Jenny and Brian: a match made in heaven

Testimonial from wedding couple
Photo Credit: Annie Kheffache

We all know that planning a wedding can be a mammoth task but from the moment we started working with Simone we knew things were going to be a lot smoother. Her warm caring approach put us ease straight away and she really listened and guided us through creating a ceremony that was a true reflection of us as a couple. We would highly recommend Simone as a celebrant to anyone wishing to capture that special event in their lives. Thank you so much Simone. Jenny and Brian

Photo Credit: Annie Kheffache
Photo Credit: Annie Kheffache
Photo Credit: Annie Kheffache

Want to stay connected? Instagram / Facebook Twitter  / Pinterest 

Naming Ceremony Elements

Ceremony elements can be included in your ceremony, but it’s important to say, a ceremony is just as beautiful with no elements.

A quick search on Pinterest will provide endless options! Here are some ideas to get started!

Time Capsule – Family members collect significant objects and place them in a time capsule to be opened on a set date. 

Scrapbook – Family and friends are invited to write a message in a scrapbook; to bring photos of the parents when they were young, or bring their favourite song or poem. 

Tree Planting – Soil is collected from the grandparents gardens and added to a sapling, then the guardians water the soil as a symbol of the commitment to support the child as they grow. The tree is then planted in your place of choice.

Letter Box – Parents, family and friends write a letter to the child and they are secured in a box to open at a later date. The box can be secured with ribbons of significant meaning. 

Sand Ceremony – Different colour sands are mixed to symbolise the parent and guardians values and hope for the child’s future values. It represents inclusion of the new child into the family.

Hand Prints on Canvas – The child’s name is written in vinyl letters and stuck to a large canvas.  Family and friends use different coloured paints to make a hand print on the canvas.  When dry, the letters are removed and the child name will appear surrounded by family and friends!

Earth, Air, Fire and Water – Stones or glass pebbles are placed in a clear glass bowl or vase, to represent the earth, and water is then included. Sitting on the stones is a candle to represent fire. All guests blow the child a kiss, to represent air. The celebrant explains the meaning behind the different elements.

Fire – Vigorousness, zeal, enthusiasm, courage, decisiveness, power of creativity, daring 

Air – Vigilance, care-freedom, kind-heartedness, trusting nature, clarity, lightness, independency, dexterity, optimism, diligence, acuity, joy, smiling

Water – Understanding, placidity, mildness, trusting nature, devotion, mercy,  forgiveness, modesty, compassion.

Earth – Consistency, conscientiousness, perseverance, punctuality, caution, resistance, responsibility, carefulness, firmness, reliability, sobriety, ambition, respectfulness, matter-of-factness.

Caroline and Gavin at The Village Barn

The ceremony was more than we could have hoped for – we loved it!  So many people came up to us on the day and since then to let us know how much they enjoyed it.  My parents have never been to a civil ceremony and they couldn’t get over how personal it was, they loved every bit of it.  Loads of people who have been to similar ceremonies said it was superior to anything they’d been to before, that it was so relaxed and meaningful and that you are so good at your job!  

Thank you again, I can honestly say that the ceremony was a huge highlight of our day.

Caroline and Tomás

Photography by Aidan Oliver

Arriving early is very important, this way I have plenty of time to speak with guests who have a role in the ceremony, and most importantly, chat with the bride and groom to settle any list minute concerns.

Caroline and Tomas celebrated their wedding in The Village Barn, Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath

Want to stay connected? Instagram / Facebook Twitter  / Pinterest 

R&R at Ashford Lodge

Ruth & Ross

Photography by the very lovely Moathill Photography

Dear Simone,

I’m not sure how to start this email without getting overwhelmed. Last Saturday was the most beautiful day of my life & you were an instrumental part of making it so.

We told you that we first saw you at our friend’s wedding last Spring & commented on how beautiful you made the ceremony. We thought you knew the boys! It was so touching and personal.

And then we met you for our wedding. Simone, you treated us like we were the most important couple that you had ever met. Like ours was the only ceremony you would ever perform. Like fulfilling our dream meant fulfilling yours.

I’m overwhelmed by each and every personal touch. From the remembrance candles to the vows and ribbons, to how you weaved what we told you about the people in our ceremony, to how you told our story, to how you carefully minded our kids, it was all so simply beautiful and unique. Thank you.

And to then get the gift of the ribbons & the cert the next morning, blew me away.

Thank you again Simone. My favourite decision was choosing you to be our celebrant.

With the warmest regards & love, R&R. X X

Continue reading

Sarah and Robert at the Mill House

I advise couples to choose a celebrant they connect with.  Someone they feel instantly at ease with.  When I first met Sarah and Robert the roles were reversed!  I was captivated by their story, and I knew right away, theirs was a story I could not wait to tell! <3

Sarah and Robert celebrated their wedding in the historic Mill House, Slane, Co Meath.  They chose a handfasting ceremony using coloured ribbons that held deep meaning for them and their guests.

Thank you so much for being part of our wedding day. You made everything so easy and stress-free. Your professionalism, warmth, and creativity knows no bounds. You blew us away with the ceremony you created for our big day and practically all of our guests commented on how gorgeous it really was. It was the best day of our lives but the ceremony was definitely the highlight and that’s thanks to you. Thanks for all your patience and guidance – Sarah and Robert

The Mill House.jpg
The Mill House – Courtesy of Annie Kheffache Photography

Want to stay connected?  Instagram / Facebook / Twitter  / Pinterest 

Claire and Patrick

I first met Claire, a leading Irish wedding photographer, when we worked together on a surprise vow renewal ceremony, held at the lakeshore in Glendalough.  So, I was very honored when she asked me to be the celebrant for her and Patricks wedding.

clairepaddywed212.jpg
Courtesy of Paula O’Hara – Wedding Photographer 

 

Having seen Simone working before, I immediately knew I would love to have her at my own wedding too. When planning ours, our main concern for the ceremony was that it would be personalised to us and intimate. Simone worked with us to achieve exactly that and went above and beyond our expectations every step of the way. She thought of every detail to incorporate our loved ones and each ceremony element she helped us choose reflected us completely, including having our dog involved in the ceremony! Simone’s manner is kind and compassionate and she is deeply committed to achieving her client’s desires. Many of our guests also commented on her warm and friendly disposition throughout the ceremony. We are so thrilled to have had Simone deliver our ceremony and couldn’t recommend her more highly – Claire and Patrick

clairepaddywed257.jpg
Courtesy of Paula O’Hara 

Claire and Patrick’s wedding was elegant and timeless.  It was also the first time I worked with a ring bearer who was a (all be it gorgeous) golden retreiver! She was as good as gold. A last-minute decision to hold the ceremony inside turned out to be the right one, as it poured rain a few minutes in! I have such beautiful memories of Claire and Patrick’s day, and feel privileged to have been part of it <3

For fine art wedding photography contact Claire at Studio Brown 

Want to stay connected? Follow along on Instagram / Facebook / Twitter  / Pinterest