First of all, congratulations on your forthcoming marriage!

A lot of people ask me what is involved in a Humanist wedding ceremony; the honest answer is “whatever feels right to you both”. The only goal is that your wedding ceremony will, above all, reflect your wishes; and my job is to help you design, create and conduct exactly the wedding you want.

So whatever its final form, your wedding will thus be unique – designed around you both, and what you care about. It could be intimate, extravagantly crazy, or anything in between. It might take fifteen minutes or an hour and fifteen – whatever it needs.

That being said, there are elements that many couples want to incorporate in some form. A declaration of vows to each other is an ancient and powerful commitment – whether the words are written by you, or follow a more traditional form.  Many couples ask their celebrant to tell their story – how they met, have grown together, and what they mean to each other. Music is popular – live or recorded, involving everyone, or just a solo performer, or both. And readings – prose, poetry, or more personal messages – give an opportunity to include contributions from friends and family. Symbolic rituals can also carry huge significance – from exchanging rings, or drinking from a shared cup, to communal rituals like handfasting. I will help you pick and mix from elements like these to create the ceremony that feels perfect to you both.

If you think that a Humanist ceremony might work for you, I’m happy to meet you both for a (no obligation) chat; to explore some ideas, but also to make sure we feel comfortable with one another. It is a privilege, and a responsibility, to be asked to conduct any marriage, and I want you to feel confident in trusting me with this moment in your lives.

If that goes well, we will meet again so I can learn more about you, and talk more about what you want to include. I will then write a draft ceremony for us to work on together – shaping elements, perhaps incorporating friends and family – until you are absolutely happy.

On the day, I will arrive early, and stay as long as needed. I will liaise with any wedding planners, musicians, participants and photographers to ensure the ceremony runs smoothly; and afterwards I will send a presentation copy as a keepsake, and for you to share if you wish.

Please call me if this prompts any more questions; I’d be happy to hear from you.

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“We coudn’t have asked for a better wedding celebrant than Julian. His ability to craft our story and deliver it with such passion and charm – and his great sense of humour – had all of us hanging on his every word. We also really appreciate the attention to detail he brought to organising the ceremony as a whole. We are so grateful for the unforgettable moments he helped create.” – JB

“Julian exudes professionalism; his ceremony was crafted with expert skill and he is a true wordsmith. It was a pleasure to be there and the ceremony was so personal and romantic. As an orator and a storyteller he really is a brilliant celebrant, I’d recommend him without hesitation. (Fab bow tie too!)” – HH

Julian has such presence as a celebrant. He was warm, welcoming and reassuring – and he really knows how to tell a story! He led the couple through their love story with genuine care and affection, and had everyone chuckling and “aaaw-ing” at all the right moments. Truly lovely writing. We left the ceremony buzzing! – KH