Your wedding day should be a celebration of your love, values, and journey together. But for many couples in Northern Ireland, traditional religious ceremonies don’t reflect their beliefs or personalities. That’s why more and more people are choosing a legally recognised humanist wedding—a non-religious, deeply personal, and meaningful alternative.
A wedding that reflects you
Humanist weddings offer the freedom to create a bespoke ceremony, reflecting who you are, where you want, and how you want to celebrate your commitment.
Humanist Ceremonies Northern Ireland offers the gold standard in personal non-religious weddings. Our trained and accredited celebrants in Belfast, Derry, Armagh, Colerane, Newry, Lisburn and across Northern Ireland craft unique ceremonies that tell each couple’s love story, making your wedding truly your own.
What is a humanist wedding?
A humanist wedding is a non-religious marriage ceremony that focuses on you as a couple—your values, your journey, and your future together. Unlike religious weddings or civil registry ceremonies, humanist weddings:
✔ Are entirely bespoke, with no set scripts or restrictions
✔ Can take place anywhere—outdoors, at home, in a venue of your choice
✔ Can take place at any time – you’re not limited by the availability of a registrar
✔ Allow custom vows, readings, and music that are meaningful to you
✔ Are conducted by professional, accredited celebrants trained to deliver a warm and engaging ceremony
And best of all? Humanist weddings are legally recognised in Northern Ireland!
Legally recognised marriage in Northern Ireland
Since 2018, humanist weddings have had legal recognition across Northern Ireland. This means that, unlike in England and Wales (where humanist weddings require an additional civil ceremony), a humanist wedding in Northern Ireland is a fully legal marriage on its own.
Since gaining legal recognition, thousands of couples have chosen a humanist wedding—one of the fastest-growing wedding choices in Northern Ireland.
Why choose a humanist wedding celebrant?
Your wedding celebrant plays a huge role in setting the tone of your ceremony. Our Humanist Ceremonies celebrants are trained to create and deliver beautiful, personalised, and inclusive ceremonies, ensuring that every guest feels part of your special day.
At Northern Ireland Humanists, our celebrants are:
✔ Trusted professionals, highly trained to craft unique ceremonies
✔ Inclusive and warm, welcoming couples of all backgrounds
✔ Experts in storytelling, making your ceremony heartfelt and engaging
✔ Quality assured, insured, Access NI-checked, annually accredited, accountable
✔ Experienced – we have been training celebrants for more than 125 years
✔ Part of a national network, supporting colleagues and sharing best practice
The rise of personalised, non-religious weddings
More and more couples are moving away from one-size-fits-all wedding formats in favour of personalised ceremonies that reflect their values. Many are also choosing outdoor and non-traditional wedding venues – a perfect match for a humanist wedding, which can be held anywhere you like. There are some beautiful locations for weddings in Northern Ireland.
Popular venue choices for humanist weddings in Northern Ireland:
🏡 At home – A relaxed and intimate setting
🌿 Outdoor venues – Beaches, forests, mountains, and gardens for a natural backdrop
🏛 Historic sites – Stunning locations that add character to your day
🎪 Festival-style weddings – A fun, informal celebration with family and friends
Whether you dream of a small, intimate ceremony or a big, joyous celebration, a humanist wedding gives you the freedom to say “I do” in a way that is uniquely yours.
Is a humanist wedding right for you?
If you and your partner want a wedding that is authentic, personal, non-religious, and free from outdated traditions, a humanist wedding could be the perfect choice.
Find out more about humanist weddings in Northern Ireland and book a Humanist Ceremonies celebrant today.
Visit our map to find a humanist wedding celebrant in Northern Ireland.
Find out more about humanist weddings in Northern Ireland.
BBC News: Humanist weddings: Non-religious weddings rise in Northern Ireland
Real this life story about a beautiful humanist wedding in Northern Ireland: A humanist ceremony in Northern Ireland to celebrate converting a civil partnership to a marriage.
