Frequently Asked Questions

Celebrant Michael Ryan offers officiant services for weddings, funerals, vow renewals, baby welcoming/naming, and other special events. He is experienced in creating personalised ceremonies that reflect the unique  story of the person/people at the centre of the ceremony.

It's best to book as far in advance as possible to secure the date you require. Celebrants book up quickly during peak wedding season, so it's best to make an enquiry as soon as you begin your planning process.

Michael Ryan's celebrant services include an initial consultation and I will advise as necessary on readings, poetry, music, rituals and inclusive elements of the ceremony. 

We will usually have another meeting closer to the date to finalise your ceremony vision, personalised ceremony script creation and agree on ceremony traditions/treatments/rituals. 

We will discuss and agree, well in advance, all that is involved and then we can make the necessary changes in the run up to the day. We will communicate as much as we need to, in order to get the perfect plan in place. And on the day, I will then be honoured to officiate the unique ceremony at your event.

The General Fee is €600 per ceremony. This includes 2 pre-wedding meetings - generally one in person if we are geographically close and one on video call. If your wedding is far outside Dublin we can agree some travel costs that we both feel are fair. I am a legal solemniser for your marriage in the Republic of Ireland.   

We will discuss all the various options for the ceremony and then I will put together a plan for the wedding. We will also communicate as necessary as you make decisions and perhaps make changes to the plan to arrive at the perfect ceremony that suits you both. 

As a professional celebrant, I believe your ceremony should reflect your personalities and your story. Rather than offering a "one size fits all" ceremony, I work closely with every couple to create a unique celebration that feels authentic, meaningful and memorable.

This is one of the most common questions I receive.  In Ireland, not every celebrant is authorised to conduct legally binding marriages. It is important to choose a celebrant who is registered to solemnise marriages with the General Register Office through a recognised nominating body.

As a registered solemniser with Entheos, I can legally conduct marriage ceremonies throughout Ireland, allowing you to enjoy a ceremony that is both legally recognised and deeply personal.  Whether you're planning a hotel wedding, a public garden ceremony, a castle celebration, or any other suitable venue, I can guide you through both the legal requirements and the creative aspects of designing your ceremony.

A registrar is an employee of the HSE and conducts the legal aspects of a marriage and follows a prescribed format. You need to register your intention to marry at least 3 months in advance of the wedding and sometimes there is a waitlist to get an appointment so the sooner you can get to the Civil Registration Office the better. You can find a Civil Registrations Office at this link. https://www2.hse.ie/services/civil-registration-services/. Once they are satisfied that you are both legally eligible to get marries they will issue you with a Marriage Registration Form (MRF - It will be provided in a Green Folder). You will need to bring this to the Wedding Ceremony to be signed by the Solemniser, yourselves and your 2 witnesses. 

The Celebrant will perform the ceremony and Solemnises the marriage once the Registrar has issued the Marriage Registration Form (MRF - Green Folder).

Your ceremony can include your own love story, readings chosen by family and friends, music that is meaningful to you, symbolic rituals, moments to remember loved ones and promises that genuinely reflect your relationship.

For many couples, the ceremony becomes the emotional heart of the wedding day because it tells their story rather than following a standard script.

Absolutely.

Many couples choose to write their own vows because they want to express their feelings in their own words.  Some write long heartfelt promises while others prefer something simple, humorous or poetic.  If you're unsure where to begin, I provide guidance and examples to help you create vows that feel comfortable and authentic.

Your vows don't have to be perfect - they simply need to be true to who you are.

Every ceremony is different, but most personalised wedding ceremonies last between 25 and 40 minutes.

The length depends on whether you include readings, live music, symbolic rituals such as handfasting or a unity candle ceremony, family participation and personal stories.

My goal is always to create a ceremony that feels relaxed, engaging and enjoyable for both you and your guests.

Absolutely.

Many couples today have already started to grow their family, while others are blending families, and including children can make the ceremony even more meaningful.

Children might light a family candle, participate in a sand ceremony, tie the handfasting ribbons, present the rings, read a poem or make family promises together with their parents.

These moments often become some of the most emotional memories of the day, reminding everyone that the wedding celebrates not just a couple, but the coming together of a family.

Many couples wish to honour parents, grandparents, ancestors or close friends who cannot be with them on their wedding day.

There are many beautiful and sensitive ways to acknowledge their presence. These might include lighting a remembrance candle, displaying a photograph, leaving an empty chair, mentioning them during the ceremony or playing music that reminds you of them.

These quiet moments often bring comfort while celebrating the continuing influence of those who helped shape your lives.

Yes - and I'd be delighted to help include your four-legged family member as long as the venue is ok with it!  Many couples now choose to have their dog act as a ring bearer, accompany them down the aisle or simply be part of the photographs.

Whether your dog is playful, calm or somewhere in between, we can design the ceremony so that everyone, including your furry friend, feels relaxed and included.

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition in which ribbons or cords are gently wrapped around a couple's joined hands as they exchange vows.  Each ribbon can symbolise values such as love, trust, friendship, loyalty, courage and hope for the future.

Today, many couples choose handfasting because it beautifully combines Irish heritage with a deeply personal moment that represents two lives being joined together and is the root of the saying  - “Tying the Knot”

Yes.

Ireland offers some stunning outdoor wedding venues, from gardens and woodlands to beaches, hotels, community centres and country estates.  

As your celebrant, I am happy to conduct ceremonies in almost any suitable location. We simply need to ensure that the legal requirements are met and that there is a practical wet-weather alternative if needed. The location needs to have an address with an eircode as the Registrar needs to notify the location of your intention to get married there. Each venue in Ireland needs to be accessible to the public so a private home would not be suitable. 

Outdoor ceremonies often create a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere and provide unforgettable photographs.

Choosing a celebrant is about far more than finding someone to conduct a ceremony.

As a qualified Marriage Solemniser, psychotherapist, lecturer and experienced public speaker, I bring warmth, empathy and professionalism to every ceremony I create. I take time to get to know you, to understand your story and to design a ceremony that feels genuine, relaxed and uniquely yours.

Whether your celebration is joyful, reflective, traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between, my aim is always the same - to create a ceremony that you, your family and your guests will remember for years to come. Your Day, Your Way.