lonan jenkins ceremonies

What do you offer?

I believe weddings should be unique, vibrant and memorable celebrations of love that represent and reflect the individuals at their centre.

With over ten years’ experience in the performance and festival world as a writer, event host, ceremony leader and storyteller, I know how to engage audiences with warmth, humour, professionalism and vulnerability.

Lonan is also an experienced and intuitive DJ who can bring a bag full of bespoke bangers to set your wedding dancefloor alight.

Why do you want to work with the LGBTQ+ community? 

As a Queer person growing up in small town Ireland, I felt immensely disconnected and disillusioned with the Catholic weddings I saw around me. My feeling was that these weddings were outdated at best and at worst damaging to people who didn't see themselves in the typical, heteronormative marriage ceremony. Not knowing there were other options, I was convinced for a long time that marriage wasn't for me. A few years ago I attended my first gay, humanist wedding and began to see that marriage could be for everyone. Since then, I went on a journey of exploration into marriage, and essentially came to the conclusion that it was a celebration of love; doesn't the world need more of this?

Now, as a Queer, polyamorous, non-religious, feminist celebrant, who is also happily married myself I curate and create weddings that are inclusive and representative; that speak to people who maybe have felt alienated or underrepresented in weddings and marriage; to challenge and question potentially damaging traditions and norms; to celebrate love in all of its forms.

Allyship

As a queer person and very active member of the queer community, I try my hardest to use my privilege to help my fellow queers across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. In 2018, I set up a storytelling collective called Queer'd Narrative, which was specifically aimed at elevating queer voices, sharing and celebrating queer myths and folk stories, bringing them to light in all their rainbow coloured glory.

As a celebrant, I use inclusive language in all my ceremonies, and never presume how people want to be referred to (bride/groom/husband/wife etc.). I try to ensure that it is clear from my website and social media, that I am a safe place for LGBTQIA+.

When I work on a wedding, I send out a "practical information" form, which includes asking pronouns, preferred terms for bride/groom/partner/husband/wife/bridesmaids/groomsmen etc.

In all of my ceremonies I use inclusive language, and don't presume gender or sexuality. This is particularly important when receiving enquiries before getting to know the people I am speaking with. I also share other intersectional, queer voices on my Instagram stories, and express my support and solidarity with queer causes and movements (particularly trans rights at the moment).