All Wrapped Up

The number of Humanist weddings are on the rise in Scotland with around a  64% increase in the number of humanist weddings recorded last year. Humanists define themselves as

…are atheists and agnostics who make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values. We take responsibility for our actions and base our ethics on the goals of human welfare, happiness and fulfillment. We seek to make the best of the one life we have by creating meaning and purpose for ourselves, individually and together.

Their own description may scare some people but in our experience, many younger couples are interested in Humanist weddings as it allows them to have a wedding of their choosing without the ‘old school’ approach of traditional clergy [to weddings] does not suit couples who do not regularly attend church, or those seeking same sex marriages.

Humanist weddings have the same legal status as civil and religious weddings as long as they are conducted by an HSS Celebrant, who has been authorized by the Registrar General of Scotland, and can take place anywhere ‘safe and dignified’.

Couples are effectively free to marry wherever they choose and HSS wedding ceremonies have taken place on beaches and mountains, in castles, grand hotels even the garden of your own home.

Each Humanist wedding ceremony is unique, dignified and deeply personal. Humanists look on marriage as an equal partnership and a serious commitment that involves mutual love, support and respect and a humanist ceremony is a time when couples can declare all that they feel for each other in a way that feels right for them.

The couple is free to make all the important choices about location, readings, music and the wording of their promises to each other. Same sex couples often choose to celebrate their commitment by having a Humanist Partnership ceremony, though these are not legally recognised at this time.

If you require any information on the legal aspects of getting married in Scotland, please refer to the registrar general’s website at www.gro-scotland.gov.uk

If you are thinking of hiring a Humanist Celebrant to conduct your ceremony the current fees are proposed:

Legal marriage fee    £250.00
Non-legal wedding     £200.00

Partnership ceremony £200.00
Wedding rehearsal     £30.00
Travel expenses        £0.50 per mile

Do note, that from January 2010, the recommended fees will be:

Legal marriage fee    £275.00
Non-legal wedding     £200.00

Partnership ceremony £200.00
Wedding rehearsal     £30.00
Travel expenses        £0.50 per mile

The beautiful thing about a humanist ceremony is your freedom of choice, you are not restricted to the number of guests you invite as you are in a registry office, you can be married in a location of your choice and on any day you wish! If you are considering a summer weekend wedding please book your celebrant well in advance!

For more details on humanist weddings in Scotland: www.humanism-scotland.org.uk or contact us to help arrange that special occasion!