What is a Humanist Wedding?

We no longer have to think that the only options available for your wedding are either religious or civil, there is another option for you to get excited about. Humanist weddings are a great alternative for those wanting a non-religious ceremony. They do not have to be devoid of tradition or familiarity, on the contrary, they can be as structured as you wish and can contain many of the familiar rituals and traditional vows. But they can also be more personalised.

Unlike a civil ceremony, which can only take place in a civic registered venue, a humanist wedding can take place anywhere. Abroad or at home, indoors or outdoors you can decide where the ceremony should take place (see a list of venue possibilities). The structure of the ceremony will be discussed between you and I and will be carefully crafted to provide you with a ceremony that speaks directly to you and your family and friends.

One of the best parts about choosing to have a humanist wedding ceremony is the commitment any humanist celebrant will make to get to know you as a couple before the ceremony. Not only does this allow us to talk through any ideas you have for the ceremony and ask advice, but it also means that your ceremony will be led by someone you feel that you know.

If you are at all daunted by the prospect of being part of creating your own ceremony, please don’t be. I can guide you as much or as little as you want with readings, music choices, vows, promises, and structure. I can provide you with a traditional format for us to work from or take your unformed ideas and make them cohesive. That’s part of what makes this job so rewarding.

You can be assured that your ceremony can be as formal or as informal as you would like. Your ceremony will be designed to celebrate your day the way you wish it to be celebrated.

Ritual and tradition have always existed for humankind around moments that are steeped in emotion – births, coming of age, marriage, death – we use them as markers to help make sense of our feelings, highlight their importance and to articulate how we feel. This is why we still need them, even if we find ourselves living in a more secular society. We like to celebrate, we need to. So let’s.

I am delighted to be able to offer you the opportunity for a bespoke ceremony, written with you and your partner at the very heart of it. Please browse my website and see all the options available to you. You can get excited about a non-religious ceremony. It doesn’t have to be dry and impersonal, it can be everything you want it to be …and more.