Blog

Congratulations on your wedding plans!!

You now have lots to think about but don't worry, you are not alone. Our team of wise and wonderful celebrants are here to help!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. How do we arrange a Humanist wedding ceremony?

So, you are looking for the right people to help you with the various aspects of your wedding.

Our first piece of advice is very simple: take your time, (if time is on your side) and choose people who you connect with and trust. This applies to every wedding supplier you are looking for. The team you put in place needs to be on the same page as you. 

Planning a wedding is a totally new experience for most people, so couples usually need a bit of help and advice. We understand this, so to put you at ease, we arrange a relaxed and informal meeting with you, via video call or face-to-face. 

We introduce ourselves and get to know a few things about you. We explain the legal process and describe some of the wonderful things you can include in your ceremony. You can ask as many questions as you like and after the meeting, you can go away and decide if you want to choose us to be on your wedding team. 

After speaking with us, you will be excited about the variety of options available for your ceremony, so if you decide to include us in your plans, you would guarantee your Celebrant for your wedding day by paying a deposit.

Details about our ceremony fees can be found here.

We NEVER commit to more than one ceremony per day. This is one of our golden rules and it means your day is our day, guaranteed. You can get married any time of the day or night to suit your plans.

Talk to us today and we will help you with the process of arranging a personal, relaxed, fun and emotional wedding ceremony.

Q. How do we make our Humanist ceremony fun and personal?

Every ceremony is unique. This is because the ceremonies we create celebrate the lives and loves of the people involved.

Your wedding ceremony will celebrate what you are all about, in a style that makes you feel happy and relaxed.

Your Celebrant will help create your script with you. Couples don't go away and write 3,000 words on their own. Creating a ceremony script is not like writing a dissertation! We work together as a team and we share feedback and ideas every step of the way. Your celebrant will guide and inspire you and use as much information from you as possible to create a personal and meaningful ceremony script that you and your guests will enjoy.

We have a saying that captures what this creative process is all about. Your ceremony will be "YOUR LOVE IN YOUR WORDS" and our celebrants are here to make sure that happens.

Q. Do we have to speak in front of everyone?

No. If there is a part of the ceremony that makes you feel uncomfortable, we will find ways to make it work for you. People are amazing. We are brilliant and unique. This means we function in different ways, so our Celebrants will always listen to your cares and concerns and adapt the situation to suit your needs. 

A Humanist wedding ceremony is designed to be easy for you, so if you feel nervous about having to speak in front of your guests, don't worry. 

Vows are very easy to do. Your Celebrant will read your vows and you will answer them by saying "I DO".

To make it even easier, Couples often answer their vows together by saying "WE DO".

You would normally say a few words when you exchange rings but again, this part is very easy. You can repeat your chosen words after your Celebrant, so you don't have to memorise anything.

Here is an example of a very simple ring declaration:

I give you this ring

As a symbol of my love.

I am yours and you are mine.

The legal part, (when you say your names), comes near the end of the ceremony and again, this is made to be as easy as possible. You repeat a short legal declaration after your Celebrant and when that is done, you are declared legally married and your day of celebrations can begin with a big kiss and lots of cheers, whooping and applause!

photography by Nikki Leadbetter

Q. Will our wedding be legal?

Yes. Our Celebrants are legally authorised Marriage Officers, so we act as your legal witness, anywhere in Scotland.

For your marriage to be legal, two witnesses (over the age of 16) need to be present, along with your legally authorised witness. During or immediately after the ceremony, you and your witnesses sign a legal document known as a marriage schedule. 

To get this important document, you have to notify the registrars of your marriage. You both send marriage notice forms (known as M10) to the registrars nearest your venue. The earliest you can apply is three months prior to your wedding and the latest is 29 days. (Don't leave it this late if you don't have to.) Your Celebrant will guide you through the application process and registrars are always very helpful. They will process your application as efficiently as possible.

note: there is a separate fee payable to the registrars for this application process. At the time of update (Feb 2025) the application fee is £100 per couple. (£45 per person + £10 for the marriage licence. A nominal fee for postage may also be applied.)

Please ask if you want to know more or go to:

NRS - marriage in Scotland

photo by alicia-marie-photo.com

Your legal wedding ceremony can be meaningful, inclusive and fun! Symbolic gestures are the perfect way to involve the people you love. Ask your Celebrant about the various gestures you can include...

nikkileadbetter.com

TRAVELLING TO SCOTLAND TO GET MARRIED?

Check here for VISA info:

MARRIAGE VISAS

A romantic elopement to Glencoe, The Highlands, Scotland

image by seanbellphotography.com

HUMANISM in SCOTLAND 2025

DIGNITY   EQUALITY   RESPECT