Oct 18 2025
Your wedding day is full of choices: which venue, which dress, which flowers, which food… and increasingly, which type of ceremony.
We’re so lucky here in Ireland to have such a wonderful variety of options to suit every couple. One that’s grown hugely in recent years is the Humanist wedding ceremony – a celebration that’s deeply personal, meaningful, and full of love.
As a Humanist Celebrant, my joyful role is to help couples create ceremonies that feel authentically them. The couples I work with usually choose a Humanist wedding because they want to tell their story — from first date to wedding day — while capturing their personalities and values along the way.
We celebrants like to say there’s no “should” in our ceremonies. If there’s a tradition that doesn’t resonate with you, we leave it at the door. This day is about what feels right for you both.
Since Humanist weddings gained legal status in Northern Ireland in 2018, couples have been able to craft fully personalised ceremonies that reflect who they are — without the one-size-fits-all approach of traditional formats.
For couples who’ve chosen Larchfield Estate, it’s the perfect match. Larchfield is a venue that celebrates individuality — a place where every couple’s vision comes to life in a timeless, nature-filled setting.
If you’re planning your ceremony at Larchfield Estate, here are a few ways to make it feel unmistakably yours.
There are so many reasons to fall in love with Larchfield Estate, but one of my favourites is its range of stunning ceremony spaces.
I’ve officiated weddings in the walled garden, the greenhouse, the barn, and the stables — and honestly, I couldn’t pick a favourite.
Rustic charm in the Barn
Relaxed intimacy in the Stables
Elegant romance in the Garden
Quirky character in the Greenhouse
Each space has its own personality, yet offers a beautiful blank canvas for couples to bring their style to life.
Your entrance sets the tone for the ceremony — and it doesn’t have to be traditional.
Walk in together. Arrive hand in hand with your parents, your children, or even your dog. Come in solo and strong if that’s your style.
Your processional song can add instant personality. I’ve seen couples walk in to everything from Disney classics and 90s grunge to WWE theme music — and every single one felt perfect, because it reflected the couple completely.
Rituals are a wonderful way to make your ceremony meaningful.
You might choose something timeless like lighting a unity candle, tying the knot with a Celtic handfasting, or blending coloured sand to symbolise two lives becoming one.
Or, you can create something entirely new!
Mix your favourite cocktail together and toast your marriage.
Crack open a Corona with lime in homage to your first date.
Share a sip of champagne from a Celtic quaich — a “loving cup” symbolising unity.
I’ve even seen couples include poems written by friends, or cut their wedding cake mid-ceremony to “start married life sweetly.”
These personal moments always delight guests — especially those new to Humanist weddings — and they make your day truly unforgettable.
After all, it’s your day… so do it your way.
How you leave your ceremony can be just as memorable as how you arrive.
Perhaps you’ll walk out hand in hand to your favourite upbeat tune, or invite your guests to sing and dance you down the aisle.
One of my favourite Larchfield moments was a barn wedding where guests waved ribbon-and-bell wands as the couple exited. The sound was bright, joyful, and infectious — a perfect celebration of love (and yes, those bells definitely reappeared on the dance floor later!).
It’s easy to see why Humanist weddings in Ireland have become so popular. They give couples the freedom to be creative, heartfelt, and completely themselves.
At Larchfield Estate, that creativity meets natural beauty, warmth, and care — with a team dedicated to helping your vision come to life.
It’s a venue that embraces every love story, every style, and every couple. The result? A ceremony that feels effortlessly, unmistakably you.
“Stefanie created the most beautiful, touching, funny, and really just… perfect glimpse into our story for our wedding day this February. She was friendly, professional, engaging, and made our day magical.”
– Lauren & Chris, Larchfield Estate, February 2025
“Stefanie’s love for storytelling shines through. She crafted a ceremony that was emotional, funny, and personal. Our guests are still talking about how engaging it was!”
– Emmy & Phil, Larchfield Estate, August 2024
Stefanie Onipko is a Humanist Celebrant with Humanist Ceremonies NI, specialising in relaxed, story-filled ceremonies for relaxed couples. Her passion for storytelling shines through in every wedding she officiates.
📍 Based in Northern Ireland, available for weddings across Ireland.
🌐 www.stefaniethecelebrant.com
📧 hello@stefaniethecelebrant.com
📸 Instagram: @stefaniethecelebrant
📘 Facebook: Stefanie Onipko Humanist Celebrant
🎥 TikTok: @stefanie.the.celebrant
If you’re dreaming of a wedding venue in Ireland that combines natural beauty, history, and heartfelt hospitality, Larchfield Estate is the perfect setting for your love story.
Explore ceremony options, discover inspiration, and start planning your unforgettable day:
www.larchfieldestate.co.uk
