We are joined this week by Romy McAuley for our Wedding Vendor Spotlight. Romy is a celebrant, and runs A Beautiful Ceremony. She performs unique and personalised wedding ceremonies for couples wanting an alternative to a registry office or traditional church ceremony.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
Oh where to start! Well, I was born in Tasmania, Australia. I worked in the hospitality industry for a number of years and then, like so many Aussies, set out to see the world. I travelled around Europe before arriving in Ireland. Not long after, I met my (now) lovely, supportive hubby! That was nearly ten years ago. I never thought I’d be still in Ireland and running a successful business that I love, and meeting new and interesting people every day.
Tell us a little bit about A Beautiful Ceremony
We perform ceremonies for couples that want something more than the registry office experience, but would prefer not to (or in some cases because they cannot) go down the traditional church route. The couples we work with often chose to include spiritual elements in the ceremony, but just as often they opt not to do that. We’ve worked with couples who cannot go to the church because one of them has been previously married, we’ve worked with couples that have no interest in organised religion whatsoever, and we’ve worked with mixed faith couples who don’t want to impose one type of ceremony or other on their partner.
We’ve also had a great response and worked often with same-sex couples. Being a part of the wedding day of any couple, such a significant day in the lives of the people we work for, is something we take very seriously. You can’t treat it in the way you might do with other jobs, in that it’s our work, but our work is someone else’s special occasion and we always treat each wedding as a complete one off, with all the intricate preparation on our part to ensure everything goes seamlessly on the day.
We work 7 days a week, and have travelled the length and breadth of the country (& are more than happy to go overseas!), any time of the day or night, and (of course) can hold a ceremony indoors or outside! One of the great things about our ceremonies is that once the couple have permission from the owner, we can perform their ceremony wherever they like! On a beach, in private gardens, hotel properties, we’ve even renewed vows for one couple in St. Stephen’s Green!
What inspires you?
Well there’s a lot really. For my work my inspiration comes from the lovely people I meet on a daily basis. I’m a bit of a talker (so I’m in the perfect profession!) I love to find out about the couple I am working for. So I chat with them & find out about their lives. This gives me fantastic inspiration for, not only my work in general, but more specifically for the bride & groom and what they would like for their ceremony. It’s always a privilege when a couple chose to involve us in their day.
Emotional influences that inspire me… Happiness, laughter, holding hands, seeing people in LOVE. My motto is It’s all about the love!!
How did you get involved in your profession?
I have done a lot of back-ground research, contacting & talking with other people who do what we do. Being from Australia, I have had many friends & worked with many weddings where couples have married through a civil ceremony. Many people I know here are moving towards non church weddings too. So having attended & knowing quite a bit about the ceremonies both in Australia & here, I wanted to try and give couples here more of an opportunity to have the freedom of choice when it came to where, when, and how to have their ceremony.
If you weren’t involved in your own business, what else would you like to do?
I would still want to be involved with ceremonies in some way. Perhaps going back into the planning side of things I’m a little bit of a perfectionist (my most positive vice!) so in that industry I think couples appreciate someone who is pretty passionate and wants things exactly right for them too. The energy that surrounds each wedding is fantastic. Every couple wants the day to reflect them, and it’s always unique to them. That no two days are the same’ aspect, and the fact it’s such an important occasion for the people we work for makes weddings such an exciting area to work in.
What is the best part about being a Celebrant?
Oh the buzz on the day! It is an amazing feeling to be standing in front of the couple & their family and friends, talking about the two most important people in the world at that moment. It is unreal.
What makes you stand out from other celebrants out there?
I think that, as I have recently been in the exact same spot as many couples (who are in the process of planning their day), I feel I can relate to them on a more personal level. Bringing an element of exclusivity, a new freshness, and a modern approach to ceremonies this is what I aim to achieve.
But, most importantly, I believe it’s my passion and love for what I am doing. I don’t think that anyone could deny that if you can see that someone loves what they do then it shows in the product or service.
What’s your favourite moment from your job?
From the initial contact to the moment I give the couple a kiss goodbye when I’m leaving the venue on the day! Even just sitting here typing this puts a smile on my face that I’m doing something that I love and that makes me really happy.
What’s the most unusual request you’ve ever had?
I haven’t really had an unusual request. I’m waiting for someone to ask me to dress up in a Star Wars costume… hasn’t happened yet though!
What’s your working week like?
There’s a lot of writing and reading. I’m constantly on the computer either writing new material, writing ceremony drafts, reading about weddings and what other people are doing, writing to new couples. And when I get out & about I’m meeting couples, having rehearsals, at ceremonies! It’s a seven-day, and close to 24 hour passion…
What made you want to work in the wedding industry?
To be honest, it was a natural progression I started working in a hotel in Tasmania which a family friend owned, as a favour. Not long after, I accepted the role of looking after special events. It didn’t take long to get to love it.
Have you seen many changes since you started your business?
I have. Obviously over the past few years with civil ceremonies becoming more popular here, the trends really are changing a lot. I believe couples would like more choices & options too so I think we help there. And then there are also the legalities of civil partnerships too it’s all good news!
And finally…
What is the best piece of advice you would give to couples planning their wedding?
Hmm, there are a few snippets of advice I always give to couples when I meet them… Enjoy it! Do what YOU BOTH want to do. Keep it real. And never try to make a decision on something just after you’ve had an argument!!
Where can we find you?
web: www.abeautifulceremony.ie
email: romy@abeautifulceremony.ie
phone: +353 (0)87 6622306
facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/A-Beautiful-Ceremony-Ltd/121704877866316
Great feature. I didn’t really know there were celebrants out there. I thought you just had to have a registrar if you wanted a civil ceremony.
I love the idea of making your ceremony so personal and unique. I would’ve always assumed we’d have a church wedding, but now I’m not so sure…