fully booked, I will email you lots of ceremony enhancement information, inspiration on how to create personal vows, and a reading list along with secular reflection ideas.
Step 5. Now, it’s time to get creative and arrange our first ceremony consultation.
Your Love Story Deserves the Best
I conduct Only One Wedding per day and limit my bookings each year so check my availability now.
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, Clare and South Galway.
My humanist wedding celebrant fees range from €500 and above, depending on the location of your ceremony. My quotes always include any travel costs or expenses which may be incurred on your day. Also, to promote the work of the not-for-profit Humanist Association of Ireland, they require a contribution fee of €90, which is payable via their website.
See Why Couples Trust me to Create Their Perfect Ceremony
Ceremonies I create are as unique as the couple it celebrates. My goal is to craft a ceremony that feels like home - filled with love, laughter, and meaning. But don’t just take my word for it – here are a few of the reasons why my couples rave about their unforgettable experience...
Bespoke Ceremonies with Personalised storytelling
“Working with Ealish was simply a dream. After just one meeting, she’d crafted a ceremony so perfect that it left us speechless. It was like she had known us for years, capturing exactly what we envisioned.” - Bernie O’Flaherty
Inclusive and Welcoming Approach
“Ealish’s attention to detail was repeated in our flawless ceremony which had the exact balance of laughter and tears. She is a professional who led our ceremony with a relaxed confidence that made everyone feel at home.” - Niall Campbell
Expert Guidance with Seamless Stress-Free Planning
“Rest assured, with Ealish as your celebrant you’ll be in very experienced and capable hands. She was there every step of the way offering information and support on all aspects of our marriage. We were blown away by her attention to detail.” - Sam Lake
Emotional Connections and Engaging Guest Experience
“Our ceremony evoked tears, laughter and every emotion in between. It was so personal, warm and full of love. It was informal, relaxed and engaging with our guests and we had so many people comment on how wonderful Ealish was - that day and since.” - Síle Brehony
Calm and Professional Delivery
“Ealish was so kind, calm, personable and professional. We still have family and friends telling us how it was the best wedding ceremony they’ve ever been to. Ealish performed the ceremony so beautifully, she had our guests laughing and crying along with us.” - Naomi O Connell
Humanist Weddings Tips & Advice
What Happens at a Humanist Wedding Ceremony?
Humanist wedding ceremonies can be personalised to suit you, but the basic format is as follows:
- Wedding processional
- Introduction and welcoming of guests
- If required - memorial for significant others
- Your “love story” (Yours is the one I want to hear next!)
- "These Three Things" (The 3 reasons you fell in love)
- Legal declaration of no impediment
- Legal vows – i.e., the "I do's"
- Couple exchange personal vows or promises
- Exchange of rings
- Couple is pronounced married and maybe share a cheeky kiss!
- Signing of HSE Marriage Registration Form (Green folder)
- 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 Humanist Wedding Ceremony?
Yes, you can personalise your ceremony and there are many ways, in which we can do this. For instance, as a humanist wedding celebrant I love the art of storytelling. So together, we will create your “love story”. This story will showcase and celebrate your unique relationship to date. For many, this element is one of the most important parts of their ceremony. Because it captures the endearing, heartfelt moments of magic, which you have shared. Be they, your first impressions of each other, your first date, your journey so far or your proposal. As a result, your story will evoke a truly lovely mixture of chuckles and happy tears. In other words, you and your guests will leave, feeling “the love” and feeling uplifted.
In addition, any enhancement or ritual that resonates with you can be personalised, including your vows, which should also reflect who you are as a couple.
What Wedding Ceremony Rituals can we Include?
There are many meaningful enhancements which can be sprinkled throughout your ceremony - typically one or two. Above all, you should choose rituals that resonate with you both to reflect your journey as a couple.
For instance, you might want to honour your parents with a gift or a rose, symbolise your two families uniting with a candle-lighting element, or invite guests to warm your rings with their good wishes before you exchange them. A sand-blending ceremony can represent your new family, especially if you have children, or it can embody a special coastal memory like your first date or proposal.
You could "tie the knot" with a handfasting, set your vows in stone with an oathing stone, or plant a tree to symbolise your growth in the years to come. Perhaps, you’ll lock your hearts as one with a love lock ceremony, seal private love letters to one another in an anniversary box or share a toast using wine or a Quaich to add a meaningful touch.
If you have cultural or family traditions, we can explore ways to weave them into your ceremony, making it uniquely yours.
Which Box do we Tick to Legally Register Our Marriage in Ireland?
✅ Civil
The 113 HSE Registered Civil Solemnisers are ALL Registrar's
Legal and Non-Religious
Quick, Simple Set Ceremony format
Monday to Friday Only
Registrar's Office or HSE-Approved Venues
📜 Registered as Civil Marriage (Non-Religious)
✅ Secular (Humanist)
The 55 HSE Registered Solemniser are ALL Humanist Association of Ireland Celebrants
Legal and Non-Religious
Inclusive, Personalised and Meaningful Ceremonies
Available 7 Days a Week
Any Venue or Location with a Registered Address, has Public Liability Insurance and is Open to the Public
📜 Registered as Secular Marriage (Non-Religious)
✅ Religious
The Remaining 5,728 HSE Registered Solemnisers are ALL Religious Priests or Celebrants from Faith Based Bodies
Legal and Religious
Religious but some Offer Ceremonies without Religious Content
Availability Depends on the Solemnising Body
Churches and Other Venues Possible
📜 Registered as Religious Marriage
Choose a ceremony that best reflects your personalities, beliefs, values, and vision for your big day!
Who can Take Part in our Wedding Ceremony?
Anyone you wish to include in your ceremony can take part. Be they your 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 sadly no longer with you. But are dearly missed. Some couples remember them by lighting a remembrance candle, and we can certainly 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. Therefore, we can legally solemnise your marriage by signing your Marriage Registration Form (MRF - Green Folder) during your wedding ceremony.
To have a legally binding wedding, you must give notice to a HSE Registrar’s Office of your intention to marry and obtain your MRF. The notice period is 3 months unless exceptional circumstances apply. Please refer to: Click Here.
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
Are Same-Sex Marriages Legally Binding in Ireland?
Yes, same-sex marriages have been legally binding in Ireland since November 16th, 2015. Likewise, humanists believe in equality for all. So naturally, 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 humanist ceremony then your venue must meet 3 criteria. Firstly, the location must be open to the public. Secondly, it must have public liability insurance in place. And thirdly, it needs to have a clearly identifiable address. Moreover, your venue does not have to be approved by the Registrar General. This means that the type of venue options and outdoor locations increase considerably! I will be happy to 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 your humanist ceremony to include the act of legal solemnisation, it cannot take place in a private location. Therefore, if your proposed venue or house is a private residence, which is not usually open to the public, then a legal wedding ceremony may not take place there. However, you can 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 wedding celebrants are not restricted with regards to the time of day or day of the week they can conduct a ceremony.
How Long does a Humanist Wedding Ceremony last?
The duration of your humanist ceremony will depend on how many readings, music, and other elements you choose to include, so it can last anywhere from 15 to 40+ minutes.