I’ve long been a fan of Grayson Perry. Not just of his work as a potter which is as subversive as it is beautiful, but also of his clear-eyed attempts to understand and explain the human condition. He’s a gifted communicator, whose easy directness allows him to connect with people from all cultures and walks of life, and … Continue Reading
Category
Universal Humanism
The Importance of Being Earnest
My old friend Giles just stumbled across his Marriage Certificate while tidying up some old paperwork. We met when we were both working in advertising and I’m pretty sure that when he and Nicki got married back in 2003, he was a Group Account Director at the hip Leith Agency. The one thing I am 100% sure he wasn’t was … Continue Reading
Why can’t I use my own pen?
The Marriage Schedule is a permanent record, so it must be signed using permanent black liquid ink.
Hell on Heels
I’ve written before about the perils of outdoor weddings for wearers of high heels, but here’s an even better idea from Alan and Andrew, whose brilliant wedding I conducted yesterday at Archerfield’s Marine Villa.Don’t just advise your guests to get heel protectors: buy some on their behalf, and give them away on the day!
You want a physicist to speak at your funeral.
Many humanists are scientists, by inclination if not actual training, and I noticed today a new summation of what humanists believe that places emphasis on ‘science and reason’. As someone who failed physics ‘O’ Level and had a chemistry essay published in his school magazine as an example of ‘humorous writing’, you may already have … Continue Reading
Jade and Michael’s Humanist Wedding at The Cowshed in Crail
Jade and Michael did a lovely thing in their ceremony. They asked their parents and grandparents the BIG question: What’s the secret to a long and happy marriage?
Last Minute Rehearsals, or How To Negotiate the Dress!
Even if we’ve already had a formal rehearsal, I always make a point of having a word with the bridal party in the half hour before the wedding. It’s a chance to settle last minute nerves, and most importantly give some advice about how to ‘negotiate the dress’.At the rehearsal, brides are almost invariably wearing … Continue Reading
Carly and Gordon’s Humanist Wedding at Carlowrie Castle
Now I understand why you do things the way you do – our wedding was so personal to us and that’s how it should be. We put in our hard work, and it definitely paid off!
Robert and Stuart are getting married!
I love to receive wedding invitations, and I felt I had to share this one from Robert and Stuart because it’s beautiful, funny and imaginative. Stuart and Robert met just over 40 years ago, and they’re very widely travelled gentlemen. So are their guests, and their designer Marianne Lethbridge reflected their love of travel in … Continue Reading
Beat butter and sugar until soft and creamy…
A witness to the first air raid of WWII, a proud ‘Pelican’ and a president of the Inner Wheel, Audrey had a long and rich life as a nurse, wife, mother and grandmother. ‘An inveterate blether’, as she was affectionately described by her loving husband Norman, Audrey had a gift for friendship, and wrote thousands of Christmas, birthday and other … Continue Reading