Increase in humanist and civil ceremonies for weddings in Ireland

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Latest statistics by the CSO notes that the level of marriages in Ireland remained relatively stable in 2015 the most notable change was the level of humanist weddings that took place.

Statistician Caroline Hennessy of the CSO said that humanist ceremonies jumped from 822 in 2014 to 1,294 in 2015. "Over 1,000 couples got married for the first time in a humanist ceremony in 2015," Caroline told the Irish Independent.

57 percent of marriages were Roman Catholic ceremonies, a figure which has stayed in line with previous years however non-religious ceremonies are now seeing huge growth. Non-religious ceremonies were first recognised in Ireland in 2013 and have since seen an exponential growth.

Additionally the average age of grooms in 2015 was 35 and the average age of a bride reaching an all-time high of 33.

Caroline Hennessy additionally said that figures on the marriage register have remained the same since the 19th century however there have been some adjustments in 2014 with the addition of same-sex marriages and the rise in popularity of humanist ceremonies.

"Next year, we will record same-sex marriages with heterosexual marriages," she said, adding that 92 same-sex marriages took place in 2015.

Siobhan Walls, a Dublin-based humanist celebrant, has been officiating weddings all over Ireland since their popularity took off in 2014. "I'm booked out from April to September next year," she said. "I have people looking for weddings in 2018 already."

The rise in humanist and civil ceremonies has led to an increase in popularity for newer rituals including unity candles, hand-fasting, a Celtic tradition where the couple’s hands are tied together as well as “ring-warming” which is a Russian tradition where the bride and groom pass around the rings to each group of family and friends and every guest takes a ring a makes a wish for the couple.

Additionally August remained the most popular month for marriages in 2015, while Fridays and Saturdays were the most popular days of the week to get married.