Karen Dempsey

As an organization, we have made a statement that we will not hold weddings in Doonbeg, Trump's hotel, because Trump's worldview flies in the face of the values of our organization.

I have said no to ceremonies in Doonbeg.

And part of why this organization made the statement was because I realized then, oh...

if I'm going to say no because of my own value system, I don't feel right passing that ceremony on to somebody else because they then have to make a decision.

So that's what made the bigger statement.

And actually, I was really proud to make that big statement as well, because to me, it's really important.

Donald Trump is not just a hotel owner.

You know, he's a global influential figure.

So for our little organisation in Ireland to be authentic to our values, that's part of what we'll do.

So yes, those kind of things I would have said no.

Yeah.

So the one that actually comes to mind on that as well is I would say no to surprise ceremonies or surprise vow renewals in particular.

because I really think how can you have a vow renewal by surprise?

Like how can one person decide I'm sure my spouse wants to renew their vows and even if the spouse does really want to renew their vows I think it's doing them a disservice if you don't allow them time and space to reflect on what it is they would like to vow at this point in their life because it's probably not going to be exactly the same as what they would have vowed at the very beginning of their marriage.

so that kind of thing I think that makes sense because it almost sounds unfair doesn't it when you think about it one party yeah to not allow them some time to absorb what they're going to do because it is serious and it is important and you should be allowed to reflect on it yes and you should be even you should even be able to decide what you're wearing on the day and very often it's couples traveling to Ireland and one thinks wouldn't it be great if we're in Stephen's Green and this celebrant pops up and there's a surprise wearing you no no it's not

And think about what we're doing and really make it meaningful for both parties.

Then it's powerful.

Otherwise, it's just, oh my God, what happened there?

I absolutely love it.

And I think a lot of what I love about it is I love people.