Couples often ask if they can use the word ‘take’ rather than ‘accept’ when they make the legal declaration at the climax of their wedding ceremony. It’s a good question. The Registrar General of Scotland’s web site says “There is no legally prescribed form of words to be used in relation to ‘marriage vows’ in … Continue Reading
Archives
Things to think about if you don’t want a rehearsal
As I’ve said elsewhere on this blog, rehearsals aren’t mandatory, but they’re a good chance to work out what happens when and who does what. I first met Julie and Dougie at a wedding fair at The Corn Exchange last November, and I remember we got on like a house on fire. They’re getting married … Continue Reading
We Fell In Love…
I was very pleased to be asked by Christina & Jay of Elemental Photography to give them some thoughts about why I do what I do on their inspirational wedding blog We Fell In Love. Check it out, and let me know what you think?
Antisocial Media?
When you got engaged, did you post your happy news on Facebook? Do you share the highs and lows of your private life on twitter? As so many of us share the intimate details of our lives online, there are bound to be times that somebody oversteps the line. More and more often recently, I’ve … Continue Reading
Getting married in Scotland if you live overseas
I just got an email from a couple who are coming all the way from the USA to marry near Edinburgh later this year, and what they say may be of interest if you’re not in the UK. …handling the registrar is easy, but dealing with the British Consulate to get the visa is a … Continue Reading
The Politeness of Kings…
As Louis XVIII said, Punctuality is the Politeness of Kings…
Humanist Weddings – They’re a Guy Thing…
OK I lied. Weddings really aren’t a guy thing.Men don’t grow up in The Cinderella Complex.We don’t lie in bed at the age of nine thinking, “One day, when I get married, I’m going to wear…”Or even, “One day, when I get married, all the table favours are going to match my team’s football strip.” … Continue Reading
How To Save Money on Your Humanist Wedding
hardly a day goes by without someone in public life deploring the soaring cost of weddings. Canon Giles Fraser was moaning about it on Thought for The Day, with Andrew Brown lining up behind him in The Guardian. One of their complaints is that wedding ceremonies focus on the egos of the individuals, rather than … Continue Reading
Multi-lingual Weddings
I’ve just had a call from a lady whose daughter is marrying her French boyfriend, and it occurred to me that I haven’t written anything yet specifically about ceremonies in other languages than English.In the first place, the whole ceremony could be conducted in a different language (including Gaelic or old Scots) as long as … Continue Reading
The Way I Work
A humanist wedding is a wonderful privilege. It’s the only form of legal marriage ceremony where you are free to say in your own words why you’re getting married, what your hopes are for the future and what you want to promise to one another. It’s also a terrifying responsibility. Where do we start, what … Continue Reading