It’s your special day!

My role is to help to remove the worry and stress from the planning for your wedding day. Together we will create a ceremony that you will remember with pleasure for the rest of your life. Every part of the ceremony is personalised: the structure, the vows, the symbolic rituals, the music and the readings. A humanist ceremony is ideal for any couple looking for a personal ceremony which is creative, real and genuine.

Humanists are committed to social equality. Because each ceremony is designed personally, so that it is unique, there is no difference whether it is a same-sex or opposite-sex ceremony. I would be delighted to play a part in the creation of your special day!

Your ceremony should be special and meaningful for you. You can write your own vows, choose your music and readings – or I can help you – and you can include some symbolic actions such as ring exchanges, handfasting and candle ceremonies. It would be likely to include both humour and moving moments.

A humanist ceremony can take place anywhere. Family, guests or children can have whatever roles you like and not necessarily the traditional ones. Humanist ceremonies have been held in gardens, marquees, castles, on beaches and in the couple’s own home. The venue does not have to be licensed. The ceremony can be formal, informal, traditional, unusual, romantic or very simple – whatever you like! It’s your day!

How does it happen?

To begin with we will arrange an initial meeting. During this time I can find out some basic information about you and your wishes regarding the ceremony, and you can consider whether you want me to conduct the ceremony. I do not charge for this first meeting.

Then if you decide to proceed we will have a longer meeting to work out ideas for readings, poetry, music, symbolic acts, the structure of the ceremony, and the story of your journey as a couple – which is often a central part of the ceremony. I will then write a first draft which you will comment upon, usually by email – as many times as you like until you are entirely happy.

Ideally we will have a rehearsal at the venue, perhaps a day or two before the ceremony. This will allow us to think about practical aspects such as entrance cues and music and may also help to calm a couple’s nerves. I prefer not to read out the script at the rehearsal but to save it for THE WEDDING DAY itself! However the rehearsal can be an opportunity for readers, if they are there, to practise their readings. Similarly vows are often better left for the actual day as they can then be special.

On the day itself I will arrive early to meet any readers, performers etc. Afterwards, I’m happy to stay around if people want to talk about the ceremony or ask any questions.

Fee

All celebrants accredited by Humanists UK charge fees within a fixed range. My fee includes as many face-to-face meetings as required (usually at least two). This will cover meeting you both, writing several draft scripts for the ceremony to make sure it is exactly what you want, phone calls and emails, conducting a rehearsal and of course the ceremony on the actual day. You will also receive a presentation copy of the script to keep. Please email for details.

I contribute a percentage of each ceremony fee received to Humanists UK as a levy towards celebrants’ training, quality standards and to the promotion and development of the Humanist Ceremonies Network.

Once you have confirmed that you would like me to be your celebrant (usually after the first meeting) I will ask for a deposit to confirm the booking and secure the date. If you would like to know more, or want to book me, my contact details are on the right of this page, so please ring or email me. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

Note

At present, to be legally married in England, a couple must obtain a civil marriage certificate at a Register Office. Usually this is done shortly before the humanist ceremony itself – or a day or two before. Many couples view their humanist wedding ceremony to be the one which genuinely represents their life-long commitment to each other, during which they pledge their vows in front of family and friends as witnesses and become truly married.

Although not recognised in English law, you can have a signed and witnessed certificate to commemorate your wedding ceremony. This can be a good photo opportunity!