About humanist weddings

What is humanism?

Humanism is a non-religious belief system that champions science, human rights, self-determination, reason, and compassion. Humanists believe that we only have one life and it is our right as individuals to give it meaning. I hadn’t heard of it before my own celebrant explained it – and it was then I realised that it was what I had believed all along!

It’s long been practiced by some of the world’s great artists, thinkers, and philanthropists, from Margaret Atwood to Terry Jones.

What makes a humanist wedding different?

Humanist weddings are non-religious and uniquely tailored to suit you and your partner.

For many people, weddings are associated with the church – which means that if you’re not religious it can feel like having something shoehorned into what’s meant to be a day all about you and your partner. Otherwise, you might have a civil ceremony, where you don’t really get to know your celebrant or registrar, and all the wonderful and weird things that make your relationship work are glossed over with a copy-pasted script.

With a humanist wedding, everything is up to you. You can get married anywhere you like, with as many or as few traditions or symbolic rituals from different cultures as you like. We can keep it more formal, or we can turn it into a party. Whether you know exactly what you want or don’t have a clue where to begin, your celebrant will take great care to get to know you both, and create a script that means that the ceremony is the most memorable, and joyful, part of the day, and something that reflects you and your partner as individuals.

Are humanist weddings legally recognised?

Yes and no – if you’re in Scotland and Northern Ireland then yes, but in Wales and England you’ll still have to book a visit to a register office if you want a legally recognised wedding, complete with a wedding certificate.