In religious or civil weddings, the celebrant does most of the talking, and a couple of special guests are invited to give readings. In a Humanist ceremony, the celebrant generally welcomes the guests and makes the all-important legal declarations, but you’re more than welcome to involve your family and friends in delivering parts of the … Continue Reading
Category
Universal Humanism
Step by Step Guide to a Humanist Wedding no. 2 – How do we stand?
One of the first things that you’ll notice when you go to a Humanist Wedding is the position of the bride and groom. Unless they’re really shy, they don’t stand with their backs to you, as they would do in a religious or civil ceremony, but stand on either side of the celebrant, looking at … Continue Reading
Step by Step Guide to a Humanist Wedding no. 1 – Making An Entrance
Over the six years I’ve conducted weddings, I’ve come to realise that there’s no such thing as ‘the traditional way’ to do anything. In truth there are lots of traditions, and you should feel free to draw on any or none of them! This is certainly true of the entrance of the wedding party. In … Continue Reading
Gavin & Natasha’s Humanist Wedding at a private house in Edinburgh
It was back in September 2011 that Natasha and Gavin first got in touch, and perhaps it was because their wedding was only a few months away that unlike most couples, Natasha was very clear about what she wanted from the start. She told me that she’d already booked a pianist and a violinist, and she … Continue Reading
Step by Step Guide to a Humanist Wedding no. 4 – The Exchange of Rings
The exchange of wedding rings between a man and a woman is still a comparatively new idea. Once upon a time, there was only one ring; the best man gave it to the groom, who gave it to the bride who wore it to her grave. The groom didn’t wear a ring at all, and … Continue Reading
Step by Step Guide to a Humanist Wedding no. 5 – What Can We Sing?
This is a question I’m often asked, so I was really pleased to see this list drawn up by my friend and colleague, Marilyn Jackson. They’re all simple enough and familiar enough to be sung by large groups of people of varying ability, with the possible exception of All You Need Is Love, by The Beatles, … Continue Reading
Jo & Gregg’s Humanist Wedding at Wedderburn Castle
The opening line of a novel is critical. The same is true of a wedding ceremony, and this one is hard to beat. Jo’s mum gave her two warnings when she left the UK almost 5 years ago for her working holiday: One: ‘If you get a tattoo, I will disown you.’ Two: ‘Just you … Continue Reading
Happiness
Is what we all seek in our different ways. BBC Radio Scotland gave me a call the other day asking for my thoughts, so I joined the former Bishop of Edinburgh, Richard Holloway. to discuss how we can live more balanced lives on the Sunday Morning programme that goes out at an hour you’re still deeply asleep. The … Continue Reading
Lights, Camera, Action!
I’ve often been told I have the perfect face for radio, but every now and then, my ugly mug pops up in a wedding video, and this one, from Nik and Becky’s wedding last summer, is one of the best I’ve seen (and not just because I make a fleeting cameo appearance!) It was shot … Continue Reading
John & Jo’s Humanist Wedding at Leith Town Hall
Sometimes pictures really do say more than words… John & Jo’s wedding simply radiated love, and happiness They had so many friends, the hall was absolutely packed And for once in my life, I had to use a microphone to be heard It was a really home-made, thoughtful wedding. The guests made and brought all … Continue Reading