FAQ's
What is a Humanist Wedding?
The simplest definition of a humanist wedding is that it’s a non-religious wedding ceremony. A humanist wedding is centred on the love and commitment between two people and nothing else matters; from the colour of your skin to your gender, or from your cultural heritage to your sexual orientation. A humanist wedding lets you marry where you want, who you want and how you want. And you don’t have to be a humanist to have a humanist wedding.
We can’t find the answer to our question, what should we do?
What will you pronounce us as?
What kind of venue or location can we have?
What happens if we cancel our wedding?
What happens if our chosen celebrant falls ill?
If anything should happen to me and I can't deliver your ceremony, I will make every effort to find another highly-trained and experienced colleague to take my place, at no extra cost to you.
Do we have to have a registry office wedding?
Can you help us write the Vows or Promises?
Do friends and family have to join in the ceremony?
Can you help us choose readings and music?
How long will the ceremony be?
What are your ceremony fees?
My fees for 2021/22 start from £525 and I ask for a non-refundable booking fee of £250 on appointment. Unusual requirements which would require more of my time to plan or deliver, can be discussed and I will provide you with a bespoke fee proposal.
Travel is calculated at 45 pence per mile if I am driving, or I’ll pass on travel expenses at cost if I’m using other forms of transport. (Parking fees will also be passed on).
My fees include the following:
-A planning meeting on appointment via video or phone call.
-My time to prepare a bespoke wedding ceremony script, that is unique to you as a couple.
-Support and ideas to write your own vows and other special content you wish to include.
-Suggestions for poems, music, and symbolic gestures if you would like to include these.
-A rehearsal wherever possible at a mutually agreed time and location (for summer weddings this is usually a few months in advance).
-A keep sake certificate for you to sign on the day if you wish.
-A presentation version of your ceremony script.
-Professional indemnity and public liability insurance for my own actions.
-A high quality service as defined by the Humanists UK accreditation scheme and professional code of conduct.
I contribute a yearly fee to Humanists UK to maintain my accreditation and support the Humanists UK Ceremonies network.
What are your personal values?
What do celebrants wear?
I always seek to reflect the couples specified dress code, I will present myself smartly, unless an alternative request is made.
What is a vow renewal?
A vow renewal is a ceremony where a couple re-commits to their relationship by expressing their love for one another. A vow renewal allows a couple to commemorate an important milestone, such as a significant wedding anniversary or important personal milestone.
Are celebrants different to registrars?
Yes, registrars will often have a limited choice of what they can include in your ceremony. You can ask for certain words, poems, and readings to be included, but there will be restraints on time and around what can be said. A Celebrant creates a unique ceremony every time and no two ceremonies are the same.
Will we be legally married after our humanist ceremony?
At present, Humanist wedding ceremonies are not yet legally binding in England but we are hoping that they will be soon. Many couples have a very small registry office wedding, to complete the formal legal requirements, perhaps with just the witnesses present. They then choose to have a separate humanist wedding ceremony, saving their vows and other meaningful symbolic rituals until then. Most couples view their humanist celebration as their ‘real’ wedding, with all their loved one's present.
What happens if we have to postpone our ceremony due to COVID?
I am happy to move to another date within 12 months of the original ceremony, this will in most cases be free of charge if the script and venue remain unchanged and I have availability.