FAQs

What is humanism?

Humanism is a non religious outlook on life which is based on the best humanity has to offer. It celebrates scientific enquiry, the good in all people and the desire to respect and care for others and the world around us.

Is a humanist wedding ceremony legal?

At the moment, humanist ceremonies are not legal in England. Many people choose to marry legally at the registry office a few days before their humanist ceremony, though there is no obligation to do so. Humanists UK are presently lobbying the government to change the law and hope that in the future humanist celebrants will be will be able to legally marry you in England.

As an accredited Humanists UK celebrant I can legally marry all couples in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Where can you hold a humanist ceremony?

Wherever you like! Indoors, outdoors, beach, forest, the world is your oyster. One of the brilliant features of a humanist ceremony is that you can choose a place to marry, renew your vows or celebrate another point in your life which has significance and emotional meaning for you.

What is involved in a humanist ceremony?

Click on the appropriate tab above for the type of ceremony you are interested in. The key feature of all the ceremonies I conduct is that they are unique to you.

Every type of ceremony will include the story of how you have reached this point in your life. You choose (with my help if you want it - I've got a wealth of ideas and resources) music, readings, guest participation or symbolic acts as you feel appropriate. If you feel a simpler ceremony is more appropriate, with few people, that's fine too!

What is your process?

Here’s how it works –

It’s a good idea to have a no obligation chat or brief face to face meeting first, to help you decide if you would like me to be your celebrant.
Once you have confirmed that you would like me to conduct your ceremony, we then have a full meeting to get to know each other. I take detailed notes on your story, and we discuss the type of celebration you have in mind. If you would like assistance with ideas, I’m here to help.
Following this meeting, I write a draft script for you based on what you have said, which we then pass backwards and forwards between us for editing until you are completely happy with a final version.
If at all possible, we arrange a rehearsal at the venue the day before the event, so that you can feel secure that everything will run smoothly.
On your big day, I will conduct the ceremony in a warm and professional way and ensure that all goes according to plan.
Finally, within two weeks of that, I will send you a presentation copy of your ceremony to keep.

Rest assured that I will stay in touch throughout this whole process, we will be planning and preparing together to ensure that everything goes exactly as you want it to.

How much do you charge?

My ceremony fees are below -

Wedding - £600.

Vow renewal/Milestone - £400.

Naming - £300.

This includes travelling from my home up to 30 miles. Travel further afield is charged at the prevailing RAC-recommended rate for car travel. For other forms of transport I’ll pass on travel expenses at cost.

Once you have confirmed that you would like me to be your celebrant I will ask for a non refundable deposit. This will hold the date for you and I will not book any further ceremonies that day.

This will be followed by two further payments - the first on receipt of the script, and the final balance due 10 days before the event.

What if you can't make it on the day?

As an accredited celebrant from Humanists UK I am part of a vast network of celebrants all of whom work in a similar way. In the highly unlikely event that I could not make it to your ceremony, another celebrant would be found to attend. They would be thoroughly briefed by all my notes on the ceremony, personnel and choreography involved. All Humanists UK celebrants are covered by public liability and professional indemnity insurance.

How far are you prepared to travel?

I mostly work within a 30 mile radius of Shaftesbury, Dorset, but love to travel! I have friends and family all over the UK and abroad, so would be happy to discuss ceremonies further afield with you.