I have trained in Interfaith Ministry, to create ceremonies with people from all faith traditions, and from none. I am authorised as a Religious Solemniser because of my ministry training, however this classification does not mean there has to be any explicit religious elements in your ceremony. The reason I trained as a minister was to work with people no longer feel comfortable in a Church setting, but still want some aspect of the faith/ God they grew up with reflected in their ceremonies.

In short the difference is that if you want you can mention God…by whatever name you chose. I aim to create ceremonies with couples that really touch people’s hearts and give all present a sense of God/ Spirit being with them on the day. And to do all that with a light touch, in a way that’s sincere and natural, and leaves plenty of room for the laughter and joy of the day too!

A further difference from a registry office wedding is that I am available any day of week, including weekends, to solemnise your wedding at any venue of your choosing = as long as it is compliant with Section 52 of the Civil Registrations Act 2004, ie that it takes place at an identifiable address which is open to the general public.

Yes! I am a Registered Solemniser with the HSE, and can also perform legal weddings in Northern Ireland.

The process will be much the same - the focus will be on working with you to have a ceremony that allows you to celebrate your love for each other with those who love you. The major pratical difference is that as there is more freedom around the contents of the ceremony as it does not have to include the legal binding parts. The requirements around venue also no longer apply, and so it can be anywhere you would like - in your back garden, a secret beach, a hill top, wherever!

I am living in Inishowen, but happy to consider hosting a ceremony anywhere in the country. (If you are within either Inishowen or Derry City areas then there will be no travel costs. Outside these areas, a mileage fee of 40c/km will apply.

I can legally hold weddings on any day of the year, at any time of day or night!

My fee for bookings for 2023 onwards is €600 which includes any meetings, revisions and support on the day of the wedding. If you are within either Inishowen or Derry City areas, or the Greater Dublin area, then there will be no travel costs. Outside these areas, a mileage fee of 40c/km will apply.

Here's a list of possible next steps, though this can change and flex as needed.

1. We meet for an initial chat to see if there’s a fit. You can book that on https://www.patriciahiggins.ie/weddings

2. Once you decide to go ahead, you can reserve the date by paying €150 deposit

3. You complete a questionnaire, which i send on to help me get to know you and your story better

4. We meet to discuss the ceremony once you return the questionnaire. I then draft the ceremony & give it to you to review

5. We meet and agree changes and I finalise ceremony – final revisions by email/ phone

6. I arrive early on day of ceremony and am available for run-throughs with any of guests involved in ceremony.

7. We hold the ceremony!

All of the steps – aside from the ceremony itself (!) can happen online. However, I will, if I am not already familiar with the venue, make a point of visiting it during our planning, with yourselves, if possible.

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