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

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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.

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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

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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 

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