Hi, I'm Nigel

Image of Nigel Ridpath

Nigel Ridpath - an accredited humanist wedding celebrant, based in Oxfordshire.

About You and Your Day

If you're considering a humanist celebrant for your wedding or for the renewal of your vows, it's because you value someone who will take the time to tailor the ceremony for you. You're probably not the sort of people who follow the crowd or are happy to go with something vanilla. Maybe you like traditions, as long as you put your own twist on them. And for you, it should be non-religious. In which case, we're on the same wavelength!

When it comes to the wedding ceremony itself, you are likely to want someone who can switch between light-hearted and solemn, as the moment dictates. Because then you will get the ceremony that lifts your hearts and reflects who you are as a couple.

Creating wedding ceremonies that will leave you and your guests with incredible memories takes a lot of preparation. And a lot of thought. You will need guiding through this process so that you leave no stone unturned. I promise you it will be a wonderful journey - as much part of the fun as the day itself.

The Process

1. Initial Consultation – where we discuss your plans, the process and the price. This is then followed by a written proposal.

2. Booking – filling out the order form and paying the deposit.

3. Discovery – I send you a couple’s questionnaire and then we’ll meet to go through it.

4. Script-writing – I bury myself away creating your perfect ceremony. We’ll go through it together to make it perfect.

5. Final Sign-Off – we’ll double-check the logistics, script and create any contingency plans.

6. Rehearsal (optional) – we can run through the ceremony in advance.

7. The Big Day – where it all comes together.

About Me

As well as delivering humanist wedding ceremonies, I’m an accredited funeral and naming celebrant too.

My partner and I live in a small Cotswold village and we love to travel. A few years back, we took a couple of months off for a round-the-world trip, visiting nine countries in 57 days. Closer to home, I'm a huge lover of Italy, which I try to visit once each year. When I'm not travelling, I'll be spending time with friends or my two grown-up daughters, watching rugby or getting creative in the kitchen.

I undertake humanist wedding services in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties. But I’m happy to travel anywhere (literally!), subject to expenses. If you’d like to check my availability for your wedding, please email or phone me.

Look no further than Nigel for your wedding officiating needs. We travelled to the Cotswolds from California for our ceremony, and Nigel did a fantastic job throughout the entire process. His knowledge and experience really showed during the preparation calls, which put us at ease. Nigel has excellent attention to detail, and cared about making our day special as if it was his own. Thank you so much Nigel!

— Elliott & Zoe S.

If you want someone to conduct your ceremony, Nigel's your man! Brilliant writing, professionally delivered.

— Lucy B.

I could not recommend Nigel more highly as a wedding celebrant. He took the time to get to know both of us well in months leading up the wedding, and wrote a personal ceremony that got the balance right between being entertaining while not making light of the gravity of the day. On the day Nigel was professional, arriving and setting up everything he needed for an outdoor ceremony in good time, and delivering a great ceremony that involved our whole families with the readings and hand-fasting. We are so glad be chose Nigel to be our celebrant.

— Amber B.

Image of Nigel Ridpath

Nigel Ridpath

Where I work

I am based near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds and work across Oxfordshire, South Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, East Worcestershire and North Wiltshire.

Fees from...

£715

How to contact me
Email

nigel@nigelridpath.co.uk

Phone

01608 524250

Website

nigelridpath.co.uk

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.