Civil Ceremony Procedure

Ms2011

Can anyone who's had a Civil Ceremony explain to me the procedure for getting everything in order. I've read and re-read the HSE's website but I find it all a bit confusing (maybe I'm not as bright as I like to think )
Is it best to book the venue, then the Soleminister and then give your notice of intention to marry, just trying to get it all straight in my head before I start ringing around and making arrangements.
Any help on this would be great

pwurple

You need to get the officient and the venue dates to line up first of all... That is the hard part. So get that organised first, and then, yes, book an appointment to give notice of intention to marry.

Ms2011

Great thanks, now why couldn't the HSE website just explain it like that :-D

tatli_lokma

that is of course if you are using a solemniser which is not the HSE registrar.

If you want to use the HSE registrar, then you need to get available dates from the venue, contact the HSE, get available dates for the registrar and then hope you can get the same date for both! if you can, book both asap.

Ms2011

And there's me thinking having a Civil Ceremony would make things less complicated!!!
Is it ok to say I am HATING planning a wedding, can't wait to marry my oh but all these things you have to get right is making my head feel like it's going to explode!
So out of my comfort zone here :O

totallegend

That HSE website is atrocious for explaining things, but when we actually went in to do the intention to marry thing, the people in there (registrar office in Dublin) could not have been more helpful or informative, so don't freak out.

SmilingLurker

I found once you have a date, organise an appointment with the registrar. Getting them on a phone is a nightmare. They were really helpful once we met met them in person.

Good luck, and congratulations!

Kristopherus

And have plenty of extra shekels in your pocket. Prices for all documentation & registrar stuff have all gone up considerably this week.

pwurple

Kristopherus wrote: »

And have plenty of extra shekels in your pocket. Prices for all documentation & registrar stuff have all gone up considerably this week.

Ack, you're right! 200 euros now, and it used to be 150. That's some jump overnight.

Ms2011

All good to know, thanks all!
I think you're right, once I get the paperwork out of the way I'll calm down :-)

Ronan|Raven

Kristopherus wrote: »

And have plenty of extra shekels in your pocket. Prices for all documentation & registrar stuff have all gone up considerably this week.

Yup, meeting my registrar tomorrow and it is now 200 up from 150

collie0708

Can anyone tell me how long the average civil ceremony lasts???

tatli_lokma

minimum about 15 mins. But if you customise it to include other things (like readings, poems, music, candle ceremony etc) it takes about 45-50 mins. It all depends on what you add in. If you are having it in the registry office you are more tied to a time limit, if you have it offsite it can be more flexible. Ours was offsite and was 50 mins more or less from the time I walked up the aisle to the time we both walked down it! So it can be a quick in-and-out job, or a longer ceremony - it's up to you.

collie0708

Ah we are having ours in our hotel,all the weddings I have been to have always been in a church so want to make the ceremony special for my wife to be without boring my guests to tears. Anyone any option on what works well???

tatli_lokma

LOADS (and I mean mind boggling amounts) of samples online for civil ceremonies. You need to follow the basic guideline supplied by the HSE which basically has all the legal parts and what order they must go in. After that you can customise it as you wish as long as there are no religious references. Ours went HSE greeting bit, 1st part of candle lighting (with music), reading, music, more HSE bits, reading, music, poem, HSE bit, our own vows, 2nd part of candle lighting ceremony (with music) final HSE bit, sign register (with music), big kiss, walk down the aisle! Took 48 mins!