What Music Do I Need for a Civil Wedding Ceremony in Ireland?

Secular ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular these days, with more and more couples opting to say “I do” outside of a traditional church setting. Be it a secular ceremony led by a celebrant, or a civil ceremony led by a HSE registrar, the beauty of a non-religious ceremony lies in the ability to truly personalise your event, making your big day extra special.

Music can play a huge role in enhancing that personal touch: your favourite song might serve as a reminder of a special moment in your relationship, or maybe there’s a track that never fails to have you both singing along as you blast it on the car radio - a heartfelt rendition of a meaningful musical number adds to the magic of an already special day.

The right musical choices will help to set the mood for your whole celebration and we know that all the couples who hire us want to get it just right. One of the top questions we receive relating to music on the big day is ‘how much music do I need for a civil ceremony?’

We get it - live ceremony music is an investment. Too little and you might feel like you haven’t gotten your money’s worth. Too much and you risk your ceremony being transformed into a concert (though if that’s what you want, then go for it). So, how much music do you need for a civil wedding ceremony in Ireland?

The good news is that you can choose as much or as little music as you would like to enhance your wedding ceremony. Most celebrants will advise to choose anywhere from 3 to 5 pieces, but know that if you would like to opt for more, you can.

Some of the special moments we have marked with music in secular ceremonies are:

  • Pre-ceremony Song

  • Bridal Party Entrance

  • Lighting of Candles

  • Ring Warming

  • Sand Ceremony

  • Handfasting

  • Declaration of Marriage

  • Bridal Party Exit

Civil vs Secular Ceremonies

Civil ceremonies are performed by a HSE registrar who works for the State. These ceremonies can take place in a registry office, or licensed venue.

NB It’s important to remember that there should be no mention of anything religious or spiritual in a civil ceremony. This also applies to your choice of music.

Secular ceremonies are carried out by a registered solemniser who is typically registered with a body or organisation that holds a non-religious or spiritual viewpoint. Humanist ceremonies for example are the one of the most common types of secular ceremony in Ireland.

NB Only a registered solemniser can perform a legally binding wedding ceremony. If you would like an unregistered celebrant to marry you then you would need to conduct the legal wedding ceremony on a separate day.


Photo by Sofia Hernandez on Unsplash

Carmel Whelan