FAQ

Where can you have your ceremony?

Your ceremony, your way…

Photo by Dara Vaughan – Irish Soul Space

FAQ’s – Your Questions Answered

Coastal Ceremonies

Some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) poised by our clients are addressed here, but if there is anything not covered please drop an email to us and we will be happy to give you more information.

What services can Coastal Ceremonies offer?
Coastal Ceremonies provide celebrant services through our accredited celebrants who can officiate at your symbolic ceremony in your venue of choice. Clara can also officiate a legal wedding ceremony as she is on the HSE Register of Solemnisers as part of Entheos Ireland.  We provide celebrants for your wedding, elopement, commitment ceremony, vow renewal, funerals, milestone or baby naming ceremonies. We travel nationwide. Depending on availability, we can officiate your ceremony 7 days a week. Coastal Ceremonies are based in Co. Clare with the Wild Atlantic Way on our doorstep so there are no shortage of amazing places to have your ceremony.  From hotels, restaurants, beaches, cliffs, the choices are endless (almost!).
Susan Eyles also provides Wedding Planning Services and has packages to suit all requirements and budgets from micro weddings, elopements and vow renewals. Susan works with a talented group of local suppliers and amazing venues and can help you plan your dream wedding or vow renewal.
Coastal Ceremonies Celebrants

Our role as accredited celebrants is to ensure your legal or symbolic wedding ceremony reflects you both as a couple. Coastal Ceremonies can help you bring your ideas and vision to life and create a ceremony that you and your guests will never forget.  We can conduct many types of wedding ceremonies and include any cultural additions or traditions that are meaningful to you both.  Coastal Ceremonies can also officiate at a vow renewal, funeral, milestone or baby naming ceremony.

Depending on availability, we can be booked 7 days a week. Coastal Ceremonies are based in Co. Clare with the Wild Atlantic Way on our doorstep so there are no shortage of amazing places to have your ceremony.  From hotels, restaurants, beaches, cliffs, the choices are endless (almost).

What is the process once we book a celebrant from Coastal Ceremonies?
Once you have booked Coastal Ceremonies to officiate your ceremony, we will send you a contract and invoice online.  Once the contract is signed and booking fee is paid, we will send you an online questionnaire which we ask you to complete before our consultation.  Our consultation will either be face to face meeting or via video call which usually takes around 1 to 2 hours.  During this consultation we talk through your ceremony from start to finish; what ideas you both have, who you want to include in your ceremony, what readings you were thinking about, the music you both love, ceremony enhancements you would like to include and so on.   Coastal Ceremonies have so many resources for you to use; a booklet of suggested poems, readings and song lyrics, advice on how to write your own vows if you so wish and details about the ceremony enhancements we can include.
After our consultation we write and create your ceremony from scratch and send you the first draft for your review. We plan a final call a week or so before your ceremony where we finalise the ceremony and logistics.
Coastal Ceremonies will be at your venue an hour before the start of the ceremony to coordinate with the venue team, wedding planner, musicians, readers and photographer to ensure everything runs smoothly. ensure all is in hand and to reassure anyone with last minute nerves.  We are available to chat and email from the first day we talk right up to the day itself. We love the planning process and can’t wait to work with you to help you create your dream ceremony.
How much input do we have in to the ceremony?

Coastal Ceremonies will provide advice, suggestions and resources and will write the full ceremony from start to finish for you both with your input. It is your day and whether we are writing a wedding ceremony, commitment ceremony, vow renewal or baby naming ceremony, you have full control. Your Ceremony, Your Way.

Will our ceremony be legally binding?

Clara can legally sign your Marriage Registration Form (MRF) during your ceremony as she is part of Entheos; a progressive, inclusive organisation.

Entheos is a non-denominational faith path, and we officiate ceremonies for couples of all faiths and none. Therefore, Entheos is listed on the  Register of Solemnisers as a Religious Body, as opposed to Secular/Civil.

This classification means that your ceremony will be in accordance with the Rites and Ceremonies of Entheos, and affords Clara the freedom to include religious content for those who request it, and none for those who don’t.

How do we get married legally in Ireland?
All of the information on legal marriages in Ireland is on the HSE website. Irrespective of whether you are an Irish citizen or a foreign national, anyone marrying in Ireland must give three months notification before they marry. You must make this notification in person to any Registrar.
There are different legal ways of getting married in Ireland; you may choose a religious ceremony, a secular (non-religious) ceremony or a civil (legal) ceremony.  Whatever way you choose to marry, (i.e., through a civil, secular or religious ceremony), the registration process is the same.
You are issued with a Marriage Registration Form (MRF) by the Registrar, following the notification appointment, which gives you authorisation to get married.  This document is then passed onto a registered solemniser, who will witness the signing of this document so if you are legally marrying at a Registry office, this signing will take place there.
If you choose Clara from Coastal Ceremonies, you can complete the legal signing during your dream ceremony as she is part of Entheos; a progressive, inclusive organisation.
For more information please read Celebrant options in Ireland
What is a civil marriage?

A civil marriage takes place in a registry office or other approved venue, by a HSE registrar.

Requirements for Marriage?

If you are an Irish citizen and normally resident in Ireland, you must be at least 18 years old to get married. The age rule remains the same, irrespective of whether or not you are married in a religious, secular or civil ceremony. Additionally you must also have the capacity to marry which means you must freely consent to the marriage and have the capacity to understand what marriage means. There is no requirement to live in the specific district where you want to get married.

What are your ceremony fees and when do you require payment.
Our current fees for a legal Wedding ceremony, officiated by Clara Malone are €750 *

Our current fees for a symbolic Wedding ceremony, Elopement, Vow Renewal and Commitment ceremony (including a Handfasting) are €650 *

These fees include the booking fee, initial consultation, ceremony creation and officiating your ceremony.

Baby Naming

Our current fees for a baby naming ceremony are €450 * which include the initial consultation, ceremony creation and officiating your ceremony.
Fees may be higher for ceremonies taking place in 2025 which will be discussed at enquiry stage.

Funeral or Memorial Service

Our current fees for a funeral or memorial service are €350 which include the consultation with family, ceremony creation and delivering the ceremony.

Milestone Ceremonies

Our current fees for a milestone ceremony vary depending on the number of children involved;
€450 for up to 3 children
€550 for up to 5 children
€75 for each additional child.
Fees may be higher for ceremonies taking place in 2025 which will be discussed at booking.
A booking fee (which is non refundable) of €250 is required to secure your ceremony date and can be paid by credit card,  cheque, bank transfer** or PayPal**. The remaining balance is due 30 days in advance of the scheduled ceremony.
Please note, for any ceremony booked within 30 days of the ceremony date, full payment is required at booking stage.
*Depending on the location of your ceremony there may be travel expenses (this will be confirmed before booking). We charge travel fees for all ceremonies taking place outside Co. Clare.
** Please note, there may be a small administration cost added to the total cost if you pay by bank transfer (bank dependent)  or PayPal.
Coastal Ceremonies Wedding Planning Services

If you are planning your ceremony from home or abroad, or eloping, or just don’t know where to start with choosing venues, musicians, photographers, make-up artists and so on, Susan Eyles can work with you to manage your big day from start to finish. She has packages for micro weddings, elopements and vow renewals and works with fantastic local suppliers to ensure your dream day is a reality.   Please contact Susan on susan@coastalceremonies.ie who would love to talk through your requirements.   

Why hire Susan to plan our wedding?

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming; where do you start, how do you find local wedding suppliers, and what should your priorities be? With our wedding planner Susan she can be that objective eye, someone that is not emotionally involved which means that your wedding day can result in the wedding that exceeds your expectations without breaking your budget.

Check out  Wedding Planning Services for more information or get in touch today.

What does a wedding planner do?

As your wedding planner, I am responsible from the initial planning to supervising the finer details on the day. This ensures everything happens on time based on the wedding day itinerary which you plan together. As an experienced professional who has planned over 300 weddings, I will bring my experience and knowledge of the wedding industry into your wedding plans. I will be with you every step of the way, managing any issues that may arise, while having fun along the way.

You can find out more information on my wedding planning services

What type of packages do you offer?

I specialise in Destination Weddings, Micro Weddings, Elopements and Renewal of Vows and I work with a handpicked selection of like-minded suppliers and venues to create amazing experiences. I offer 3 packages;  Micro Weddings, Elopements and Renewal of Vows Packages. I can also customize packages to meet specific needs if you wish.

Every wedding is different and unique. When planning your personalised wedding, I will listen, provide guidance and practical advice and I will be there every step of the planning process with our wedding checklist to ensure your wedding day is relaxed, stress free, enjoyable and full of love.

What's your secret for staying calm under pressure?

I have been described as a swan; cool and calm under pressure while peddling like mad underneath!  I am extremely organised and methodical, it’s about staying one step ahead of things at all times. I have learnt over the years never to be complacent which ensures everything goes smoothly.

How can I find out more about your wedding planning services and packages?

I would love to answer any questions you have. Please email or call directly and we can schedule a free, no obligation consultation with you. You can contact me on susan@coastalceremonies.ie or +353 86 3436813

Covid-19 Re-scheduling and Cancellation Policy

Covid-19 is a huge challenge for everyone, both personally and professionally. If Covid-19 restrictions prevent a ceremony from taking place, then we will facilitate the postponement of the ceremony to a new date, transferring the booking fee to that new date, subject to availability. If your original celebrant is not available for your new date one of our team members will step in to officiate your ceremony.

In the case of a ceremony being fully cancelled, with no possibility of a postponement, we will not be able to return the non refundable booking fee as this covers the initial period of booking and any subsequent work done including consultation and creation of the ceremony.

In cases where the full balance has been paid, the balance minus the booking fee will be refunded.

How can you safely officiate our ceremony during the Covid-19 pandemic

The safety of our team and clients is our main concern. As well as being bound by the guidelines set out by the Government, we have set out the following guidelines in relation to the safe delivery of celebrant led ceremonies during the Covid 19 pandemic which all celebrants in Coastal Ceremonies will be adhering to.  You can review the guidelines for Covid-19 Ceremonies on our website.

For further information please revert to https://www.gov.ie/en/ and https://covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/

Get in touch today…

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

~ When Harry Met Sally