Emma Sides
HSE-Registered Legal Solemniser
800+ weddings · Doing this since 2007
I’m one of Ireland’s original and best wedding celebrants. I’ve been doing this since 2007, I’ve married over 800 couples, and I absolutely love what I do.
My ceremonies are completely tailored to the two of you. There’s no set script – you get to choose every word that’s said on the day – so your values and personalities are genuinely reflected. I’m not mumbling to myself with my face buried in a script. I’m engaging with you and your guests, I know how to hold a room, and I know how to make a ceremony flow so that it holds everyone’s attention.
“I’m also the calmest, most relaxed person you’ve ever met, and I always put my clients completely at ease.”
I was in the Sunday World recently – you can read the article on my About page.
A lovely way to welcome a new baby into your family and your community – relaxed, personal, and with the little one at the heart of it.
Naming ceremonies
Warm, engaging, personal and straight from the heart. No set script, no endless rituals, and it’s not about me – it’s about the two of you. As an HSE-registered legal solemniser I can make your marriage legal within the ceremony, so it’s all signed, sealed and delivered in the one venue.
Humanist wedding ceremonies
A humanist funeral honours the life of the person who has died. We tell stories, share memories, share photos and listen to music that meant something to them. Even if you’d never met the person, you should walk away with a lovely sense of who they were.
Funerals and memorials(Also available: Coming of Age and Milestone ceremonies, End of Life Doula support, and Döstädning – gentle, practical support for families.)
Get hold of me through the website or give me a call. We’ll have a chat, and once I have your details I’ll send you a booking letter, an invoice and the ceremony documents.
I send you a number of documents on the different parts of the ceremony so you can choose the wording that best reflects the two of you. All you have to do is copy and paste the bits you like – I do all the rest. Closer to the day we have a proper chat and go through everything from start to finish, and you get a full polished draft. In the meantime I’m always available for any questions.
Simple as!
Yes. Humanist celebrants are HSE-registered legal solemnisers, so you’re properly married by the end of the ceremony – no separate trip to the registry office. You just need to give the HSE three months’ notice.
Pretty much any public venue – grand and imposing, small and intimate, indoors or outdoors, a hotel or an art gallery. The choice is yours. Ceremony and reception in the same venue is extremely convenient for you and your guests.
There’s no right time and there are no rules. Most couples go for between 2 and 3pm, some go for noon, some go for the evening with food straight after. It’s up to you and the venue.
Both are non-religious and both are legal, but in reality they couldn’t be more different. A civil ceremony runs to a set script and can’t happen at weekends or on public holidays. A humanist ceremony is written around the two of you, any day, any time, and you choose every word.
No. I’m based in Dublin but I’ve done ceremonies all over Ireland.
I’ll be totally honest, most people don’t. But when people do it’s always lovely and very special, so I’d encourage you to consider it. Either way there are loads of lovely options, and I’m always available with help and encouragement.
If you’re looking for a humanist wedding celebrant in Ireland, I’m really good at what I do and I’d love to look after you on your big day. For more information or to book a ceremony please don’t hesitate to contact me.
