Things to think about before you meet a celebrant.
Category
Universal Humanism
Step by Step Guide to a Humanist Wedding no.10 – Rehearsals – Who Needs ‘Em?
Wedding rehearsals can be a scheduling nightmare
An Early Humanist: Robert Burns
As Burns wrote to his friend Robert Muir, “These, my worthy friend, are my ideas. . . It becomes a man of sense to think for himself; particularly in a case where all men are equally interested, and where, indeed, all men are equally in the dark.” Today is the 251st anniversary of his birth; … Continue Reading
Can I Marry You?
This isn’t as dumb a question as it may at first appear. This week, I’ve been tracking the enquiries I’ve had from couples who wanted me to marry them at some point over the next 12 months, and I’ve had to apologise to two thirds because I am already fully committed on the date in … Continue Reading
Fiona & Michiel’s Humanist Wedding at the Merchants’ Hall in Edinburgh
Although it’s almost two months ago, I remember this ceremony as though it were yesterday. Fiona & Michiel both lived in Holland when they met, but moved back to Fiona’s homeland a couple of years ago, so it was a Scots-Dutch crowd that packed into the elegant Merchants’ Hall on Hanover Street. One of the … Continue Reading
Angus & Suzanne’s Humanist Wedding at Balbirnie House
Suzanne and Angus met eleven years ago, when they both had holiday jobs up at the Loch Insh Watersports Centre, near Aviemore, and as Angus said in their ceremony, their lives are still filled with adventure, fun and laughter! They sent me these great photos, saying, “We’ve just returned from honeymoon and wanted to say … Continue Reading
Suzy & Michael’s Humanist Wedding at Dundonald Castle
Suzy and Michael were a joy to work with. Even though they now live in the Isle of Skye, they came down all the way to Edinburgh because they wanted me to be their celebrant, so I could hardly refuse to go all the way over to Dundonald Castle in deepest Ayrshire, where they were … Continue Reading
What is Humanism? A Definitive Definition
This old chestnut comes up time and time again, but I haven’t seen a better set of answers than are given here by Stephen Law in the draft introduction to his new book. His seven key definitions are as follows: First, humanists are either atheists or at least agnostic. They are sceptical about the claim … Continue Reading
Freethought of the Day
Every morning, I get an email from the American Freedom From Religion Foundation, which in its own quiet way reminds me that the history of free thought is a long one. Today, it’s thrown together two names you don’t often see in the same sentence, Bjork… And Voltaire! You can find out more about the … Continue Reading
Colin & Julia’s Humanist Wedding at Tyninghame Village Hall
There was a great video on the web earlier this year, which showed an American couple and all their friends dancing down the aisle. Colin came up with an equally striking entrance – he, his brother and best man, George and their friend Ewan, ‘drummed the bride in’ – dig that crazy rhythm, hep cats! … Continue Reading