Elopement & Micro Ceremonies
in Ireland
Elopement Ceremonies
in Ireland
Not too long ago, when someone mentioned "Elopement" - immediate thoughts would be a couple running away in secret to marry. Yes, that does still happen - but now, more and more, couples choose an Elopement Ceremony as their big celebration that they tell all their family & friends about before the big day!
Gone are traditions or rules. When you choose to have an Elopement Ceremony, you can have anything you want... go anywhere you choose.
You can have and Elopement ceremony which is formal, or ultra casual. You can be all dressed up in full traditional wedding attire - or be in shorts and a t-shirt! (just remember, you'll be looking at photos for years to come!)
PLANNING:
Planning an Elopement Ceremony can be a daunting prospect - but really, it doesn't need to be. In fact, there are plenty of amazing Wedding and Event Planners and companies which specialize in Elopement Ceremonies. Local knowledge is key - if you are going to use a Planner (highly recommended!), be sure they are familiar with the area that you're wanting to have your ceremony. When it comes to an Elopement, because it might just be the two of you, our Celebrant, and perhaps a Photographer - you can usually have a ceremony in a variety of places that larger weddings/groups cannot get to.
YOUR ELOPEMENT
We create downright awesome Elopement Ceremonies. We know there is absolutely nothing more beautiful, intimate, romantic and emotional than a couple standing face to face, saying personally written vows and committing themselves to each other.
We will help you with every aspect of the ceremony wording - from what our Celebrant will be saying, and also giving you assistance with writing vows to each other.
You can include gorgeous rituals, like a traditional Irish (Celtic) Hand-Fasting. You can include Readings or Prayers - and we'll give you lots of examples to choose from.
Lots of our couples decide that they want the ceremony to be a surprise on the day - and are happy for our Celebrants to write the ceremony, and the first time they hear the words is at the ceremony itself.
After your Elopement Ceremony, you will receive a commemorative copy of your ceremony, and also a commemorative Elopement Ceremony parchment.
Contact us (below) for more information!
Micro Ceremonies
in Ireland
A Micro or Intimate Ceremony – although small in size, these types of ceremonies don’t need to be lacking in personalisation or planning.
While Elopements are usually just the couple only – or the couple plus two witnesses… We would consider sizes for Micro/Intimate ceremonies are anything from 4 to around 30 guests. But really, there’s no set number.
PLANNING & LOCATION
When couples choose to have smaller guest numbers for their big day – what you include in your ceremony is really no different to a wedding of 300 guests. BUT, what it does mean, in terms of venue and set up of the ceremony – is that you have absolutely a more personal and close layout to how your location looks. More freedom, perhaps, on where your ceremony takes place. You might consider having your family & friends just standing in a circle around you both… or a few chairs closely positioned so it has that more “intimate” feel.
You might choose to be in a park, cliff-top, beautiful garden or even a beach.. as well as all the popular venues like castles, stately homes, hotels. And then even some more alternative venues like restaurants, wine-bar, an art gallery, museum etc..
YOUR MICRO CEREMONY / ELOPEMENT CEREMONY
One exciting part of having an Elopement or Micro ceremony is that you can really have every aspect of the ceremony and day very personally planned. Family/friends attending can be as involved as you wish. And the fact that there is normally that smaller number of guests, loved ones who actively participate in the ceremony can sometimes feel less pressured into speaking or helping during the proceedings.
Making a ceremony meaningful is very simple. We’re HUGE fans of personally written wedding vows with ALL types of wedding ceremonies – not just the smaller ones.
Including your loved ones within the ceremony – asking them to write a personal message and reading it out, asking guests to make promises to you (like their own vows to you!), getting everyone to participate in a beautiful ritual. With smaller numbers, it’s so easy to include EVERYONE! And therefore getting a close connection to every single person who is sharing the day with you.
You can even do a Surprise Ceremony! It’s really easy to plan a surprise ceremony when you only have a small number of guests attending. We’ve had ceremonies where the couple have invited family & friends to a birthday part, or engagement party, even a baby naming… then have a surprise wedding when everyone arrives!
So many options and there is absolutely no limits to your imagination when it comes to creating a gorgeous and fun Elopement or Micro Ceremony.
Legalities for Elopements& Micro Ceremonies
Consideration also needs to be given about the legalities of an Elopement Ceremony or Micro Ceremony.
Here in Ireland, there is a requirement to have a minimum of 5 people at a ceremony for it to be legally recognised; the couple, two witnesses (over the age of 18) and a Solemniser (Authorised Celebrant).
In the case of an Elopement Ceremony - obviously, if it's just the two of you travelling for your ceremony - you could consider asking your Photographer and Planner to be your legal witnesses on the day! Or, you might be bringing along two friends specifically to be your legal witnesses on the day.
With a Micro Ceremony or Intimate Ceremony - normally you would have a number of guests present for the day. Therefore, you could ask any of your attending family/friends to be your legal witnesses. You must have these people chosen in advance though, as they must be named on your Notification of Intent to Marry application.
Notification of Intent to Marry (NOIM)
- This application is the necessary requirement to give the Irish State, no less than, 3 months prior to your chosen ceremony date.
If you do not live in the Republic of Ireland - you can still apply for your NOIM with the relevant Govt department ( HSE ). The application can be done from your country of residence.. but there is a requirement to be in Ireland for a face-to-face appointment, no less than 5 working days prior to the wedding day.
If you are planning on Eloping to Ireland, check with us for legal requirements as soon as possible.
If you cannot adhere to the legal requirements - you can definitely still have an Elopement Ceremony with us - but you would need to complete the legalities separately (perhaps in your country of origin prior to or after your Elopement with us).
More details can be given by contacting us directly. See our contact page below.
Gallery & Testimonials
Thanks from our couples
Thank you so much for everything you have done for us. You put together a beautiful ceremony, picked an amazing location and worked with us every step of the way!
We are forever grateful for your help with the ceremony, as for us it perfectly captured the true sentiment of what we were trying to say to each other.
Having you officiate our wedding seemed to be a gift from the universe, so perfect and honest and intimate - a moment and a feeling I will always cherish. Thank you.
We very much felt that the ceremony represented us both – so much so, it was exactly what we wanted – personal and intimate.
My head was way up in the clouds – so thank you so much
Our ceremony was beyond our expectations! You’ve created a day that will be as special as our original day, many thanks!
It will be cherished for the rest of our lives.
Our family commented that the ceremony was so relaxed and fun. They loved it. We had a blast and want to do it all over again! Without a doubt it was the best day of our lives.
We arrived in Ireland with no plans, but wanted to Elope here. We were both surprised how meaningful and personal the ceremony and vows were, and we couldn’t have planned a better day if we had taken years (and not days!) to do it.
We travelled from Australia to elope and you made our day so intimate and beautiful. We cannot thank you enough for the effort you put in and the stress free, funny, quirky and amazingly unique wedding we had!
Contact Us....
Please fill in the below so we can send you information about Your Elopement Ceremony
or Micro Ceremony in Ireland!!
