Where experience meets empathy, and every story finds its voice
From Hospitality to Heartfelt Ceremonies - My Journey
My journey into celebrancy began long before I ever stood at a ceremony lectern in front of a couple delivery their ceremony. It started in hospitality - in the quiet art of welcoming, listening and creating experiences that people remember for a lifetime. For more than twenty years, I worked at the Ballymascanlon Hotel & Golf Resort, one of the North East’s most beloved and well known wedding venues. As General Manager, I had the privilege of guiding thousands of couples through one of the most meaningful days of their lives - from their very first viewing to the moment they stepped onto the dance floor as newlyweds. I witnessed joy, nerves, tears and laughter. I learned that no two couples are ever the same and that it’s the small moments - a look, a word or a shared laugh that make a wedding unforgettable. Those years shaped my understanding of people, of love and of the quiet details that turn an event into something magical. They taught me that ceremony isn’t just about what happens on the day and that it’s about what it represents - connection, belonging and meaning. After decades in hospitality, I began to feel a growing pull towards something more personal. Something that went beyond coordinating and managing and into the heart of what I loved most which was helping people mark the most important chapters of their lives. That calling led me to train with FuturFaith, an organisation dedicated to creating inclusive, authentic and personal ceremonies for people of all faiths, semi-faith, mixed faiths and or no faith. Their ethos which is one of respect, individuality and meaning resonated deeply with me. Under their guidance I developed the skills to craft ceremonies that are both deeply human and beautifully structured - grounded in story, enriched with symbolism and delivered with care. Today, through Timeless Ceremonies, I have the honour of bringing that blend of experience and empathy to every occasion I officiate - from legal weddings and vow renewals to baby naming ceremonies and celebrations of life. My goal is always the same - to create something that feels true to you, personal and heartfelt, while offering calm professionalism and reassurance throughout the process. No matter the ceremony, it’s about the same core truth - celebrating life, love and connection in a way that feels authentic and inclusive.
Listening first, creating always - the heart behind every ceremony
Meet the Person Behind the Ceremonies
Hi, I’m Karen O’Beirne - Celebrant, Solemniser and the teller of your story. I’m originally from County Meath, but County Louth has been home since 2003 when I first joined the team at Ballymascanlon Hotel. Living and working along the border has given me such an appreciation for the beauty, diversity and traditions of both Ireland and Northern Ireland and it’s a privilege to now perform legal ceremonies across them both. My years in hospitality taught me so much about people - about love, family, loss and all the small details that make a moment unforgettable. I’ve watched how love in Ireland has evolved and how couples are now choosing ceremonies that reflect who they really are and what they truly believe. I’ll never forget the joy in the air when same-sex marriage became legal, or the pride of couples who could finally celebrate their love openly. I’ve met people finding love later in life, families beautifully blending together and others searching for more personal ways to say goodbye to someone they love. All those moments shaped what I do now. They taught me that every person and indeed every story deserves a ceremony that feels real and meaningful. Not something scripted or generic, but a ceremony crafted with genuine care and heart. Becoming a registered solemniser gave me a whole new sense of purpose. I don’t just coordinate events anymore - I help create them from the words spoken to the emotions felt. Today, as a wedding and funeral celebrant, I work with couples and families to design ceremonies that honour both the legal and the emotional sides of life. My ceremonies are warm, personal and entirely bespoke with every word written for the people standing in front of me, every ritual chosen for its meaning and every moment designed to feel effortless, natural and memorable.
People, not plans are at the heart of what I do
From Hospitality to Humanity - A Natural Evolution
People, not plans are at the heart of what I do. My background gave me something invaluable - a deep understanding of human emotion. Hospitality taught me empathy, attention to detail and the importance of calm leadership in emotional moments. Those same skills now guide me through the delicate art of celebrancy - whether that means keeping a wedding day flowing smoothly or supporting a family through a funeral with quiet compassion. Every ceremony, no matter the occasion, is built around listening not just to what’s said, but to what’s felt. I take time to understand each story, each dynamic and each hope. Then I translate that understanding into words, rituals and structure that capture the heart of the moment. I believe the best ceremonies don’t just mark an event - they move people. They remind us of who we are, where we’ve come from and what we hold dear.
Love, life, loss, and laughter - every ceremony tells a story
Celebrating Every Chapter
Weddings. Vow Renewals. Baby Namings. Funerals. Each one tells a story of love in its own way. Life is full of beginnings, transitions and goodbyes. Each deserves to be marked with intention and care. For couples, I craft legal wedding ceremonies that blend warmth and authenticity ensuring your love is recognised not just by law but by everyone who witnesses it. For those celebrating milestones, vow renewals are a chance to pause, reflect and say “I’d choose you all over again.” For families welcoming new life, baby naming ceremonies bring loved ones together in joy and gratitude - a chance to surround a child with promises and love. And for those saying goodbye, a celebration of life ceremony honours memory with tenderness, humour and humanity. Each of these moments carries emotion, meaning and legacy. My role is to help shape those emotions into something beautiful and a ceremony that feels like you.
Because moments matter and meaning lasts
Why I Do What I Do
Being a celebrant is more than a profession - it’s a privilege. I’m invited into people’s most intimate moments - their beginnings, their endings and their stories. And every time, I’m reminded of the power of words and ritual to bring comfort, connection and joy. I approach every ceremony whether joyful or solemn with the same intention which is to make people feel seen, heard and valued. If there’s one thing my journey from hospitality to heartfelt ceremonies has taught me, it’s this - when we celebrate with authenticity, we create something timeless. Timeless Ceremonies was born from that belief and that every story deserves to be told beautifully.
Let’s create something truly unforgettable.
Bring Your Ceremony Vision to Life
Now that you know a little about me, I’d love to learn about you. Reach out today and let’s craft a ceremony that reflects your story, your values and your love. Prefer to chat directly? 📞 087 681 8081 ✉️ [email protected] Or click the button below
