FAQs
Do we need to be members of Humanists UK to have a humanist wedding ceremony?
Humanist weddings are non-religious and focus on the values of equality, respect and the uniqueness of us all as individuals. Anyone who shares these values can have a humanist wedding.
Are humanist weddings legal?
At present, wedding ceremonies led by an accredited humanist celebrant are legal in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, though not (yet) in England and Wales. We are hopeful that this will change soon.
In the meantime, most couples simply book the most basic ceremony at the register office (around £57) to complete the legal formalities and choose to celebrate their humanist marriage, with all their friends and family present, as the main event, at the location, date and time that they desire.
We’d like to incorporate different traditions from our heritages. Is that possible?
Of course. A fusion of your different customs and traditions is a wonderful way to make the ceremony totally authentic to you, and deeply meaningful to everyone present.
I’m a fluent French speaker, with an understanding of other European languages, and am experienced at leading bilingual ceremonies, inclusive of everyone involved.
What is your fee, and what does it include?
My 2021 fee for a bespoke wedding is from £850 (from £950 for a bi-lingual ceremony) and comprises:
· A no-commitment introductory meeting, by phone or video call
· An initial meeting, usually at your home and for three or so hours. It’s a chance for us to get to know each, for me to learn about the kind of ceremony you’d like and to hear your stories. I may get you to do some homework to share with me afterwards, to understand your values, passions and interests – shared and independent.
· Suggestions for readings, poetry, music
· Ideas for symbolic gestures
· Inspiration and guidance for writing your own vows
· A draft script for the ceremony, based on our discussions, for you to review and amend, as you choose
· Liaison with all participants (such as readers, musicians) and vendors (wedding planner, photographer/videographer, MCs, venue events team etc)
· A rehearsal at the venue, if required
· Arrival at the venue on the day in good time, to coordinate and prepare all the participants
· A keepsake presentation copy of the ceremony after the event, and a pdf for sharing
For a custom-made naming ceremony, the fee for 2021 is from £300, and comprises:
· A no-commitment introductory meeting, by phone or video call
· An initial meeting, usually at your home at I time when I can meet your child. It’s a chance for us to get to know each other, for me to learn about the kind of ceremony you’d like and to hear your stories. I may get you to do some homework to share with me afterwards, to understand your hopes and aspirations for your child, and your own values and passions, individually and as a family
· Suggestions for readings, poetry, music
· Ideas for symbolic gestures
· A draft script for the ceremony, based on our discussions, for you to review and amend, as you choose
· Liaison with guideparents and anyone else participating, with guidance and support for writing promises and reading them out, if needed
· Arrival at the venue on the day in good time, to coordinate and prepare all the participants
· A keepsake presentation copy of the ceremony after the event, and a pdf for sharing
My fee may vary dependent on the specific requirements of the ceremony.
Mileage may be charged @45p per mile beyond the M25
Contact me to discuss prices for other ceremony types.
I am available for ceremonies across the UK and overseas (and am a fluent French speaker, with an understanding of German, Dutch, Spanish and Italian – and a bit of Japanese!). Please contact me to discuss. Travel and accommodation charged with prior agreement.
We’d like to hold naming ceremony for our child in our back garden. Is that possible?
Humanist naming ceremonies are warm and inclusive occasions and can be as grand or as informal as you choose. Your own back garden can be a brilliant location, if that’s what works for you– or a local park or woodland or a beach. Alternatively, a hotel or upstairs room at a pub, or a village hall can be great as indoor locations.
Can we involve our family members – grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings?
Yes! Naming ceremonies are all the more wonderful for the participation of the ‘circle of love’. The more the merrier!
We have a lot of friends we would like to be guideparents to our baby. How many can we include?
It’s entirely up to you! You can include as many as you’d like to, and we can involved them any way you choose – with readings, promises, or something more original!