Non-religious ceremonies for life’s biggest moments
Marry where you want, when you want and how you want!
With the ‘no rules’ approach of a humanist ceremony you really can have the wedding of your dreams – in a setting that means something to both of you. It can be as different or as traditional as you want it to be. Sound exciting?
A humanist wedding is first and foremost a celebration! I want you and your guests to have a fabulous time on the day and enjoy every moment of the ceremony. We can include some of the more traditional elements, from readings and poems to music. We can also add any rituals you might like, including an exchange of rings, handfasting or knot tying. For couples who’d like to introduce an element that is a little bit different – perhaps you both want to process down the aisle together, or maybe you want your much-loved pooch to come along too?
One of the best things about humanist ceremonies is that unlike a civil or registry office ceremony there’s no things we have to include and no set template or wording we have to follow. The ceremony I write is centred around the two of you, with all the little touches that will make your ceremony unique. This makes it incredibly personal, warm, fun and meaningful – it will tell your love story.
The ceremony itself can take place anywhere you feel is important to you both. That could be on your favourite beach, in a wooded glade, on a clifftop or beside a river. From castles to cinemas, boats to pub gardens – it can take place any time and anywhere*.
(*You just need the land owners permission or your wedding may become memorable in ways you didn't plan!)
Anna & Matt
Some couples worry that their family or friends may not be as keen on a humanist ceremony as they are. I’m here to put your mind at rest – humanist ceremonies are for EVERYONE! Across all ages and all backgrounds, for people of all faiths and of none. That's why guests often say that a humanist wedding is the best they have ever been to!
Your ceremony will be a welcoming celebration of love and will still have all the bits that Great Aunty Pat demands to make it a real wedding! There will be fun and laughter (and probably happy tears), bits that make you feel like your heart might burst and above all … joy. So much joy. Who wouldn’t love that?
Part of making your ceremony fabulously you is making it about what is important to you both as a couple. There are many brilliant and fun ways of getting your family and friends involved on the day. We can include a symbolic act, like a community handfasting to special guests’ vows and full audience participation. Children can also be included, from ring bearing to doing their own little reading, ensuring they also feel an important part of the day.
As we’re celebrating family, we can also include the furry members of your clan – I love to write ceremonies that include much-loved pets. It’s about crafting a ceremony that everyone will feel part of!
Please reach me at t@thiscelebratedlove.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.
My fees start at £800 for a wedding ceremony. This includes a number of planning meetings, writing your personalised script, a rehearsal, liaising with your venue and photographer, delivering the ceremony on the day and a gorgeous keepsake script for you to treasure.
In addition to your Humanist ceremony you will need to do the registration (paperwork) part of your marriage at a Register Office, with a registrar, which you can do simply and without ceremony from around £50. We can save all the good stuff – vows, ring exchanges and other ceremonial acts – for your humanist ceremony. At the moment a Bill is going to Parliament to give Humanist weddings legal recognition, which would mean this additional paperwork wouldn't be necessary. Watch this space!
Abso-bloody-lutely. A humanist ceremony is a totally inclusive celebration. It welcomes couples of any gender, age, ethnicity or background. As a humanist, I embrace diversity and accept, support and celebrate every couple who are in love and wish to make a lasting commitment to each other.
Marly & Matthew
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