Saying ‘I Do’ in Ireland: Here Are All the Ways to Celebrate Your Love
So, you’re engaged – congratulations! Now comes the big question: what kind of wedding ceremony do you actually want?
Years ago, this might have been an easy decision for most Irish couples chances were, you’d be walking down the aisle of a church. But times have changed, and so have the options. These days, you can celebrate your wedding in a way that truly reflects you, your values, your story, your beliefs, and your lifestyle.
Figuring out what type of ceremony you want is one of the first (and most exciting!) parts of wedding planning. It also helps to know who you’d like to lead your ceremony, will it be a celebrant, a solemniser, or someone from your faith tradition? If you’re still unsure what the difference is between a celebrant and a solemniser, we’ve got you covered in our last blog: Unlock Your Dream Wedding: The Celebrant & Solemniser Guide for Ireland.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the main types of wedding ceremonies available in Ireland today, with a focus on secular, civil, and celebrant-led options. Whether you’re dreaming of an outdoor handfasting or a simple civil ceremony at your venue, there’s something here for everyone.
So, are you ready? Great!! Let’s dive into the wonderful world of ceremonies and explore the different ways you can celebrate your love.
Symbolic Ceremonies: Celebrating Your Love, Your Way
Not every couple wants or needs a legally binding wedding ceremony, and that’s more than okay. Symbolic ceremonies offer a beautiful, meaningful way to honour your commitment to each other without the legal paperwork.
Some couples choose a symbolic ceremony because they’re already legally married, perhaps abroad or in a registry office, and want to celebrate with family and friends. Others may prefer to keep the legal part simple and separate, or may not wish to legally marry at all.
These ceremonies are led by professionally trained celebrants and can include all the traditional elements of a wedding – vows, rings, readings, music, rituals, just without the legal signing. They can be held absolutely anywhere that feels special to you, from a beach or forest to your own back garden.
Symbolic ceremonies are perfect for:
● A commitment ceremony
● A vow renewal
● A second ceremony after a legal marriage (before or after the paperwork)
● A celebration of love for couples who don’t wish to legally marry
Personal, flexible, and deeply meaningful, these ceremonies are a wonderful way to celebrate your relationship, your way.
And now for the legal options: If you’re planning to make it all legal on the day, there are a few different ceremony types to choose from, each with its own vibe, structure, and level of flexibility. Let’s take a look at what’s available…but first, the paperwork for all legal ceremonies and what you need to know.
The Paperwork Bit: What You Need to Know for a Legal Ceremony
Before you can say “I do” in any legally recognised ceremony whether it’s in a registry office, a forest, a hotel ballroom, or a church you’ll need to go through the official marriage notification process. This is how your marriage gets registered in Ireland, no matter what type of ceremony you’re planning.
To kick things off, you’ll need to make an appointment with your local Registry Office at least three months before your wedding date. That’s the legal minimum, but it’s a good idea to book even earlier, as some offices have waiting lists. Both of you will need to attend the appointment in person.
Here’s what you’ll need to bring along:
● The original and a colour photocopy of your passports
● The original and a photocopy of your birth certificates
● Proof of address, original and a photocopy dated within the last 3 months
● Your PPS numbers
● A notification fee of €200 (non-refundable)
It’s also helpful to have already decided on the type of ceremony you’d like, as you’ll be asked for the following information:
● The type of ceremony (civil, religious, or secular)
● The name and address of your chosen venue
● The name of your celebrant, solemniser, or registrar
● The names and dates of birth of your two witnesses (both must be over 18)
Once everything is in order, you’ll receive your Marriage Registration Form (also known as the Green Folder). This is the document you, your witnesses, and your officiant will sign on your wedding day to make it all official.
Now that we’ve covered the paperwork, let’s look at the different types of legal ceremonies available in Ireland. From civil to religious, and solemnised celebrant-led to fully secular, each one offers something a little different so it’s all about finding the one that feels right for you as a couple. Each offers its own unique experience, from traditional to modern, formal to flexible. So, let’s break them down to help you decide which one feels most like you.
Celebrant with Solemnising Status: Personal, Legal, and Truly Yours
What is a celebrant with a solemnising status I hear you ask. Well, simply put it is exactly just that, a celebrant who has obtained solemnising status through either a civil, secular or religious body and they are now registered on the Registrar of Solemnisers held by the HSE and which can be found online.
And here’s where things get really exciting. A celebrant with solemnising status can offer you the best of both worlds – a ceremony that’s deeply personal and meaningful, legally binding, and tailored entirely to you.
So, what exactly is a celebrant with solemnising status? Put simply, it’s a professionally trained celebrant who is also registered with the HSE as a solemniser. They may be part of a secular, civil, or religious body that has legal authorisation to conduct marriages in Ireland, and you’ll find them listed on the Register of Solemnisers, which is available online.
These types of ceremonies are crafted in collaboration with you, so they’re filled with your voice, your values, your stories, and your personalities. Whether you want a ceremony that’s spiritual, non-religious, includes cultural rituals, or
features your favourite poem and a handfasting it’s entirely up to you. You get full creative freedom (with the added benefit of it being fully legal).
One of the biggest advantages? Flexibility. These ceremonies can take place:
● Indoors or outdoors
● Seven days a week (including weekends and evenings)
● At any venue with public access
Because celebrants with solemnising status combine professional ceremony skills with the legal authority to solemnise your marriage, they offer a truly inclusive and empowering alternative to traditional civil or religious weddings. The legal paperwork gets done, but the heart of the ceremony stays completely yours.
Civil Ceremonies
A civil ceremony is one of the most straightforward legal wedding options available in Ireland. These ceremonies are performed by a Civil Registrar from the HSE and are fully legally binding. However, they come with a few important limitations.
Civil ceremonies are strictly non-religious, which means you won’t be able to include any spiritual content, no prayers, hymns, blessings, or religious readings. The wording of the ceremony is standardised, and while there is some room to personalise with your own vows or readings, all content must be approved in advance and must comply with HSE guidelines.
Here’s what you need to know:
● Civil ceremonies take place Monday to Friday only
● You can get married in a Registry Office or a HSE-approved venue (usually a hotel or designated space)
● You must register your intent to marry at least three months in advance, and attend your notification appointment together
While these ceremonies don’t offer much creative flexibility, they are a great option for couples who prefer a practical, efficient, and legally recognised ceremony especially if you’re planning a private registry office wedding followed by a larger symbolic celebration later on.
Secular Ceremonies: Non-Religious, but Not Without Meaning
If you want a non-religious wedding that’s still full of meaning, warmth, and heart a secular ceremony might be the perfect fit. These ceremonies are led by secular solemnisers, who are authorised to legally marry couples in Ireland under the Civil Registration Act.
Unlike civil ceremonies, secular ceremonies are highly personal and flexible. They are usually created in collaboration with your celebrant, meaning you can include readings, music, vows, symbolic rituals (like handfasting, candle lighting, or sand ceremonies), and other meaningful touches, as long as they don’t include religious or spiritual references.
Importantly, while secular ceremonies are non-religious, that doesn’t mean they’re without depth or philosophy. Many couples who choose this path do so because it aligns with their personal values or belief systems, often rooted in ethics, nature, love, human connection, or shared life principles.
Some key points:
● Secular ceremonies are legally binding
● They can take place any day of the week
● Your chosen location must have public access
● Your solemniser must be listed on the Register of Solemnisers
If you’re looking for a customisable, inclusive, and values-driven ceremony that reflects who you are as a couple (without religious content) a secular wedding is a beautiful and legal way to say “I do.”
Religious Ceremonies: Honour Your Faith, Your Way
For many couples in Ireland, a religious ceremony remains the most meaningful way to celebrate their union. Whether rooted in longstanding family traditions or personal spiritual beliefs, religious weddings can offer a strong sense of connection, community, and ritual.
When most people think of religious ceremonies, they picture getting married in a church, temple, mosque, or other place of worship. In these cases, the process and requirements will vary depending on the religious denomination. You may need to
complete a pre-marriage course, submit additional paperwork, or follow specific traditions related to music, readings, or the structure of the ceremony.
However, it’s worth noting that religious weddings in Ireland go beyond the well-known denominations. Ireland is home to a rich diversity of faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Pagan traditions, and many others and these communities also conduct legally recognised weddings through registered solemnisers.
Some modern religious groups also offer non-denominational ceremonies, where the emphasis is more on spirituality or shared values than strict religious doctrine. These weddings can still be legally binding and may take place in a wider variety of settings, including outdoors or non-traditional venues, depending on the beliefs and practices of the group.
In all cases, the officiant must be a registered solemniser with the HSE, and the ceremony must meet the legal criteria to be recognised in Ireland. So, whether traditional or modern, a religious ceremony can offer a deep sense of ritual, meaning, and cultural continuity, and is a wonderful way to celebrate your love within a spiritual or faith-based framework.
Wrapping It All Up: Your Ceremony, Your Choice
At the end of the day, your wedding ceremony should reflect you, your relationship, your values, your beliefs, and your vision for the day. Whether you choose a symbolic celebration, a civil ceremony, a secular wedding, a religious tradition, or a celebrant-led ceremony with solemnising status, there’s no one “right” way to get married, only the one that feels right for you.
This is your love story. Your wedding day should reflect who you are as individuals and as a couple. Whether you want something short and simple, rich in tradition, or filled with personalised rituals and heartfelt vows, there’s a ceremony type that will help you celebrate in a way that’s authentic, meaningful, and memorable.
Ireland is lucky to have a wonderful variety of ceremony options that honour different paths, faiths, cultures, and personal stories. From quiet and simple, to vibrant and ritual-filled, the possibilities are more open and inclusive than ever before.
Still unsure? That’s okay too! Our community of celebrants is always here to guide you, answer your questions, and help you explore your options without pressure. Whatever you decide, your ceremony can (and should) be a celebration of your love, with joy, meaning, and a touch of magic.
No matter how you say “I do” — say it your way. 💚
