Our wedding day, our way

I was raised in a very traditional Irish Catholic family, attended Catholic schools and taught in Catholic schools. So I expected that if the day came when I met someone who I would marry, that we would have our wedding in the Catholic church where I had celebrated all my other sacraments if my betrothed was on board with this. And Toby was 100% on board, but due to circumstances, getting married in the Catholic Church wasn’t an option for us.

And I am so glad that this was the case. Not only am I feeling pretty lost with my faith, but if I am completely honest with myself, the acoustics and sentimentality were the main drivers for me getting married in the church, alongside pleasing my parents who never imagined me getting married anywhere else themselves.

Instead, we chose Ballyscullion Park, as lovers of nature and the outdoors. We chose a celebrant, Chloe Cairns, who got to know and understand us – she completely connected with us and worked with us to create and deliver a personalised ceremony script that was ALL ABOUT US, celebrated US, and allowed all our guests to have an insight into who we are as people and as a couple. Chloe also went above and beyond and waited for the wedding to start, holding the guests together, as we waited for our booklets to arrive! We were able to choose any music we wanted that evoked our feelings and messages, played beautifully by the incredible Davey Music. We were able to write and speak our own vows that we took so much time and passion to write for each other. We chose symbolic rituals that were personal to us.

And my parents couldn’t have been more pleased – my mother is still buzzing about it being the best wedding ceremony she has ever attended – and she is a regular attendee at weddings!

This made me want to be a celebrant in order to create the perfect ceremony the couples I connect with! It is such a privilege to be able to create a ceremony for people to be exactly as they want it, their day their way. Anytime, anyplace.