What makes a humanist ceremony special?
Put simply, it is designed around your unique love story. Humanist ceremonies can be formal or informal, although they are structured and provide the familiarity of a ritual. For example, like church wedding service, humanist ceremonies nearly always include familiar elements like vows and ring exchanges.
You can also have a humanist ceremony to celebrate your civil partnership or to renew your wedding vows with all of the above elements.
Humanist ceremonies are non-religious and there are no rules around the words you have to use. I have helped many couples write their own, deeply personal vows or meaningful ring exchanges, reflecting their commitments to each other, always with personality and often with a splash of fun.
You can include music and readings. You can add a symbolic act, like a Celtic hand-fasting, a ring warming or a sand-blending. You can design something yourself that shows your guests what your marriage or civil partnership means to you. It is entirely your call.
As your celebrant, I will work with you to handcraft a unique ceremony that’s reflects you as a couple. Something made for you.
Where can you have your humanist ceremony?
Literally anywhere. I have conducted ceremonies in barns, fields, gardens, hotels, castles, woodlands and the list goes on … Wherever you decide to have your ceremony, we’ll work together to make the space work beautifully for you.
How long is a humanist ceremony?
Again, there are no rules and it can be as long as you want it to be. To give you a guide, humanist wedding, civil partnership or vow renewal ceremonies are often between 30 to 45 minutes long, depending on what you want to include. It’s up to you.
Is a humanist ceremony legally recognised?
They are in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey but not yet in England, Wales or the Isle of Man. Humanists UK is actively lobbying the government who has committed to recognising humanist marriages, although progress is slow. If you’d like to find out more, please keep an eye on the Humanists UK website.
Will we need two ceremonies?
Not at all. If you choose a humanist ceremony, it is your wedding or civil partnership. Absolutely no question. It’s the day that you celebrate your love for each other with all your friends and family. Look at the visit to the Register Office as the legal part.
Working with your Registrar
At least 3 months before the date you intend to marry or formalise your civil partnership, you’ll both need to go to your local Register Office to “Give Notice”. At this meeting, please ask the Registrar for the shorter ceremony. Although it is low-cost, it still ticks all the legal boxes.
Some couples will complete the legal part before the day of their humanist ceremony. Some Registrars may be open to working with me so that you can have both on the same day. There are solemnities to be observed, although when I have worked with Registrars previously, my couples have always been delighted with the result.
Pricing
My 2026 fee for a wedding, civil partnership celebration or vow renewal ceremony starts at £775, depending on its complexity and length. There may be additional charges for travel and accommodation (only when required), if your ceremony is located over 25 miles away from my office.
Want to find out more?
I hope I’ve given you a flavour of the humanist ceremonies I write and conduct. If you’d like to find out more, why not drop me a line at fi.humphries@icloud.com or give me a call on 07788 925179?