Humanist Weddings: Who Can Officiate?

Humanist weddings are non-religious ceremonies that are inclusive, welcoming, and tailored to the couple. They are led by a celebrant who gets to know the couple and writes a meaningful ceremony for them. This can be as traditional or non-traditional, formal or informal as the couple wishes. The ceremony can include ritual moments, singing, pets, and traditions. It can take place anywhere and at any time of day.

Humanist weddings are perfect for couples who want a meaningful, non-religious ceremony, the flexibility to create a personal ceremony, and the opportunity to get to know the person conducting their wedding.

Humanist weddings are non-religious ceremonies

Humanist weddings are a great option for couples who want a meaningful and personalised ceremony that is not religious. They offer flexibility in terms of location, structure, and content, allowing couples to create a unique and meaningful experience. The ceremony can be held outdoors or at a location that is not licensed for civil weddings. The couple can also choose to include rituals and traditions that are important to them, such as handfasting or drinking from a quaich.

The humanist wedding celebrant plays a crucial role in creating a personalised ceremony. They spend time getting to know the couple, their story, and what is important to them. This information is then used to craft a bespoke script for the wedding ceremony. The celebrant can also provide guidance and suggestions to the couple, ensuring that the ceremony reflects their personalities and values.

Humanist weddings are also inclusive and welcoming, open to couples of all genders, races, sexual orientations, and circumstances. They can be small and intimate or large and elaborate, depending on the couple's preferences. Additionally, humanist weddings do not require the couple to be legally married, allowing for greater flexibility in the timing and location of the ceremony. However, it is important to note that humanist weddings are not legally recognised in all parts of the UK, and couples may need to register their marriage separately.

Overall, humanist weddings offer a non-religious, personalised, and meaningful alternative to traditional religious or civil ceremonies. They allow couples to celebrate their love and commitment in a way that reflects their unique story, values, and personalities. By working closely with a humanist wedding celebrant, couples can create a ceremony that is truly special and memorable.

They are legally recognised in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey, and Guernsey

Humanist weddings are legally recognised in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey, and Guernsey. This means that couples can have their wedding legally recognised without having to register the marriage separately at a registry office. In England, Wales, and the Isle of Man, however, humanist weddings are not currently legally recognised. Couples who wish to have their humanist wedding legally recognised in these regions must register the marriage separately at a registry office before or after the ceremony.

Humanist weddings gained legal recognition in Scotland in 2005, and their popularity has since skyrocketed, with recent figures showing that they now account for 20% of all weddings in the country. Northern Ireland and Jersey extended legal recognition in 2018, and Guernsey followed suit in 2021.

Humanist weddings are highly tailored and non-religious ceremonies that can add a lot of personality to a couple's special day. They are perfect for couples who want a meaningful ceremony that is not religious, who want to marry outdoors or at a location that is not licensed for civil weddings, or who want the flexibility to create a unique and personal ceremony.

The ceremony is conducted by a trained humanist wedding celebrant who takes the time to get to know the couple and writes and delivers a meaningful ceremony tailored to their wishes. The wedding can be as traditional or non-traditional, formal or informal, and include ritual moments, singing, pets, and traditions or not.

Humanist celebrants are trained and accredited

Humanist celebrants are committed to the principles of humanism as set out by Humanists UK. They are also committed to helping couples create a personal, meaningful celebration that tells their story in a way that no other kind of wedding ceremony can.

The process of creating a humanist wedding ceremony involves the celebrant spending time getting to know the couple, both together and individually. This usually involves a few hours of conversation and sharing before the wedding. The celebrant will ask questions and help the couple shape their story, which will then be turned into a bespoke script for the wedding ceremony.

Humanist celebrants are able to perform weddings anywhere, whether that be a licensed venue or not. They can also travel overseas for weddings. The fee for a humanist celebrant varies depending on geographical location, experience, and local supply and demand, but it is usually between £450-£1500.

Humanist celebrants are an excellent choice for couples looking for a meaningful, non-religious ceremony that is highly tailored to their unique story and values.

Humanist weddings can take place anywhere

Humanist weddings are non-religious ceremonies that are welcoming, inclusive, and tailored to the couple. They are led by a celebrant who gets to know the couple and writes and delivers a meaningful ceremony. The ceremony can be as traditional or non-traditional, formal or informal, as the couple wishes. It can include ritual moments, singing, pets, and traditions.

The wedding ceremony is written specifically for the couple, reflecting their love story, values, and hopes for the future. It can include readings, poems, music, and rituals such as handfasting or lighting a unity candle. The couple can also choose to write their own vows or use traditional vows.

Humanist weddings offer flexibility and the opportunity to create a personal and unique ceremony. They are perfect for couples who want a meaningful, non-religious ceremony and the freedom to choose their wedding location.

Humanist weddings are highly tailored and personalised

The wedding celebrant plays a crucial role in creating a personalised ceremony. They spend time getting to know the couple, both together and individually, to authentically tell their love story during the ceremony. This usually involves having in-depth conversations and sharing experiences before the wedding. The celebrant will ask questions, help choose readings and music, and guide the couple in selecting symbolic acts or rituals such as handfasting or lighting a unity candle.

The structure of a humanist wedding is flexible, but it typically includes introductions and welcomes, words about love and commitment from a non-religious perspective, the couple's story, what marriage means to them, readings, poems, songs, vows or promises, a meaningful symbolic act, and well-wishes. The couple can choose to include personal vows, which are often a highlight of the ceremony, or adapt traditional vows to make them fitting for a non-religious setting.

Humanist weddings offer the freedom to include cultural rituals from other traditions, such as Chinese tea ceremonies or Jewish rituals of glass-smashing. The ceremony can also be made more interactive by involving guests in some way. Music is another important element, with couples choosing live performances, recorded songs, or even sing-alongs to add a unique touch to their celebration.

The duration of a humanist wedding ceremony can vary depending on the couple's preferences, ranging from 20 to 45 minutes or even longer. The fee for a humanist wedding celebrant typically covers the planning meeting, drafting and editing the script, attending a rehearsal, conducting the ceremony, and providing a presentation copy of the script.

Frequently asked questions