FAQs
Humanism.
WHAT IS A HUMANIST WEDDING?
A humanist wedding is a meaningful, non-religious ceremony created especially for the engaged couple to celebrate their commitment to one another. Humanist weddings are based entirely on the unique aspects of each couple's relationship and offer a contemporary way of bringing significance to one of life's big milestones.
The content and structure is entirely your choice and couples have the freedom to write their own promises to each other. There is no set script we must follow, and we can include pretty much any music, poetry, symbolic ritual or prose that you like. Each ceremony is different because each couple is too! Whatever your worldview, whoever you are, wherever you're from and whomever you love, you are all very welcome at a humanist wedding.
WHY CHOOSE A HUMANIST CEREMONY?
Wouldn’t it be great to start your married life with a ceremony that really means something? To tell your friends and family what your relationship means to you, and why you are choosing to get married? Whilst we spend so much time focusing on the details of the party and the little things we want to include in our wedding, it is easy to forget that the ceremony itself is the reason you have come together, often with your family and friends in tow too. Your wedding ceremony is the crux of your day and it should be fun and unique to you as a couple, setting the tone for your wedding celebrations!
WHAT DOES A HUMANIST CEREMONY TYPICALLY INVOLVE?
That bit is entirely your choice! Whilst I have a myriad of material to help shape the ceremony and get the ball rolling, there is certainly no template that we must follow or no long list of boxes to tick! My aim is to get to know you and understand exactly what energy and vibe it is that you're looking for so that, together we can tell your unique love story through words, poetry, music and personal expression. Ceremonies typically last around thirty minutes, depending on all of the above.
DO YOU OFFER VOW RENEWAL CEREMONIES?
Sure do! Maybe your marriage has survived some tough times and you have come out the other side a stronger couple. Maybe you had a small wedding and never had the opportunity to celebrate with those who mean the most to you. Maybe it's your 25th wedding anniversary. Or maybe you're just looking for the perfect excuse for a good old-fashioned hooley! Whatever the motivation, a vow renewal is a perfect opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to one another. And if you're still struggling to find the perfect excuse for I Do Take Two... well, if it's good enough for Beyoncé...
…AND END OF LIFE?
At the end of life, people often reflect on the meaning of their lives and think about how to best take advantage of their remaining time. For some, this is making a final display of their commitment to their partner. A wedding or commitment ceremony at this time can give an individual the opportunity to acquire further meaning for themselves and to deepen their connection with loved ones. Such ceremonies hold the potential to enhance a sense of dignity, self-worth and pride in those final days, and can also be a great support to family members at a time when two major life events, marriage and end of life, occur concurrently.
Legals.
ARE HUMANIST WEDDINGS LEGAL IN NORTHERN IRELAND?
I am very pleased to say... YES! HURRAH! As of August 2018, Humanist Weddings in NI are legally binding thanks to the hard work of Humanists UK. And the best bit?! Humanist Celebrants can legally marry you anywhere in NI! So, can I marry you in your spot on that beach? Yep! How about on that mountaintop with the crazy gorgeous backdrop? Sure thing! Yes, there are a few health and safety considerations we have to take into account, but you name the place and I'll be there!
CAN YOU LEGALLY MARRY ME IN ANOTHER COUNTRY?
Humanist wedding celebrants from Northern Ireland, accredited by Humanists UK, can only conduct legal wedding ceremonies within Northern Ireland. For legal ceremonies in the Republic of Ireland, contact Humanist Association of Ireland. Similarly, for Scotland, contact Humanist Society Scotland.
WE'RE GETTING LEGALLY MARRIED ELSEWHERE. DO YOU OFFER SYMBOLIC CEREMONIES?
I do! Nearly every couple I speak with has encountered a tug of war over where to get married. Outside influences may be faced and tough decisions have to be made. You may get married in a civil ceremony or another country, and that's cool! A non-legal, symbolic humanist ceremony may be an opportunity for you to express who you really are as a couple and to create something pretty magical for your family and friends... and I would love to be part of that!
Maybe you've been together for years and are looking for a new way to declare your unending commitment to one another. Maybe you've been legally married before and you want to take a different approach this time. Maybe marriage simply just isn't for you. After all, love is love! Maybe you're not from Ireland, you don the legal bit back home, but your heart belongs in Ireland, and, to you, the gesture of a commitment ceremony is what you feel to be your 'real' wedding day. Maybe you got hitched in Vegas but you still want to celebrate in style with those nearest and dearest. If this sounds like you, perhaps a commitment ceremony is just right for you.
Whilst the partners legal status does not change, commitment ceremonies can instil a sense of togetherness and solidarity by demonstrating the strength of the resolve of those involved.
A commitment ceremony can be shared with family and friends, or can be held privately without guests as witnesses aren't required. It can look just like a wedding with rituals to honour your relationship, or it can be an intimate exchange between you and your partner. Commitment ceremonies can even be a fully-fledged family affair to strengthen the bonds between parents and step-children in newly formed family units. The options of how we create and curate your commitment ceremony are limitless!
HOW DO WE MAKE IT LEGALLY BINDING?
You must send your completed marriage notice forms, relevant documents and declarations to the General Registrar Office for NI (GRO). There are two legal fees that you will need to account for. Firstly, the GRO Processing Fee of £44 per couple. Secondly, the Humanists UK Processing Fee of £40 per couple. Both fees are payable directly to each organisation, with no financial benefit to the Celebrant.
DO YOU OFFER VOW RENEWAL CEREMONIES?
Sure do! Maybe your marriage has survived some tough times and you have come out the other side a stronger couple. Maybe you had a small wedding and never had the opportunity to celebrate with those who mean the most to you. Maybe it's your 25th wedding anniversary. Or maybe you're just looking for the perfect excuse for a good old-fashioned hooley! Whatever the motivation, a vow renewal is a perfect opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to one another. And if you're still struggling to find the perfect excuse for I Do Take Two... well, if it's good enough for Beyoncé...
ARE YOU INSURED?
Yes! I have full Public Liability & Professional Indemnity insurance through Humanists UK.
Booking.
HOW SOON SHOULD I GET IN TOUCH?
Ready when you are! Wedding ceremonies tend to be booked up to two years in advance so whether you know your exact date, or have a rough timeline, get in touch and we can talk availability.
WHAT DO YOU CHARGE?
Every wedding is unique and the fee for each bespoke ceremony will depend on a variety of factors. The fee you pay is for the hours and work that go into each meeting, planning and discussing your ceremony, drafting and editing your bespoke script, attendance at rehearsals, delivering the ceremony itself and for a presentation copy of the ceremony script. It also includes insurance and registration fees.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL FEES?
All fees are communicated and agreed before booking is finalised so there are no surprises!