So impressed by Phil – photographer’s – view of one of my ceremonies

Each of my non-religious humanist wedding ceremonies is unique and personal to the people concerned.

Here is what Phil the photographer has posted about Reena and Dannys’ ceremony:

“Reena & Danny’s marriage ceremony has left a deep and lasting impression on me. I’ve heard tell of Humanist wedding ceremonies, in passing, from colleagues in the field of wedding photography. In each case it’s been via Twitter come to think of it, which explains why my knowledge of the specifics was scant but my awareness of their ability to profoundly move was already in mind. It’s not something that can be explained in 140 characters. It’s not something I’m sure I can explain here, with no limit to word count.

I can say that it was a ceremony far more about the couple at its centre than any other ceremony I’ve witnessed. I’ve witnessed a great many ceremonies where there was already a profound sense of it being about the couple though in those cases I suspect it was the sheer personalities of those individuals breaking through a ritualistic structure prone to seeming to be more about itself than about the people at its centre. In essence this ceremony wasn’t about itself, about Humanism I suppose, but it was about humanity and two people and their commitment to each other shared by those around them. I can’t explain it really. Not fully.

It was an intensely personal experience. I also loved how it embraced aspects of Hindu, Jewish and other cultures with an exchange of garlands, an exchange of rings, of personal vows, of sweets, the smashing of glass underfoot to cries of mazel tov, the lighting of shared candles and the circling around those candles to a Hindu recital. None of these were set aspects of a Humanist wedding ceremony; they were aspects of Reena & Danny. I can highly recommend taking this approach to sealing a marriage! Reena & Danny’s celebrant was Hilary Leighter and she conducted an enriching experience for all concerned.”

Thank you very much Phil, and thank you again Reena and Danny.