I’ve photographed several humanist weddings now and love them for many reasons. The photo above shows a humanist wedding that I photographed last year. It really was an amazing and touching ceremony! That being the case, I asked the celebrant to explain what makes humanist weddings so special! Her name is Jennie and that’s her in the photo! If after reading this, a humanist ceremony appeals to you, you can find Jennie’s contact details at the bottom of the page. She’s ace! Ok, over to you Jennie!!
What makes humanist weddings so special?
Your wedding will be a day like no other. Perhaps the best day of your life! A humanist wedding ceremony is a catalyst for joy in wedding celebrations. To understand how humanist ceremonies are special, think first about what will make your wedding as a whole feel so awesome…
A wedding is a life-changing, momentous day. It’s a celebration of love. A wedding is carefully planned and thought through and the result is something that is beautifully put together. You get to make the day your own, choosing music, food, and decorations to best represent you. Everyone you love is there and the most important people have special roles to play. Overall, a wedding is a day of heightened emotion with an over-riding sense of joy.
These are all the elements that make your wedding feel so special. And you’ll find the very same qualities at the heart of a humanist ceremony.
Relevant & meaningful
If you’re not religious but you still want a warm, meaningful wedding – a humanist ceremony could be the perfect option for you. Humanist wedding ceremonies are not dictated by religious belief or a legal contract; they are built around the love between you and your partner and the commitment you’re making to each other. Your celebrant will craft the ceremony to reflect what’s important to you. What are the values that shape and define your relationship? Why do you want to get married? What are your hopes and dreams for married life together?
Your ceremony, your way
A humanist ceremony is completely flexible. Whatever the atmosphere you’re looking to create for your big day – be it relaxed, romantic, or quirky and fun, that’s exactly what your ceremony should deliver for you. When you work with a humanist celebrant, there are no arbitrary rules and regulations about what you can and can’t do, or when, or how! And wherever you long to exchange your vows – in a beautiful room, or a characterful out-building, in a marquee, in a field, in a wood, or on a hillside – there are no limitations on location.
Unique
Humanist wedding celebrants take the time to get to know their couples. No two couples are the same, no two love stories are the same, so no two humanist weddings are ever the same either!
All about you and your story
Often, a big focus of a humanist wedding ceremony is telling your story as a couple. Your celebrant will capture the narrative of your love story in a way that you might never gain enough perspective to see clearly for yourselves.
Full of personality
On your wedding day, you shouldn’t have to settle for a beige or boring ceremony. There are so many ways to make your ceremony sparkle with personality. From the choice of readings, including a sing-along to a favourite song, to the way we can incorporate your passions and interests. For example: a handfasting using climbing rope for a couple that are keen climbers. For a couple who love to travel, I might include a bespoke well-wishing at the close of the ceremony based on the allegory of a journey through life that they will share together.
Inclusive
The best wedding ceremonies unite friends and families. They sweep up everyone present to share the moment with you. Humanist weddings are non-religious but designed to be inclusive and meaningful for everyone there, whatever their beliefs. Your guests will feel involved and invested, and you’ll feel the love and support radiating back from them in return.
All the feels
There will be heartfelt, thoughtful moments but most importantly, your ceremony will share the love – with lots of smiles, laughter and joy.
What’s involved?
Humanist ceremonies can be short or long, follow a traditional structure or break with convention. You can include readings or poems read by family and friends, and you can have music if you like too. You then make your promises to each other, choosing the words that fit best, and mark the wedding with a symbolic action. Usually, this is exchanging rings, but additional elements can also be included, such as hand-fasting, or other types of unity ceremonies.
Humanist weddings – The legal bit
Humanist Ceremonies are not yet legal in England and Wales (unlike enlightened Scotland, and more recently Northern Ireland). So, you’ll need to legally register your marriage at a Register Office. Most couples do this in quite a low-key way during the week before or after their ‘real’ humanist wedding ceremony.
Enhance your whole day
Putting a humanist ceremony at the heart of your day, you’ll kick-start your wedding with a burst of pure joy! There is no better start for an epic day that will do you both justice, celebrate your marriage, and share the love with friends and family.
ABOUT Jennie Hermolle: A Humanists UK accredited wedding celebrant, Jennie is passionate about bring real meaning and warmth to non-religious, personal wedding ceremonies. She knows from personal experience how special it feels to have a humanist wedding, having had a humanist ceremony as the cornerstone of her own wedding day in 2005. Jennie conducts humanist weddings across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Monmouthshire and across the Welsh Marches.
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Humanists are people who shape their own lives in the here and now, because they believe it is the only life we have.
Humanists UK is a charity that exists to advance free thinking and promotes humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. They have been the leading provider of meaningful, personalised, non-religious ceremonies for over 120 years.