Hi, I'm Doug
I live in Newark on Trent between Nottingham and Lincoln in the East Midlands and I absolutely love being a celebrant. I love it so much that I lead ceremonies in all the major life events – birth, marriage and death, as well as training and mentoring new celebrants on behalf of Humanists UK. I’m also a volunteer humanist chaplain at our wonderful local hospice.
Why choose me for your wedding ceremony?
Every celebrant has their own style, and I’d recommend shopping around before you decide. I’ve been a wedding celebrant since 2016, and I’ve worked with couples from many cultures and backgrounds at all sorts of venues, from humble back gardens to castles in Italy. I’ve received masses of feedback, all positive, which I analyse, record and publish on my website. As a result, I reckon my strengths are:
• Professionalism – I’m often described as “professional”, and I inspire confidence.
• Vocal quality – I have acting training, and a strong and sonorous voice which people love listening to.
• Creativity – I am a skilled writer and ceremony designer with the capacity to delight you with an eloquent, inventive and completely original wedding script.
• Lightness of touch – I believe that getting married is a deeply serious act, and that humour and fun, not solemnity, help to accentuate this.
• Cultural sensitivity – I’ve lived and worked in Europe and Asia and my travels have made me open-minded and able to communicate well with people from different social backgrounds and cultures.
The Italian connection
I lived in Southern Italy for fifteen years and have a lot of experience leading destination weddings all over the country, including Tuscany, Puglia and Sardinia. In the last few years, I’ve also worked with quite a few Italian and English/Italian couples on bi-lingual weddings in the UK.
I love meeting couples for an exploratory chat either face-to-face or on Zoom so do get in touch, even if you haven’t yet fixed a date. Have a look at my website too where you’ll find lots of practical information, FAQs, videos of me in action and client reviews.
Here is a small selection from the reviews you can find on my website:
We would give a million of points to Doug if we could! The celebration went way beyond our expectations, it was tailored to perfection and so personal and simply beautiful. Everyone commented on how lovely it was, and the double language was much appreciated 🖤not a single dry eye!
— E&W's London wedding
(a humanist ceremony following a Catholic one). The humanist part of the day was not only a highlight, it also looked beautiful on camera and meant we have lots of lovely pics of relaxed guests having a laugh (and a cry). Thanks again for taking it on, it really meant a lot to us.
— S&N's Italian wedding
Doug was amazing- from our very first call, in fact from his very first words to us, he seemed to immediately understand who we were and what we were looking for. He is kind, supportive, empathetic, organised, and a very eloquent speaker.
— H&D's Italian wedding
Doug Duckworth
Where I work
Anywhere in the UK or Italy
Fees from...
Price on application
Fluent in
Italian
How to contact me
douglas.duckworth@humanistceremonies.org.uk
Phone
Website
HUMANIST CEREMONIES™ is the network of more than 550 celebrants, trained by national charity Humanists UK to a gold standard to provide memorable and meaningful humanist ceremonies to non-religious people. Operating throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, we deliver authentic, tailor-made and heartfelt ceremonies for life’s key moments. They are always inclusive and welcoming, regardless of the beliefs of those attending.
You can trust Humanist Ceremonies celebrants: We are DBS-checked, fully insured, and regularly peer reviewed for quality assurance. We are committed to a code of conduct, and have a transparent and robust complaints process in the rare case of a problem. We all pay a monthly fee to Humanists UK to further support the work of the charity, and are part of a regional network for like-minded celebrants for support and learning.
Humanist weddings
A humanist wedding ceremony is a wonderful option to celebrate your wedding in the way you choose: without religion but with meaning, and totally true to the two of you. They are uplifting and heartwarming occasions, personal to each couple to reflect your personalities and interests, and your love story. Sincere and significant, your ceremony will be crafted to create an occasion which is unique and fitting to you both.
