What to Expect When You Book a Wedding Celebrant — And What Happens When You Book Me

Planning a wedding can involve a frankly ridiculous number of decisions.

Venue. Food. Flowers. Music. Photographer. Cake. Seating plans. Whether Auntie Mary can be trusted not to start a family argument after two glasses of prosecco...

And then someone says:

"Have you thought about your wedding ceremony?"

If you've never worked with a wedding celebrant before, you might be wondering what actually happens when you book one.

• Do we sit down and write a ceremony?

• Do I just turn up on the day and tell you what to do?

• Do you have to write your own vows?

• Is there a script?

• Can you make jokes?

• Can your dog be involved?

• And, most importantly...

Do you really have to stand there for 45 minutes while somebody talks about your childhood?

Thankfully, no.

Well... not unless you want me to.

I'm David, the celebrant behind Modern Celebrancy, and my job is to create and conduct a wedding ceremony that feels like you.

Not a ceremony that sounds like everyone else's. Not something copied from a template.

And definitely not something that leaves your guests wondering whether they've accidentally wandered into a very formal AGM.

So, what actually happens when you book me?

First things first — we have a chat

Before we talk about vows, readings, rituals or any of the other ceremony details, I want to get to know you.

And I don't mean just your names and the date of the wedding.

I want to know how you met.

What makes you laugh. What you love about each other.

Your personalities. Your families.

The important moments in your relationship. The ridiculous moments.

The stories you probably wouldn't put on the wedding invitations.

Those little details are often what make a ceremony memorable.

Because anyone can stand up and say:

"Sarah and John are delighted to be surrounded by their family and friends today."

That's true.

But I'd much rather be able to tell your guests why Sarah and John are Sarah and John.

That's where the good stuff is.

“You don't have to know what you want yet”

This is probably one of the biggest things I'd like couples to know.

You don't need to arrive with a completed wedding ceremony in your head.

In fact, most couples don't. You might have absolutely no idea what you want.

You might know exactly what you don't want.

You might have a Pinterest board containing 147 different ceremony ideas and still have no idea what you're actually going to do.

All perfectly normal. We'll work it out together.

I'll guide you through the different options, explain what's possible, make suggestions where I think they'll work, and help you decide what feels right for you.

“We build the ceremony together”

Your wedding ceremony isn't something I disappear off and write in isolation.

It's a collaborative process.

We'll decide what you want your ceremony to include.

That could mean:

• Your story

• Personal vows

• Readings

• Music

• Family involvement

• Friends taking part

• Children being involved

• Cultural or family traditions

• Symbolic rituals

• Handfasting

• Ring ceremonies

• A few surprises

• A bit of humour

• Or absolutely none of the above

There is no compulsory checklist of things you have to include.

It's your ceremony.

If something is important to you, let's talk about it.

If something makes you cringe, let's probably leave it out.

“Yes, your ceremony can be funny”

I should probably address this one because I get it.

A wedding ceremony is an important moment. But important doesn't have to mean painfully serious.

Your relationship probably isn't serious all the time.

You laugh together. You take the mick out of each other.

You've probably got stories that would make your friends say, "Oh God, I remember that..."

Why wouldn't some of that personality make its way into your ceremony?

There is a difference between making a ceremony funny and turning it into a stand-up routine.

The aim is to get your guests laughing because they're recognising you in the story.

And then, when the moment calls for it, bring it back to something genuine and meaningful.

That balance is a big part of what I love about celebrant-led ceremonies.

What about the legal side?

This is an important one.

I'm a registered solemniser, which means I can conduct legally binding wedding ceremonies in Ireland, subject to the usual legal requirements and the couple completing the necessary process with the HSE.

So your ceremony doesn't have to be simply a symbolic celebration.

We can create something that is personal, meaningful and legally recognised.

And if you're already legally married and are looking for something more personal to celebrate with family and friends, that's an option too.

That's where ceremonies such as vow renewals and commitment ceremonies can come in.

What happens when we get closer to the wedding?

As the big day gets closer, we'll make sure everything is ready.

We'll go through the ceremony.

We'll make sure the important people know what they're doing.

We'll check the order of events. We'll discuss music and entrances.

We'll make sure any readings, rituals or family involvement are properly organised.

And we'll make sure you know what is going to happen.

Because although spontaneity can be brilliant at a wedding...

Not knowing when you're supposed to walk down the aisle is generally less brilliant.

And then comes the big day

This is the bit where I take over.

You don't need to stand there wondering:

"What am I supposed to do now?"

I'll guide you through the ceremony. I'll welcome your guests.

I'll introduce the different parts of the ceremony. I'll tell your story.

I'll guide you through your vows and ring exchange. I'll make sure everyone knows what's happening.

And, hopefully, I'll help you relax enough to actually enjoy the bloody thing.

Because this is your wedding.

You're not there to perform a ceremony perfectly.

You're there to get married.

What if we're nervous?

You probably will be. That's normal.

Even people who are perfectly comfortable talking to a room full of people can suddenly discover that saying the words "I do" in front of 100 people is a surprisingly big deal.

You don't need to be a public speaker. You don't need to memorise a script.

And you don't need to become a different version of yourselves for the day.

I'll guide you through it.

And I'll have spoken to you enough beforehand that you're not standing beside a complete stranger when the ceremony begins.

What if we don't want a traditional wedding ceremony?

Then you're probably in the right place :)

One of the great things about having a celebrant is that you can create something that reflects your relationship, rather than trying to squeeze yourselves into a predetermined format.

Want a traditional ceremony?

Absolutely.

Want something relaxed and modern?

Great.

Want something romantic and emotional?

Of course.

Want plenty of humour?

I'm listening.

Want your children involved?

Let's make it happen.

Want a handfasting ceremony?

Let's tie the knot. Literally.

Want something completely different?

Now you're talking.

So what do you actually get when you book Modern Celebrancy?

Ultimately, you're not just booking somebody to stand at the front of the room and read a ceremony.

You're getting someone who will work with you to create a ceremony that tells your story.

You'll get:

A ceremony written around you.

A celebrant who gets to know you.

Guidance throughout the process.

A ceremony that can include your personalities, stories, family and traditions.

A legally binding ceremony where appropriate.

Someone to keep things moving on the day.

And hopefully...

a ceremony your guests actually remember.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I book a wedding celebrant?

The sooner the better, particularly for popular wedding dates and busy times of the year.

If you already have your venue and wedding date confirmed, it's worth starting the conversation with your celebrant.

That said, if your wedding is coming up sooner and you haven't booked anyone yet, don't panic. Get in touch and we'll see what's possible.

How long does a celebrant wedding ceremony take?

There's no single correct answer.

A ceremony can be short and intimate or longer and more detailed depending on what you want to include.

As a general guide, many ceremonies fall somewhere around 25–40 minutes, but the important thing is that the ceremony feels right rather than hitting an arbitrary stopwatch target.

Do we have to write our own vows?

No.

You absolutely can write your own vows if you'd like to.

But if the thought of sitting down with a blank sheet of paper and trying to summarise your entire relationship in 200 words makes you want to run away to another country...

You're not alone.

I'll help you.

Can we include readings and music?

Absolutely.

Readings, poems, songs and music can all be incorporated into your ceremony.

And they don't have to be the traditional choices.

If there's a song, poem, passage from a book or something else that means something to you, let's talk about it.

Can our children be involved in the ceremony?

Yes.

There are lots of lovely ways to involve children, whether that's through readings, bringing up the rings, symbolic rituals or creating a special moment involving the whole family.

Can we have a religious or spiritual element?

Yes.

Your ceremony can include traditions, beliefs or spiritual elements that are meaningful to you.

The important thing is that the ceremony reflects your values and wishes.

Can we have an outdoor wedding ceremony?

In many cases, yes.

Outdoor ceremonies can be fantastic — although Ireland occasionally likes to remind us who's really in charge of the weather.

We'll discuss your plans and the practicalities involved in your chosen location.

Can you perform ceremonies outside Dublin?

Yes.

Modern Celebrancy is available for ceremonies across Ireland, and I regularly travel for weddings and other ceremonies.

If you're not sure whether I cover your area, just ask.

Can you perform a ceremony if we're already legally married?

Yes.

You might be looking for a vow renewal, commitment ceremony or a personal celebration with family and friends following a legal marriage.

There are lots of ways we can create something meaningful around that.

Do we have to have a traditional wedding ceremony?

Absolutely not.

That's rather the point.

Your ceremony should reflect you, not what somebody decided a wedding ceremony should look like 50 years ago.

Finally...

If you've never booked a wedding celebrant before, the whole thing can seem a little mysterious.

Hopefully this has taken some of that mystery away.

My job isn't simply to turn up on your wedding day, say a few words and disappear.

It's to get to know you, tell your story, guide you through the ceremony and create something that feels genuinely yours.

There will be moments that make you laugh.

There will probably be moments that make you cry.

There may be moments where I gently remind you that you're supposed to be looking at each other rather than at me.

And there will hopefully be a moment where you both think:

"Yep. That's us."

And that's exactly what we're aiming for.

Thinking about having a celebrant for your wedding?

I'd love to hear what you're planning.

Get in touch with Rev Dave at Modern Celebrancy and let's have a chat.

No hard sell. No clipboard. No PowerPoint presentation.

Just a conversation about you, your wedding and what you'd like your ceremony to be.

MC HUB | Wedding Ceremony Advice & Ideas | Modern Celebrancy

Your wedding ceremony. Considerably less confusing.

Planning a wedding comes with approximately 47,000 questions.

• What does a celebrant actually do?

• How does a celebrant ceremony work?

• What should we say in our vows?

• Can we have a ceremony outdoors?

• Do we need a solemniser?

• How do we make the ceremony personal without making it painfully cheesy?

That's where the MC HUB comes in.

I've created this space to answer the questions I'm asked most often, share ideas and inspiration, and give you a better idea of what goes into creating a wedding ceremony that actually feels like you.

No complicated wedding jargon.
No copy-and-paste ceremonies.
No pretending that every couple wants exactly the same thing.

Just useful advice, real experience, ceremony ideas and the occasional bit of nonsense from David at Modern Celebrancy.

Start Here

What to Expect When You Book a Wedding Celebrant — And What Happens When You Book Me

Never worked with a celebrant before?

Start here. I'll take you through what happens from the moment you get in touch, how we create your ceremony together, what happens on the wedding day, and answer some of the questions couples usually have along the way.

[Read: What to Expect When You Book Me →]

Explore the MC HUB

💍 Wedding Ceremonies

Everything you need to know about celebrant-led wedding ceremonies in Ireland — from the first conversation to the "I do".

✍️ Your Ceremony

Ideas and advice on vows, readings, music, rituals, storytelling and making your ceremony personal.

🤔 Questions Couples Actually Ask

The stuff you're probably Googling at 11pm when you should really be sleeping.

📖 Real Weddings & Stories

Behind-the-scenes stories, memorable moments and examples from real Modern Celebrancy ceremonies.

💡 Ideas & Inspiration

Different ways to make your ceremony more meaningful, more personal, more relaxed — and more you.

A ceremony doesn't have to follow a script

There are plenty of traditions that are worth keeping.

There are others that exist largely because someone, somewhere, decided that was the way weddings were supposed to be done.

You get to decide which is which.

The MC HUB is here to help you understand your options, find ideas that suit you, and hopefully answer a few questions before you even sit down with me.

And if you can't find the answer you're looking for?

Ask me.

Planning your wedding ceremony?

If you're looking for a wedding celebrant and registered solemniser in Ireland, have a look around the hub, get some ideas and then come and say hello.