What is a Marriage License?

What is a Marriage License?

by | May 1, 2022 | Latest News

 

How Do We Get Our Marriage License?

I am often asked this question by couples when they first book me, after which I carefully explain that in modern Ireland the Marriage License is known as the “Marriage Registration Form” or “MRF” for short.   But many people still prefer to refer to this printed document as their Marriage License. 

After all it does make a lot of sense, as their Marriage License/MRF is that “sacred” piece of paper which allows them to be legally married on their chosen wedding day!

What is the Marriage License/MRF For ?

In order for a marriage to be legally recognised the marriage must registered with the HSE Civil Registration Office, as for births and deaths.   The Marriage License/MRF is the printed document signed during your marriage ceremony by the 5 people who are signatories to the marriage as evidence of the legal marriage. 

Those five signatories to your marriage are:

  1. Your authorised and registered Solemniser/Celebrant
  2. The couple who are getting married
  3. and their two witnesses, who are both over the age of 18 years old.  

Once signed during the marriage ceremony, the Marriage License/MRF becomes the legal evidence that your marriage was conducted in accordance with the Marriage Act, by a Celebrant who is correctly registered with the Government and duly authorised to Solemnise marriages. 

Once your ceremony has concluded, your signed Marriage License/MRF must be returned to the HSE in order to finalise the proper registration of your legal marriage.  My general advice is to return this signed Marriage License/MRF to the HSE immediately or as soon as possible within 30 days.

How Do We Obtain A Marriage License/MRF ?

The process of registering your marriage with the HSE commences firstly by booking an appointment to attend any HSE Civil Registration Office of your choice to “Notify your Intention to Marry”, also known as your “HSE Notification Appointment”.

The non-refundable fee for this is currently €200, and this must be completed at least 3 months before your intended wedding day and no more than 12 months before.   

For urgent and unforeseen circumstances there is a procedure to waive the 3 month minimum notice period.  Although I am an expert in this area, I will never provide specific advice on how that is done without first chatting to the couple, because each case is so different and in most cases the waiver of the 3 month minimum notice period just may not be possible.

If all required information has been provided at your HSE appointment, including your required ID documents, your Marriage License/MRF will be provided to you in a Green Folder at the conclusion your “Notification of Intention to Marry” appointment with the HSE. 

Can the “Notification of Intention to Marry” Appointment be Booked Online?

In most cases your “Notification Appointment” can be booked online.  The HSE have provided the following handy link on their website for doing just that: https://www2.hse.ie/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/getting-married/book-appointment/

For couples residing overseas – the HSE does have an online/email/remote procedure for notifying your intention to marry, which requires an in-person meeting at some point much closer to your wedding date,   The HSE are always best to advise on this procedure, as ID documentation requirements can vary from one country to another and many couple’s circumstances are different.

Where Does the Term “Marriage License” Come From?

The term “Marriage License” is generally used in the USA to describe the piece of paper signed by the licensed Officiant, the couple and their witnesses during the marriage ceremony.  So it’s no suprise that American couples getting married in Ireland will always ask questions about to to get their Marriage License. 

But did you know, the term “Marriage Licence” can be traced all the way back to the Irish Marriage and Registration Act 1856 !  Something I discovered myself while conducting detailed research of the Marriage Act and its origins.

So it’s no wonder the term “Marriage License” is still used here in Ireland when referring to the MRF or Marriage Registration Form, because it is essentially and historically the same thing.

For all questions relating to booking your “Notification Appointment” including what documentation you must provide at your Notification Appointment, please contact your chosen HSE Civil Registration Office.

The HSE have provided a handy contact details lookup tool here on their website:  https://www2.hse.ie/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/find-a-civil-registration-service/

So there you go – have you got your Marriage License yet?

Rev Sharon Q.

Non-denominational Celebrant & Holistic Minister
from Australia, now based in Cork City, Ireland since 2013

https://5starceremonies.ie

 

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Wedding Reading No.51 – True Love

Wedding Reading No.51 – True Love

by | Apr 18, 2022 | Latest News, Readings

True Love

By Sharon Quigley

When you find the person who you will spend the rest of your life with, you just know when that special connection is there.
Like the moments when you both think of the same thing, or speak exactly the same words at the same time.
True love means so much more than just loving another person, it is also about being loved back just as much,
so much that the two of you create an endless circle of love, so continously strong and powerful that it never has a chance to fade.
True love means spending the rest of your life with your best friend. Someone you can always count on to be there for you, through any situation – tough or easy.
True love means you don’t ever see anything imperfect in the other, because you love them so completely for who they are, and because anything about them, just gives you another reason to love them even more.
True love means never allowing the sun to set on an argument. True love is knowing you are both in it for the long haul, knowing there is no possibility of escape, because true love is the adventure that lasts forever.
Your new adventure has just begun!

 

Ring Warming Irish Wedding Tradition

Ring Warming Irish Wedding Tradition

by | Apr 16, 2022 | Ceremony Ideas

Example Wording for Ring Warming

The tradition of ring warming has it’s roots in Ireland and is a custom of old.

The idea of “warming” your rings during the wedding ceremony, before you place them on each other’s fingers for life.

The power of all the good wishes flowing through the wedding rings on your wedding day is enough to see any couple through any hard times and all the good tiems, their whole lives through

In a moment, we will pass around the wedding rings, we call this a ring warming.   As there are so many people here, we will pass the rings only to those in the front two rows.

For those in the front two rows, Aoife & Peter are asking that as you pause and hold the wedding rings for a moment, that you will send your positive vibes, blessings and prayers for their marriage into the rings before passing them to the person next to you.  

We ask that those of you in the remaining rows send your good wishes for Aoife & Peter into their wedding rings as the music plays.

Once the weddings rings have made their way back to me,   Aoife & Peter will exchange the rings and carry your love and good wishes with them, as they embark on their new journey through life together.

[ Rings are passed along the first two rows while music plays]

Wedding rings are returned to the celebrant, who passes the wedding rings to the couple.

How to Lodge your Notification of Intention to Marry with the HSE

How to Lodge your Notification of Intention to Marry with the HSE

by | Feb 13, 2022 | Getting Married in Ireland, Latest News

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What Is This All About?

All couples getting married in Ireland who wish to have their Irish wedding ceremony recognised as a legal marriage, must lodge their “Notification of Intention to Marry” or NOIM with the HSE.   In order to do this in person, you must make an in-person appointment with a HSE Civil Registration Office of your choice. The fee for this is currently €200.

If you are living abroad, you can lodge your NOIM by email or by post.  If you email the HSE Office most convenient to where you will be staying and ask them for advice on submitting your NOIM by email or by post.  (You should never post originals of important documents as they may be lost in the post.)

There are some requirements of the Marriage Act to comply with:

  • you must lodge your NOIM with the HSE at least 3 months before your wedding date
  • and this can be done up to 12 months in advance of your wedding.  

My advice for those who wish to be married less than 12 months from now, is to book your HSE appointment right away, even if you haven’t yet chosen your wedding venue or your Celebrant/Solemniser. 

Make your appointment a good few weeks away, giving yourself plenty of time to choose your wedding venue and your Celebrant/Solemniser.  If you haven’t yet chosen your Celebrant you may wish to read my article Can a Celebrant Legally Marry You for some essential advice that you should not be without.

How to Book Your Notification Appointment

Contact your nearest HSE Civil Registration Office to book your appointment either by email, or over the phone.  If you are living in Ireland, most HSE Civil Registration Offices you can also book your notification appointment online which can save a lot of time. You can also email the office directly.  You can’t book your appointment online if you are living abroad.  You must contact the HSE Office of your choice by phone or email.

For a list of HSE Civil Registration Office contacts see this page.

If you email the HSE office located most conveniently to you they will confirm what documentation they need you to bring with you for your circumstances.  Your documentation may include:

  • Capture of Data Form (Download from link below)
  • Full birth certificate
  • Photo ID
  • Plus anything else you are requested to bring – please ask your HSE office

It is not appropriate for me to advise the complete list of documents you need to bring to your HSE appointment as each situation can be different and usually is. Please ask your HSE Civil Registration office what documents they need from you.

At your HSE notification appointment if you have provided all the necessary information your marriage registration form/marriage licence (MRF) will be printed and given to you in the all-important “Green Folder”.   You are required to bring your “Green Folder” and MRF with you to your wedding as your MRF is the legal document which needs to be signed during your ceremony.

Capture of Data Form ..

What if Our Wedding is Less 3 Months Away?

If your wedding is less than 3 months away, you can obtain a court order to give you an exemption from the 3 months minimum notice. If your wedding is less than 3 months away and you would like to be legally married, please call me for advice as there are circumstances where the court order is granted and there are circumstances where it is not, so it is not appropriate for me to post that advice here online.

You should also be well on the way booking all your suppliers who are going to come together to make your big day happen!

Celebrant Guarantee

As a valued member of the Enchanted Ceremonies group of non-denominational Celebrants, Holistic Ministers & Solemnisers, there is always a backup Celebrant on hand in case of an unforeseen emergency - this is your Celebrant guarantee!

Your Special Day

If you believe your ceremony should be an important part of your special day, no matter how big or small your ceremony wishes may be, you have found the right place.

If you would like a ceremony as unique as you are - created to suit your own style, please don't hesitate to get in touch so I can answer any questions you might have - and to find out if I am available on your big day.  I would be honoured to work with you!

From Australia
now based in Cork City, Ireland

5 Essential Tips for Your Ceremony Table Centre-piece

5 Essential Tips for Your Ceremony Table Centre-piece

by | Jan 25, 2022 | Ceremony Ideas

Believe it or not, this essential detail is sometimes forgotten!  But not any more, not with me anyway.  Not since I arrived at three separate weddings within a few weeks of each other, to find the ceremony table completely empty each time.  Each time I improvised and cut some fresh ivy and flowers from the gardens outside (with permission) to make a lovely fresh arrangement, which was certainly beautiful.

But I have now made it my responsibility to ensure this never happens again to any of the couples I work with.  The last thing you want to see is an empty ceremony table.  You have gone to so much trouble to make everything else on the day look so beautiful, and a bare ceremony table is not a good look at all.  So many times I have also borrowed a vase filled with fresh flowers from elsewhere within the wedding venue, as a ceremony table centre-piece.  Usually from a hall table somewhere within the building, always with permission from the venue’s wedding co-ordinator of course.

Even if you don’t like flowers, I have some great ideas for you to help you ensure that your ceremony table is decorated perfectly, and here are some of them.   Even the most basic solution really adds a little something special to your ceremony space.

My No.1 suggestion for your ceremony table centrepiece – if you will have a floral or greenery centre-piece for your “Top table”, (Bride & Groom table at the reception) this can serve a dual purpose as the centre-piece on your ceremony table as well – and the look is absolutley stunning!

Where do you find the floral centre-piece for your top table you might ask?  Here are my 5 essential tips:

 1. Provided by the Venue

Firstly – it’s always best to first have a chat with your wedding venue’s event co-ordinator, to find out what options they might already provide you for your top table centre-piece, as standard in your wedding package.  Some wedding venues take great pride in providing a floral arrangment for the top table made from fresh greenery and florals picked on-site from their own garden, included as part of your wedding package.  Or they may even have a standing order with a local florist. 

If your top-table centre-piece will be provided by your venue as part of your wedding package, it will definitely be most suitable for dual use as your ceremony table centre-piece so please don’t hesitate to ask your wedding venue if it’s already included.

2. Skilfully Handmade with Love

If you have a beloved family member or friend who enjoys handcrafts, don’t be shy to ask if they would like to make you a centrepiece arrangement with flowers and greenery fresh from their garden (or silk flowers) which can double as both the centrepiece for your ceremony table, and your reception top table.  You will find the florist oasis foam block for the base is readily available from your nearest craft shop, which can of course be purchased well in advance.   A beloved family member who enjoys handcrafts would be so honoured with this role, so please don’t be shy to ask.

3. Made with Silk Flowers

If you enjoy handcrafts yourself, you may wish to make your own table centre-piece from silk flowers and greenery which can be used for your ceremony table, and your reception top table.  All are available from your nearest craft shop, and you can also order online.  The advantage of working with silk flowers, is that the arrangement can be made well in advance,   It’s always good to have something you have prepared earlier!   These days the quality of silk flowers and greenery available is SO realistic – it can be very difficult to tell the difference from the real thing!

You will find plenty of tutorials on Youtube, and ideas for inspiration on Pinterest on how to make your own centre-piece arrangment.  You may also be so inspired to make your own bridal bouquet from silk flowers also, as well as other florals required on the day.

4. Florist supplied

Fresh Flowers – if you really have your heart set on fresh flowers – you can ask your florist to provide a table centrepiece for you.  This can be used for both your ceremony table, and your reception top table.  Please don’t hesitate to chat to me before speaking to your florist and I can give you some useful questions to ask.

5. Keep it Simple – the Basic Form

The basic ceremony table centre-piece which looks amazing is fresh ivy from your own garden, the garden of a beloved family member, or even garden of your wedding venue (with permission of course)

A great idea if your wedding venue has extensive landscaped gardens abundant with ivy.  I can prepare this for you on the day very quickly and easily and it looks fabulous.   One glorious summers day I was conducting a marriage ceremony a lovely 5 star mansion house, where I discovered there was no floral centrepiece for the ceremony table.   

The kind butler offered to pick the ivy for me.  He was very proud to give me an extra special tip!  For the best ivy, always pick the ivy growing up the side of a tree trunk.  The leaves will be much closer together as the ivy defies the forces of gravity to grow upwards.   This option is especially good if you are concerned that someone present may have allergies to certain fresh flowers.

Above: Silk arrangement I’ve made from silk vines of willow leaves, and eucalyptus leaves, with sprays of silk Gypsophilia inserted at various points.  Very simple but so elegant.

If you don’t have any other options, I would be delighted to bring the silk centre-piece above for use on your ceremony table (no extra cost). 

Celebrant Guarantee

As a valued member of the Enchanted Ceremonies group of non-denominational Celebrants, Holistic Ministers & Solemnisers, there is always a backup Celebrant on hand in case of an unforeseen emergency - this is your Celebrant guarantee!

Your Special Day

If you believe your ceremony should be an important part of your special day, no matter how big or small your ceremony wishes may be, you have found the right place.

If you would like a ceremony as unique as you are - created to suit your own style, please don't hesitate to get in touch so I can answer any questions you might have - and to find out if I am available on your big day.  I would be honoured to work with you!

Ideas Gallery