11 Mar Commitment Ceremonies
For reasons varied and personal, some couples are choosing to formalise their promise to one another through the celebration of a commitment ceremony. The couple vow to stay with each other forever through this celebrated declaration of love and devotion.
‘I wanna hurry home to you,
Put on a slow down show for you,
And crack you up’
The National, Slow Show
What are the “rules”?
Mrs Redhead Photography
There are no rules; this gathering can be intimate or public, with the loved-up couple wishing to celebrate their union outside of the traditional religious or civil framework.
Perhaps one or both of the pair have been married before, or it may be that they favour an alternative way to share and show their love for one another. For freedom and ease, the commitment ceremony is proving very popular. It is totally individual and unique and has been described as ‘expressing your devotion, without the paperwork’!
Tailor-made Celebration
Each couple gets to celebrate their ‘common law’ relationship by focusing exclusively on each other in this special celebration. They declare their union official, tailoring their vows, rings and ceremony enhancements, to suit them and to reflect the intimacy of their relationship.
Creative commitment certificates can be calligraphied to honour the occasion, and commitment rings can symbolise the infinite nature of the bond. I read of one couple who solidified their commitment ceremony with wedding ring tattoos.
The Claddagh Ring
Often couples coming from overseas opt for the exchange of the traditional Irish Claddagh ring, or fainne Chladaigh. The design and customs associated with this ring originated in the Irish fishing village of the same name in Galway and was first produced in the 17th Century. The heart on the Claddagh ring represents love, the crown shows loyalty and the hands stand for friendship. This ring is long associated in Irish culture with fidelity, love and romance.
Location, location, location
Dermot Culhane
Can you picture yourselves standing on the Cliffs of Moher overlooking the Wild Atlantic Way, committing to your loved one, with specially chosen readings, harp music in the background, personalised vows, claddagh rings and the most incredible views for miles around. How perfect would that be?
But, if a cliff top ceremony sounds a bit too wild, we can help you choose the perfect location; ancient ruins, forests, lake side, cosy pub…..the list is (almost) endless.
So if you’d like to celebrate your love through a commitment ceremony, we would love to chat.