I’m a big fan of Get It On, the nightly request show on BBC Radio Scotland, presented by Bryan Burnett and a rolling team of producer co-hosts. They do some great themes, and tonight’s was a belter: A few days ago, they were talking about doing a theme on music for funerals, so I sent him a … Continue Reading
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Get It On: Music for a Humanist Wedding
Mrs. M and I are regular listeners to Bryan Burnett’s BBC Radio Scotland show Get it On, a programme where the audience suggests a theme and picks the playlist. It’s a great show and every so often we drop them a line to suggest a song. To cut a long story short, a few weeks … Continue Reading
Catherine and Alastair’s Humanist Wedding at The Scottish Cafe at The National Galleries of Scotland
Catherine and Alastair’s story proves that distance is no obstacle to romance. They fell in love even before they met in person for the first time, when Catherine flew over from Quebec, and Alastair gave her a whirlwind tour that took in gigs and ceilidhs, family meetings and the very special Isle of … Continue Reading
Claire & Gareth’s Humanist Wedding at The Thomas Morton Hall in Leith
People find all sorts of ways to fall in love, but Gareth and Claire were the first couple I’ve married who got together while running. Along with Gareth’s dad and other friends from Inverness, they were part of the infamous “Tuesday Night Running Club” where Claire got her nickname ‘Coach McGeary’. Their wedding was … Continue Reading
Alt Wedding Piper
When you think ‘wedding piper’ you automatically think of a’ phìob mhòr, the Great Highland Bagpipe, but there are others. Some years ago in another life, I made a documentary called ‘Piping Hot’ about the first ever Glasgow Piping Festival, where I came across pipers from Albania to, well not Zambia but you know what I mean. … 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
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
Steven & Gillian’s Humanist Wedding at Gean House
Gillian and Steven met when they were in their early twenties, and in her homework Gillian told me how she remembered their first date. She chose the venue (a cinema) and the film, Blade 2, a Wesley Snipes Vampire Horror romp because she was trying to be cool and impress Steven, who looked very cool … Continue Reading
Amy & JP’s Humanist Wedding on the beach at Orocco Pier
We just wanted to say a huge thank you for everything! Your ceremony was excellent and you really made the day special and memorable… Our family and friends loved you… You managed to make them laugh and relax even though it was freezing!! Everyone said how ‘us’ the ceremony was… We’d like to thank you for helping us write it and the vows, we dont think it could have been any more beautiful!
Maybe For A While
I was out on Inchcolm Island today conducting a wedding for Lindsay and Smiffy, which was great fun, and I was pleased to find they’d booked my classical guitarist friend Stewart Maclennan to provide the soundtrack for the ceremony.He played a great set, as ever, and when we were chatting afterwards he told me he’s just … Continue Reading