Hi, I'm Sophie
I'm so pleased you're thinking about a Humanist wedding ceremony, perhaps one I can be involved in.
I love weddings, especially Humanist weddings. The joy, the journey, the getting-to-know you, the celebration. Every wedding, every couple, every love story is different. I'm thrilled that I am a wedding celebrant, accredited by Humanists UK.
No Humanist wedding ceremony is like any other. Your wedding is yours alone. There are no restrictive rules or guidelines. I craft unique ceremonies, centred on you, to celebrate your special day, whether that be a wedding, partnership ceremony, vow renewal or relationship celebration. You may have in mind a small, discreet affair at home, perhaps a loud party in a hotel venue, something steeped in traditions from different cultures or maybe a casual get-together at midnight on a mountain top surrounded by lycra-clad mates. Or something else.
Whatever your preferences I can help you build your celebration around your ideas or we can create those ideas together. There is no template to follow. Your celebration is your opportunity to declare publicly, to the family and friends who are most important to you, the private pledge between you both. Many couples do this by including vows within the ceremony.
As a humanist I see weddings as the marking of an important life event, a time-honoured custom that allows us to reflect what makes life worth living. It is a privilege for me to be part of your special day.
My approach is light-heartedly sincere. I say this in all seriousness. While many, many couples have a smooth journey to the wedding altar I will make sure those who experience bumps along the way arrive at the magical destination that is their wedding ceremony. The journey for one couple whose wedding I lead took three years because of losses in the family. At the other end, I've stepped in for two couples with two weeks notice.
What gets me up in the morning? I couldn't get through a day without my wonderful dog, fresh air, yoga (I teach), a bit of exercise, music, mates; sometimes a little French, dressmaking, theatre. There are lots of other wonderful things I want to explore in life, too many to mention here.
If I had known that this is what a Humanist wedding ceremony is, I would never have gone down the route of a registrar. We've had the most wonderful day. Sophie has made it truly magical, especially as she managed to weave our children into the ceremony.
— Claire (registrar pulled out 2 weeks before)
Sophie Burkett
Where I work
The East Midlands from the Peak District to the Lincolnshire, Cambridge and Norfolk coast. I am also happy to travel further afield.
Fees from...
Price on application
How to contact me
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.
