Rev. Barbara Allen

JOYFUL CEREMONIES

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT, AS THE CEREMONY UNFOLDS

HELD WITH LOVE

CREATING THE PERFECT MOMENTS THAT WILL LIVE IN YOUR HEARTS FOREVER

YOUR WEDDING
YOUR WAY

WEDDING CELEBRANT
& LEGAL SOLEMNISER

"I leave you free to be yourself

To think your thoughts
Indulge your tastes
Follow your inclinations
And behave in ways that you decide
Are to your liking
In Brief - I love you"
(Anthony. De Mello)

YOUR PERSONAL CEREMONY
ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

Understanding what is special to you

and how you feel about it
Is so important

It's also a great place to start
When you begin to think about
Planning your ceremony

We will explore, together,

What you would like,

And how to achieve it

There are no restrictions on

The type of ceremony you can have

It can include :

- The traditional

- Modern Twists,

- Spiritual content (if required)

- Laughter and Humour

Or it can be something completely alternative

Daytime or Evening

Outdoors or indoors

Your ceremony is exactly that

"Your Ceremony"

You can hold it at the venue of your choice

For legal marriages - the venue should have public access

and an Identifiable address

For non-legal Ceremonies

The world is, quite literally, your oyster

I've always been inspired by the truth of love

And how it uplifts us

And how it can heal us

I believe my role is to enable you

To celebrate your unique and individual love

In a way that feels right for you

RITUALS

Wedding-Ring Warming
Unity Candle
Hand Fasting - "Tying the knot"
Personal Vows
Oath Stone - "Written in stone"
Tying the "Fisherman's Knot"
Loving Cup (Quaich) - Sharing Experiences & Protecting
Sand Ceremony - Blended Families
Rose Ceremony - First Gift
Wine box - Time Capsule
Tree Planting Ceremony
- anything you would like to create

RITUALS FOR WEDDING CEREMONIES
NOTE : PHOTOS BELOW ARE ALL CAPTURED FROM WEDDING CEREMONIES I HAVE HELD
- I SUPPLY ALL OF THE "PROPS" (cANDLE HOLDERS, CUP, CORD, ETC.)
- BRIDE AND GROOM SUPPLY CANDLES OR ANY ITEM THEY WOULD LIKE TO KEEP

UNITY CANDLE/S

At the beginning of the ceremony, the Bride and Groom are invited to light 2 individual candles
to represent everything they bring, as individuals.
After the vows and Ring exchange, they are invited to light
the Unity candle,
from the 2 individual candles
to symbolise their marriage union
I supply all of the holders etc. - most couples supply their own candles as they would like to keep them as Keepsakes
- I can supply candles if required.

HANDFAST

Couples are invited to take their vows while in a "Handfast"

This is an ancient custom
dating back to Brehon law
Where promised couples were tied together on social occasions
- it's where the phrase
"tying the knot" comes from
The idea was that they
would have to stay together
during their engagement
and get to know each-other
and their families, villages, etc.
It was to ensure that the "match" would be a good one
and that the couple would genuinely love each other and stay together
Today, we loosely loop a cord around the joined hands
of the Bride and Groom
as they take their vows
The cord is removed after the vows as the couple will no longer need anything "material"
to hold them together

LOVING CUP (QUAICH)

The Celtic history of
the "Loving Cup"
is one of sharing and protecting. The cup symbolises the cup of life, filled with "loves journey"
It is a two-handled bowl
so that it can be passed
from Bride to Groom
and they each drink 3 times
to their shared past,
present and future.
Those who drink deeply
from the Loving Cup,
with an open heart
and a willing spirit
invite the full range of challenges and experiences into their being
and into their marriage

SAND CEREMONY
BLENDING A FAMILY

A sand ceremony is particularly effective
if either or both of the Bride and

Groom have children

Kids love playing with the sand!!!
The concept is that each member individually
has a coloured sand
which is then poured in layers into a glass container
As each layer goes in
- each individual
is recognised by their coloured layer
as a member of this newly formed "Married" family
It is fun to do
and it is a beautiful reminder
of your wedding ceremony
for all the years to come

WEDDING-RING WARMING

A Wedding-Ring Warming
is carried out
at the start of the Ceremony
The Best Man, or whoever
is looking after the rings
is asked to pass the rings
among the guests
The guests are asked to dig deep into their hearts
and find all the love they have
for the Bride and Groom
and to transfer this love
along with all their best wishes
into the rings
The rings which start off
as 2 pieces of precious metal, now become transformed by the powerful energy of love and joy transmitted by the guests
It is a simple and wonderful way
to involve all of your guests
in your wedding ceremony

OATHING STONE

An oathing stone,
used while taking vows
is very effective
It symbolises your oath/vows
to each other being
"written in stone"
The stone can be held in
the joined hands of
the Bride and Groom or
they can place their hands over it The stone can be located somewhere special to the couple
- a beach
- a garden
- the place the proposal took place
or a first date
It's entirely up to you
to tell your own love story
and make your vows in stone

WINE BOX TREE PLANTING

These ceremonies are two wonderful ways
to creating long-lasting memories of your Wedding Ceremony.
Wine Box
- the couple each write personal vows,
or a simple note to each other
which they encase in the Wine Box during the Ceremony,
and they keep, perhaps until an anniversary,
to open and relive the precious moments
of love and emotion they felt during their Wedding Ceremony.
Tree Planting
- this is an eco-conscious ritual
which catches the eye of modern-day partners,
looking for a fresh twist on an ancient unity ceremony
which is recognised in many cultures throughout the world.
It represents a relationship taking root,
growing and flourishing in harmony with the earth,
as you officially become a family

ROSE CEREMONY

After taking their vows
the couple each take a rose
- the universal symbol of love
and they gift the rose to each other
It is the first gift they give and receive as a newly married person

The gift of the rose to each other symbolises the gift of everything
they are to each other
- their past, present and future
- the very essence of who they are
- their love
They place the two roses
in a central vase to show
the joining of their lives
Some couples choose 10 or 12
family members or friends
to also receive a rose from either
the Bride or Groom
All of the roses come together in the central vase as a symbol of the two lives joining completely in marriage

Fisherman's Knot

The tying of the Fisherman's Knot
is great fun for the Bride and Groom
as they have to learn
how to tie this knot
and practice tying it
prior to the ceremony
The Fisherman's Knot
also known as "The True Lovers Knot" is a simple knot
but probably one of the sturdiest
As you tie the two individual cords together and pull upon it
the knot becomes tighter

This symbolises both of you
as individuals coming together
and forming a bond that
despite the changes
and adversity life brings
your marriage will only become stronger as you support each other

INVOLVE YOUR CHILDREN

It is lovely to find ways
to get your children involved
in the ceremony
Lets be honest
little kids are not
going to sit quietly while
mammy and daddy
are doing something interesting
so let's get them involved
it keeps the little ones occupied
and it allows the older ones
to feel fully involved
in their parent(s) big day

SPECIAL WELCOME

This candle is lit before the ceremony starts
and the Bride arrives
It can be lit by the Groom
or another family member or friend.

As the ceremony starts
and I welcome the bridal party
we take a moment to remember
in a very special way
those who cannot be with us
perhaps a loved one who has passed away
or those who were unable to travel etc.
I remind everyone
that the light of the candle symbolises their love
and their presence in Spirit
It is a beautiful and moving way
to include anyone absent

BRIDES & GROOMS

I WEAR MY "RAINBOW" STOLE
WITH PRIDE AND HONOUR
WHEN CELEBRATING LGBTIQ WEDDINGS
AND LEGAL UNIONS

"Love is the voice under all silences
The hope which has no opposite in fear
The strength so strong mere force is feebleness
The truth more first than sun
More last than star"
- ee Cummings

MY PROMISE
OF UNLIMITED SUPPORT

My promise of unlimited support
includes our initial meeting and interview

I will gather all of the general information
to help create a 1st draft of your ceremony

I can give you tips on writing your Vows,
and picking the perfect Readings etc.

We can explore your options,
create new ideas, mix the modern with the traditional
so that you will have a one-of-a-kind ceremony held by me

I will create the ceremony for your approval

We can meet as often as you like,
and I will always be at the end of the phone
- no questions is too trivial

I will coordinate a stress free and smooth ceremony
which will be brought to life
by balancing the correct energy and flow

I would be privileged to be a part of
the creation of your Wedding Day
and to hear the real brave and bold stories of love.

RENEW YOUR VOWS
& DECLARE YOUR LOVE

A Renewal of Vows ceremony is a most beautiful declaration of eternal love

a statement to each other of the deepest respect and commitment

one person can have for another

It says to the world that Love has no ending
That with the passage of time love can change - but doesn't fail
Love is the action of two hearts inhabiting one soul

Renewal of Vows is the perfect way to celebrate an anniversary
1 year after marriage or 60 years later

Sometimes it is the catalyst to healing a marriage
Couples having spent some time apart and find love is still present
hold a Renewal of Vows ceremony
to declare that the power of their love can overcome any obstacle

Whatever the motivation this ceremony is truly a moment of beauty

TESTiMONIALS

Babs, what can I say, we were both blown away by the ceremony on Saturday. It was perfect!! As you said you could feel the love in the room. I'm sure everyone will say that about their wedding but I could see the love and support in everyone's eyes..
Your presentation was simply perfect..the guests were blown away by the ceremony...it all came together beautiful and at the heart of it , you. Thank you.
Eamonn and I, would like to say a huge thank you for creating lifelong memories that we will never forget. We are absolutely still on a high.
Love Morry & Eamonn Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Firstly, Can I thank you so very much for everything you did for us in the run up and on the day itself. From your very professional advice, support and enthusiasm from our first meeting to giving us the ceremony of our dreams. It was exactly what we wanted! Completely personal to us and so heartfelt! Our guests (Young and old) are still mentioning how fabulous and moving our ceremony was! This was all because of you. We were so nervous but you made us feel so at ease and we felt like we knew you all our lives! It was like having a friend marry us!
All I can say is any couple is lucky to have you be their Celebrant.
The ceremony itself is one of my very favourite parts of the day and we will be forever grateful to you for all of your kindness, professionalism and lovely memories.
Thanks so much again,
Yvonne and Maurice,

We wanted to say a HUGE thank you!! The service was out of this world and way beyond our expectations. You did an incredible job and ensured our day was truly memorable. Everyone raved about you and how wonderful and inclusive the ceremony was, My father in law described it as "a breath of fresh air". Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our heart for making our day magical
Jen & Wil

From the bottom of our hearts we want to just say the biggest thank you. Our ceremony was absolutely stunning and exceeded both of our expectations. You have such a special energy about you and we both knew from the get-go it was you who was meant to marry us.
You created such a special ceremony for us filled with such beauty and grace, we couldn't have asked for better. You are definitely meant to do what you are doing. If there's somewhere I can leave a review please let me know so we can sing your praises, we don't have facebook but anywhere else let me know.
We both wish you all the best for the future and in life, we will never forget our amazing ceremony and will never forget you for everything you did for us.
Hannah & Darragh

Thank you so much for Saturday. I knew you were going to be brilliant after seeing you before anyway!
Guests were constantly commenting on how much they liked the ceremony and how personal it was. We will definitely recommend you to even more people thank we already have ????
Thanks so much again.
Theresa and Andrew ❤️

Babs,
What to say only a heartfelt thank you from both Brian and I for the absolutely gorgeous job you did on our ceremony in Castlemartyr last Sunday.
Unflappable regardless of the madness of the Irish weather (wind, rain, cloud, sun!), you were a calm and collected presence, an absolute pro.
The ceremony was exactly what we hoped it would be - a gorgeous mix of the personal and the sacred. You encompassed all beliefs and creeds to ensure all our guests felt included and represented, and you made our moment of marriage feel really profound. AND you were a ray of sunshine in your gorgeous yellow outfit!
So many people commented on the fabulous job you did. We are so happy we had you as our celebrant, and we'll be recommending you far and wide.
Thank you so much again. Wishing you all the best,
Mr and Mrs Lonergan ;)

Barbara, We just wanted to send you a quick email, to thank you for making our wedding ceremony so beautiful, honestly it was intimate and personal to us and our story and your warmth just shone through, it was just perfect.

Thank you so much for everything, including the lead up to the ceremony were you reminded us exactly what the day was about and that the universe had other plans for our day, we held onto that thought and I am so glad we did, because the day was magical and you were a huge part of that.

- Caroline & Dave

Barbara, Words can't be described how much of a wonderful person you are. From the moment we made contact with you, we felt so comfortable. The ceremony itself was delivered effortlessly by you. The little personal touches you made and all the advice.

We cannot thank you enough for being apart of our special day

- Larina and Jason

"We chose Barbara to officiate at our Wedding

She is extremely passionate about her work
and couldn't do enough for us
We met on numerous occasions
as Barbara wanted to take the time to get to know us
and personalised our ceremony
We couldn't recommend Barbara enough
She made our wedding day so special"
- Angie & Robert

"We have the privilege of working with Barbara
for our Wedding next year having had to postpone
She's fantastic! The ceremony is personal
We sat down together to run through ideas
of what we want to include
She is so open-minded and encouraging
and brings an amazing range of ideas to the table
Highly recommend her for anyone looking for a Celebrant/Solemniser"
- Fiona & Shaun

"Good morning, Rev. Babs
We just wanted to thank you
for making our Special Day even more "US"
than we could have imagined.
We laughed, we cried, we committed to each other
in every way that mattered to us
in front of our friends and families
and we have to thank you for creating
such a warm and magical atmosphere.
All our guests simply loved you and your work
and complimented us on our choice of Solemniser
A big "Thank you" again
- Kitty and Peter

“I have known Barbara for a long number of years as a colleague, a friend but more importantly as a very special
caring and compassionate soul
Barbara recently officiated at my daughter’s wedding and it was a truly beautiful, personal, intimate and emotional ceremony
The words and passages were chosen by my daughter, her husband and Barbara and were a beautiful mix of new and old
some words taken from modern songs and poetry
and also some from old Celtic blessings and customs
So I have no hesitation in recommending Barbara to any couple planning to arrange their wedding
in a most personal and intimate ceremony"
- Joan Murphy

WORKING TOGETHER

"Myself, Ciara and Katie cannot thank you enough
for our wedding ceremony last Saturday.

From the moment we met you,
we felt sooo comfortable and sooo relaxed.
The ceremony, you delivered effortlessly,
and all the personal touches you added,
we will never forget.
Every person in the room came up to us after,
and said it was the nicest cereony.
Thank you Barbara"