Are you trying to plan a wedding ceremony that truly reflects you as a couple? One that’s deeply meaningful, personal, and free from religious content? Then a humanist wedding ceremony might be what you’re looking for.
So, what is a humanist wedding?
A humanist wedding is a non-religious wedding ceremony that puts you, your love story, and your values at the heart of the celebration. No generic scripts and impersonal traditions – with a humanist wedding, you and your Humanist Ceremonies celebrant will together craft a unique wedding ceremony that is as individual as your relationship.
Why choose a Humanist Ceremonies celebrant?
You can trust a Humanist Ceremonies celebrant to create and lead a meaningful ceremony for your special day. We’ve been delivering non-religious ceremonies since 1896 so have more than a century of experience, and our celebrants are committed to delivering the very best service possible.
The beauty of a humanist wedding lies in its flexibility and personal touch. You will meet with your celebrant to discuss your ideas for the ceremony and to share your stories, your values, and what’s important to the two of you. The celebrant will then design a ceremony that captures your unique love story, and will share a draft script for you to comment on or amend. This collaborative process means that the ceremony is fully tailored to you and your unique relationship. You might decide to include include:
- Readings or poems that have particular resonance for you
- Music or songs that hold special meaning
- Symbolic gestures that represent your union, and the bringing together two families
- Or, if you prefer a simpler approach, you can have none of these. It’s your call. Your Humanist Ceremonies celebrant will guide you, offering ideas and inspiration to create a personal wedding ceremony that feels authentic to you
Each Humanist Ceremonies ceremony is led by a warm and professional celebrant who has undergone a high level of training with Humanists UK. This ensures that your celebration is not only personal but also expertly delivered, leaving you and your guests with lasting memories of a heartfelt occasion. Each humanist wedding is unique but all of them are uplifting, joyous occasions, entirely centred on the couple.
All Humanist Ceremonies celebrants :
- Have been trained to a gold star standard, and have ongoing CPD
- Are annually accredited by respected national charity, Humanists UK
- Are DBS checked, and are fully insured (public liability and professional indemnity)
- Have a transparent complaints process, in the rare cases it’s needed
- Work as part of local, regional and national networks for support, sharing best practice, and emergency back-up – so if your celebrant becomes unwell on your big day there is usually another Humanist Ceremonies celebrant who could step in
Where can a humanist wedding take place?
One of the many freedoms of a humanist wedding is that it can take place virtually anywhere! Whether you dream of saying “I do” in a rustic barn, a beautiful garden, a grand stately home, or even on a beach, a Humanist Ceremonies celebrant can conduct your ceremony in the location that holds special significance for you. This opens up a world of possibilities for alternative wedding ceremonies.
Legal humanist marriage
In Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey, and Guernsey, humanist marriage is legally recognised when conducted by accredited celebrants. However, in England and Wales, at this current time, a separate civil ceremony is needed to complete the legal paperwork. Your Humanist Ceremonies celebrant can provide guidance on the specific legal requirements for your chosen location.
Find out more about the campaign for humanist marriage here.
Ready to explore the possibility of a humanist wedding?
Finding a wedding celebrant near you is easy. Simply visit our Find a Celebrant map. You can browse celebrant profiles and connect with someone who feels like the perfect fit to help you create your unforgettable unique wedding ceremony.
If you’re looking for a non-religious wedding that is personal and meaningful, exploring a humanist wedding led by a Humanist Ceremonies celebrant is a wonderful place to start your wedding planning journey.
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