Meet Áine McKenna.

I’m Áine, and I’ve probably been preparing for this role since I was about three years old.

My first “wedding” experience? I was the bride in a back garden ceremony officiated by my older sister Aoife, complete with a dramatic hat, some borrowed lines from The Princess Bride, and wishy washy vows I was forced to repeat. You could say that moment planted a seed.

Fast forward a few years and, when I wasn’t reading, I was writing. At nine, I penned a story about my aunt’s imaginary wedding, complete with a detailed ceremony layout. Apparently, I’ve always loved storytelling, especially the kind that celebrates love.

In my twenties, I worked as a holistic massage therapist, a path that took me from Greece to the Caribbean, and later to Canada and the Cayman Islands. Along the way, I became fascinated by the different ways people celebrate love, life and the moments that matter.

“I wanted something real. Personal. Heartfelt. A little bit fun and a lot meaningful.”

Eventually, Ireland called me home. I fell in love in Dublin, and in 2012 I went back to college to study Creative Writing and Cultural Studies. I won a small award during my studies and even had a radio play aired, all of which probably explains why I still get ridiculously excited about a well written love story.

When I got engaged myself, I discovered something was missing from the Irish wedding world. I didn't want a cookie cutter script or someone simply going through the motions. I wanted something real. Personal. Heartfelt. A little bit fun and a lot meaningful.

That search led me to celebrancy.

And I knew I’d found my path.

In 2017, I trained and qualified in Family Celebrancy. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of creating and leading ceremonies for couples and families across all sorts of celebrations, from weddings and elopements to vow renewals, baby naming ceremonies and other meaningful milestones.

What I’ve become particularly good at is listening.

Really listening.

To how you met. To the things that make you laugh. To the stories your friends tell about you. To the little details you might not think belong in a ceremony, but actually make it yours.

Then I take all of that and turn it into a ceremony with the right feel, the right flow, the funny bits, the emotional beats, and plenty of heart.

These days, when I’m not writing love stories or chatting with future newlyweds, I’m chasing after my twin toddlers, Cian and Finn, and their little brother Oisín. They've taught me more about love than any book ever could, and reminded me daily why we should celebrate it every chance we get.

Whether you're planning a non-religious wedding, a spiritual ceremony, an elopement, a vow renewal, or something entirely your own, I'd love to help bring your vision to life.