Ceremonies

&

Rituals

HandFasting

I am always being asked to perform Handfasting as part of our ceremonies. Handfasting dates back to the old Irish tradition of ‘tying the knot.’ The ceremony has a few variations, you can use one cord and have the hands wrapped by your celebrant or you can choose a variety of colours of ribbon and have some of your guests lay them over your hands. Each colour represents a gift or blessing bestowed upon the marriage. This is a really lovely way to include family and friends in the ceremony. There is no extra charge for this and I will provide the ribbons which you get to keep. 

It usually happens after the ring exchange and the photographer can get some fabulous shots of the hands wrapped in bright coloured ribbons with the wedding rings on. The Handfasting ceremony is steeped in our ancient historical traditions and was the most common form of betrothal and marriage under Brehon Laws. Often these marriages would take place at large festivals such as The Tailteann games in Meath or on spots like the Hill of Tara, at sacred wells or the many sacred sites around the land. The ties represent the bind of the vows made and the knot represents the strength within the marriage.

Sand Ceremony

A Sand Ceremony is a unique way to symbolize two lives becoming one and is also a great way to incorporate children or family member into the wedding. A sand ceremony represents the coming together of two people or two families into one new family. It is a very simple idea that can be incredibly powerful. Typically some couples collect sand from their favorite beaches or different colored sand and take turns pouring it into one clear vessel, forming a layered effect. Sometimes just the couple participates, and sometimes the couple’s children join in with their own sand.

The advantage of the sand ceremonies is that there is a lasting memento to display the sand in your own home. Sand is also a better choice for an outdoor wedding since wind is less of a concern than with a candle. The sand ceremony is typically performed after the rings and vows are exchanged.

unity candle ceremony

A Unity Candle Ceremony is a very popular enhancement to a wedding ceremony. It can be included at any point of the ceremony. A Unity Candle set consists of two slender candles (called tapers) and a large center candle. They are usually white candles. Typically two close family members light the outer candles at the beginning of the ceremony. The two outer candles represents the couple’s individual lives before the wedding ceremony including their families and life experiences. Lighting the center candle symbolizes the union of two individuals, becoming one in commitment.

WISHING STONES/ WISHING TREES

If you are having a small number of guests at your ceremony, the Wishing Stone ceremony enhancement is a really lovely way to include your guests. The ritual of the Wishing Stones is a wonderful way to include everyone in your wedding ceremony. When guests arrive at the ceremony, they are given a Wishing Stone along with a permanent, fine-tipped marker to write their wish for you directly on the stone or a small note to write their wish for you on it. They then place the stones and note in to a jar which the couple will have forever and can often dip in and out to look at the wishes their guests bestowed on them.

ELOPEMENTS

While the dictionaries definition of eloping has morphed into something a little looser nowadays, the romantic and adventurous spirit of eloping remains the same and has never been more lusted after. Modern elopements come in all shapes and sizes from a micro-wedding comprising twenty guests in a pretty city center park to a mountainside ceremony for two with only the couple’s four-legged friends as guests.

Some couples have complicated family situations, some can’t afford the average price-tag of a traditional wedding, some don’t have the time to plan a large wedding, but more often than not, our couples want to embrace the adventure and romance of a true Irish elopement.

VOW RENEWAL

Vow renewal ceremonies are a fabulous way for couples to reaffirm your commitment to each other. Couples decide to renew their vows for many different reasons. Maybe you are coming up to a big milestone, 10, 25 or 50 years of marriage. Maybe you have just come out the other side of a rough patch in your lives. Maybe you just want to remind each other how much you love each other, or maybe you want to surprise your partner with a vow renewal ceremony.
 

BABY NAMING AND ADOPTION CEREMONIES

There are many ways you can mark this special day and I have the knowledge to bring your wishes and ideas to life. A baby naming ceremony is emotional and memorable, special and personal. This occasion is but the beginning of what hopes to be a life of adventure and celebration for your tiny living miracle. It is true that every child is someone’s whole world. 

It is a great joy choosing a name for your child. Working with you I can put together a beautiful service which honours the uniqueness of your child. Choose your venue, readings and actions and leave the actual ceremony in my hands. It’s also a really nice idea for a baby naming ceremony and something similar is to write wishes for the baby onto a wishing tree or place them in a keepsake box for the child to open when they are 18. You will see a unique service tailored just for you and your beautiful baby. You can also choose to have this ceremony to welcome an adopted child or to celebrate step families coming together.