Why choose a celebrant accredited by the HAI?

The Humanist Association of Ireland (HAI) would like to clarify the difference between a celebrant accredited by the HAI and an “independent humanist celebrant” or other “humanist” celebrant.

We are aware that many celebrants use the term “humanist” to describe the type of ceremony they perform, however, unless they are using this logo they are not a legal solemniser accredited by the Humanist Association of Ireland.

All celebrants accredited by the HAI have completed a rigorous training programme. The training programme is approved by the Registrar General and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and all HAI accredited celebrants are named on the HSE list of approved solemnisers of marriages.

So if you are looking for a legal Humanist wedding, look for a Humanist Association of Ireland (HAI) accredited celebrant that way you ensure your celebrant is a registered solemnisor and able to perform the legal functions within the ceremony, so you have the ceremony of your dreams without the necessity of a second ceremony at a register office.

All Humanist ceremonies are created specifically for that particular occasion and are composed in close consultation between the HAI-accredited celebrant and the people involved. The ceremonies are designed to be meaningful, honest and inclusive, with a fine balance of solemnity, warmth and humour.

Humanist Weddings are all about a couple celebrating their love for each other and making a commitment to one another in the company of those people who are important to them. This is done with appropriate, well-chosen words, readings and music in a place of the couple’s choosing. More and more people are choosing Humanist ceremonies as they offer a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the milestones of life in a very personal and meaningful way.

FAQs

Disclaimer: Please note that these topics are for general information purposes only. The answers are correct to the best of our belief and knowledge at present but are not definitive. Different celebrants take slightly different approaches, so please speak to a celebrant if you have a particular query or concern.

1. Is a humanist wedding a legally binding ceremony?

Yes, if it is conducted according to the Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended in 2012 and 2015). This requires that each part of the couple to be married must be: aged over 18 years, mentally capable to understand the importance of the legal contract they are signing, not related to each other, not already married, and not under duress. The couple must give notice to a HSE Registrar’s Office – refer to the HSE. The notice period is 3 months unless exceptional circumstances apply. The marriage must take place in a place open to the public especially on the day of the wedding. Your celebrant will advise you about the suitability of your proposed venue. The couple must freely consent to be spouses in the presence of two named witnesses and a registered solemniser. Celebrants accredited by the HAI are all registered solemnisers and may legally solemnise the marriage without a separate registry office wedding.

2. Is a humanist wedding the right option for me?

Humanist weddings are wonderful and personal ceremonies. One of the tenets of humanism is a tolerance for others who hold different belief systems. Therefore everyone feels included during a humanist ceremony.

However, humanists have no belief in a god or the supernatural, relying on scientific evidence and appreciation of the world around us and the achievements of humans. So our ceremonies are secular and non-religious occasions. They are designed to be a positive option for those who wish a non-religious ceremony whether you wish to call yourself a humanist or not, and you do not need to belong to any humanist association.

If you wish to discuss this more, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

3. Ireland has voted yes to same-sex marriage. Can my same-sex partner and I be legally married in a Humanist ceremony?

Yes, you can. On May 22nd, 2015, the citizens of Ireland voted to amend the Constitution by inserting the following text: “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.” Same-sex couples must comply with the standard legal requirements of marriage, as outlined on the HSE’s website. Humanists believe in equality for all and our celebrants are delighted to now be able to assist all couples to celebrate marriage without distinction as to their sex. Our celebrants have now conducted many same-sex wedding ceremonies and we look forward to discussing wedding formats and ideas with you.

4. My fiancé(e) and I have just become engaged! We have heard so much about Humanist weddings – how do we organise one?

Firstly, you as a couple should consider when and where you wish to get married and contact a humanist celebrant as close as possible to that area to check their availability. Due to the current popularity of humanist weddings, our celebrants can find themselves booked up a year or more in advance for popular dates, particularly weekend and holiday seasons. We recommend that you only provisionally book a venue until you have secured a celebrant’s services.

If you cannot find a celebrant based locally, then try celebrants further away. Many celebrants are happy to travel across the country to conduct your wedding but will charge travel expenses. Your celebrant will be happy to explain all the processes involved, including the possible content of your ceremony.

Some celebrants will travel abroad to conduct wedding or commitment ceremonies, but this would not be legally valid unless somehow the celebrant can meet the local legal requirements for a valid marriage ceremony.

5. Can I get married outdoors?

Yes, provided that the ceremony takes place in a venue open to the public and identifiable by an address. Your celebrant will advise you as to the suitability of your proposed venue.

6. Can I get married in my parents’ house?

A humanist ceremony that includes the act of solemnisation of the marriage cannot take place in a private location. If the house is a private home and not usually open to the public, then the wedding will not qualify as legal so may not take place there. However a celebration of your marriage, or a renewal of vows can take place in a private venue. Your celebrant will advise you about the suitability of your venue.

7. I am non-religious but my partner/fiancé(e) is religious – is there a ceremony that will embrace both our sets of beliefs?

One of the tenets of humanism is a tolerance for others who hold different belief systems, therefore everyone feels included during a humanist ceremony.

8. How much does a humanist wedding ceremony cost?

Typically you can expect a guideline fee in the region of €450-€800. Fees may vary from celebrant to celebrant, particularly if the venue is some distance away, as the celebrant will need to add expenses such as travel, and possibly accommodation, costs. Please note that some of our celebrants, who exceed the VAT turnover threshold set by the Revenue Commissioners, are required to charge VAT at the standard rate of 23% in addition to their fees.

In addition to a celebrants fee, HAI will ask for a booking contribution of €90. This will remove your date from their public calendar.

My fee is calculated as follows

Venues around 1 hours drive from Waterford City using car on google maps = €550

Venues around 2 hours drive from Waterford City using car on google maps = €650

Venues around 3 hours drive from Waterford City using car on google maps = €750

Venues over 3 hours drive from Waterford City using car on google maps - €800

Please note, that the fee includes the round trip. It is also worth saying here, that I pay particular attention to the level of detail, speed and service that I strive to supply, and my fee reflects those ‘unbillable hours’, as well as the travel and delivering of your ceremony.

9. On what days of the week can I get married?

Humanist celebrants are not restricted as regards the time of day, or day of the week, month or year and so are happy to consider any day or date.

10. I am trying to organise my wedding in Ireland but live abroad – how do I do it?

You should try to decide on a venue and date and then contact a celebrant, as discussed above. You can obtain a form from a registry office which allows you to give notice of your intent to marry by post. Due to the unprecedented demand for humanist wedding ceremonies, we recommend that you only provisionally book a venue until you have secured a celebrant’s services, as you may find it difficult to find a celebrant available on a given date. It is advisable to check if a celebrant is available for a particular date before you confirm the venue booking.

11. How long does a Humanist wedding ceremony take?

The duration of the ceremony will depend on the amount of content you choose to include. The more readings, music, and other elements you include can increase the duration, but it typically lasts about 25-35 minutes. If in doubt, please discuss the duration with your celebrant. (This might be by the traditional entrance if you wish, or we can discuss other ways of commencing the start of the proceedings).

12. What’s included in a humanist wedding ceremony?

A humanist wedding ceremony is typically made up of an introduction (traditional entrance if you wish), words on love and marriage, music, readings, a symbolic ritual or two, vows, marriage declaration, exchange of rings, signing of the register and closing words – you can personalise your ceremony to suit you. In essence, you have a great deal of control as to how your unique ceremony can proceed.

13. One of my parents is deceased and we would like to remember him/her in our ceremony. Can we?

Yes, it is quite usual and lovely to acknowledge early on in the ceremony that there are loved ones who are no longer with us and to have a short pause to remember them with love. Some couples light a remembrance candle. I also have a beautiful ritual that I composed that expresses joy and love, for our loved ones that we miss, if liked. (and looks lovely on the photographs)

14. I will be getting married legally in another country; can I have a humanist ceremony that does not include the legalities?

Yes, and in this case, the ceremony is then a ceremony of the celebration of your marriage and does not include any legal content. In this case, the humanist celebrant cannot make a pronouncement of marriage (declare you to be spouses).