This is Charlie and well you can see he was enjoying his moment of glory at Tankardstown house.

There are plenty of meaningful ways to have your children in your wedding. I’d say the ceremony can be the hardest times for children at weddings.  They have to sit still and be quite, and the truth is they find it bloody boring!!!
If your inviting children other than your own remember parents will be keeping a close an eye on their children during wedding ceremony, so you really don’t need to worry about any of this.  But, if you are worried about crying babies throughout the ceremony, I’d suggest announcing at the beginning of the ceremony, that it’s fine for parents to leave the room if they need to – just to encourage them to actually leave!! Also as a celebrant it’s horrible trying to talk about love over a screaming toddler ( just saying )
Before you start, you really need to think through how the day is going to flow, and how involved do you want the children to be, and what kind of day do you want it to be for them.  Consider their ages and expectations, before making a firm decision.
Do you want to have them at the ceremony? It's important to think it all through, and plan the details carefully, so the day is stress-free and fun for everyone (kids, parents and other guests too!).
There are lots of ways, big and small, to include children in your ceremony even if they are not part of the bridal party. Most children love having a special job and will be delighted to be included, just make sure the job is appropriate for their age.

• Give older kids readings to do or the job of bringing the gifts or symbols of the relationship if you're having a civil ceremony.
• Children doing readings is a popular option, I've compiled a list of suitable readings you might like to include.
• Older more outgoing children might want to sing a special song (but beware of this one, you don't want any Simon Cowell commentary from your uncles about 'performances' afterwards)
• Giving wedding programmes to guests before the ceremony is usually the job of the groomsmen or ushers, but smaller children love to be special helpers.
• Include your own children or your partner's children in the lighting of the unity candle ( age appropriate obviously as candles are not suitable for small children ), or as part of a sand ceremony. These are perfect ways to show children that they are an important part of their parents' lives and to show their importance in their parents' future. It also is a brilliant family photo opportunity because after all who doesn't like pouring sand.
• You could also ask the officiant - celebrant  to mention their names during the ceremony to make them feel extra special.
•  The really fun one - kids love confetti so putting them in charge of handing out bags of confetti is a dream job for kids.

And finally, don't get flustered if one of the little ones gets stage fright. It's your wedding - not a stage show, and small children can't be expected to perform on cue! So be ready with a plan b.

​Lots of love  Jo x

A celebrant is someone who specialises in creating and conducting ceremonies. Mostly we are associated with weddings but we also conduct ceremonies at other life events such as vow renewals, funerals and baby naming.
A legal solemniser is someone who can conduct a legal marriage ceremony at your venue on your wedding day. This can be non religious, include blessings for those who choose to have it, spiritual or a combination of different traditions or beliefs that reflect those of each individual. I am an interfaith minister and so Im happy to reflect the couples beliefs and not my own.
Its a very hands on, service where I personally like to get to know the couple, know their sence of humour , what they love, what they hate and what's important to them as a couple so that I can then reflect that in their ceremony. Think of me as your wedding coach, agony aunt and new bestie all rolled into one and together we create the perfect most memorable ( for all the right reasons ) wedding ceremony
From the start I help you with the legal aspect and point you in the right direction with straight talking advice and directions for getting that famous green folder. During the planning process we will have many chats and you will be armed with checklist that take the stress out of your planning
The most important thing is that you get a ceremony that you love and enjoy being front and centre of, that we have fun along the way and that on the day you are relaxed and enjoying your own ceremony as much as your guests are. I cannot stress enough how important the vibe and energy of the ceremony is to setting up the rest of your day.
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While your ceremony is only a small part of your wedding day, there is absolutely no doubt that it is the most important part. After all its where you officially become married and get to say " I do ", but your ceremony also sets the tone of how the rest of the days celebrations will unfold and that's why finding the right fit for you as a couple and the tone you want to set is an absolute must.
I always advise couples check out the style of your wedding suppliers and talk with them and get to know if you actually like them because they will be the people up close with you on one of the biggest moments in your lives. You will 100% get what you pay for and why have ordinary when you can have extraordinary, remarkable, amazing, the difference between a mundane ceremony and a celebrant who can hold and engage the room, the promise that your guests will be blown away, guaranteeing they will be talking about your ceremony for years to come.
The energy your celebrant brings to the occasion is priceless.
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* Work out what you want
Its often easier to find what you want when you know what your looking for. Think of style of celebrant you are after for example: relaxed/ fun/ traditional/ formal. Think about weddings you have been to in the past and what you liked and more importantly didn't like.
The more you refine and get clear on this the more it will help you on the journey to finding a celebrant that's perfectly matched to you.
*Do Your research
Referrals from family, friends and venues is a great place to start. But do your own homework, search online, check your celebrants online presence from websites, to Instagram - is it the vibe you want, are they professional. As a celebrant I can tell you that I love when a couple have done their research.
All the things I have mentioned will give you a great insight into choosing someone well matched to you and from here you can create a shortlist. This advice is crucial to choosing all your wedding suppliers 
* Reach out and enquire
The best way to contact your celebrant or wedding suppliers will be on the contact form on their website or message them via their online. Outline your brief and include the venue, date and ask about their availability - if you are flexible be clear and specific. Try and avoid only asking about price as this is the reason you were to do your research in the first place and these no price on professionalism
Many celebrants get booked up well in advance so if you have your heart set on a supplier flexibility around dates will avoid that disappointment
* Meet or zoom and engage as much as possible
One you have made your enquiry and are happy to investigate further make a plan to meet up in person or virtually. I set a time on this step so be sure to come to the table with your own work done, ideas and questions. If you don't know where to start the celebrant can be you saviour as they will be able to guide you through options, the process and of course be able to make recommendations based on their professional experience. The initial contact is a no strings attached meeting so use this opportunity wisely to find out what they offer, if you can picture them being involved in your big day. The key is to trust your gut, people buy from people and its important that its a 2 way process and that you gel, so make sure your feeling this good vibes all the way and have FUN