Your help and advice was invaluable. You really instilled in us the importance of the words and that the sentiments of ceremony should reflect us and no one else.
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Artistic Homework
As part of the homework I give couples as part of the process of creating their ceremony, I ask them to write down 10 things about one another that made them not just fall in love, but want to marry, and spend the rest of their lives together.Over the years, I’ve had lots of wonderful answers, but … Continue Reading
Liza and Paul’s Humanist Wedding at New Lanark Mills
Do you remember the film, ‘Cabaret?’ That was when Liza Minelli first etched herself onto my consciousness, in her bowler hat and fishnet tights. And I’ve never forgotten her clever mnemonic of the correct way to pronounce her name. ‘It’s Liza with a ‘zee’, not Lisa with an ‘s’ Cos Liza with a ‘zee’ goes ‘zzz’, not … Continue Reading
Kirsty and Stu’s Humanist Wedding at Kirknewton Stables
A good number of our friends said it was the best wedding ceremony they’d ever been to – I think we might be seeing a few copycat humanist ceremonies amongst them in the next year or two!
Keren & Woody’s Humanist Wedding at Pollockshields Burgh Hall
There was a lot to love about this wedding, not least the way it started, when Woody came in with his mum and dad on each arm. In a traditional ceremony, the groom’s parents are just two more guests; this is a subtle way of saying, “I’ve got a family too, and they’re … Continue Reading
Heather & Stephen’s Humanist wedding at Cambo House, St Andrews
There’s something inherently dramatic about the idea of marrying in a winter wonderland, but this is the first year for a long time that the weather in Scotland has made that possible over the Festive Season. Sadly for more than one couple, that led to last-minute postponements, but by the time Stephen and Heather’s big … Continue Reading
Sara & Stuart’s Humanist Wedding at Carberry Towers
It’s always lovely to get an email from couples when they get back from their honeymoon, but I was very touched to get a card and some old-skool photographs from Sara & Stuart who chose the romantic setting of Carberry Towers for their wedding. I was particularly pleased to read what they said about their … Continue Reading
Emma & Richard’s Humanist Wedding at Mansfield Traquair
Mansfield Traquair is a stunning setting for a wedding, and I’ve never seen a shot that captures its magical atmosphere better than this one, from Richard and Emma. Here’s what Emma wrote when she sent me these great shots. I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you so so much for … Continue Reading
Iona & Nigel’s Humanist Wedding at Harburn House
Iona and Nigel hardly used any of the material they’d shared in their homework at all. Instead, they wrote something entirely new, that was just as honest, open, funny and moving, but in a very different way.
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