A humanist wedding is a non-religious wedding ceremony that is free from many of the traditional rules around weddings. It is a ceremony that is welcoming, inclusive, and personally tailored to the couple. Humanist weddings can take place in any location, at any time of day, and couples have the freedom to be as creative as they want. Here are some key features of a humanist wedding:
- Humanist weddings are non-religious and do not follow traditional wedding rules.
- They are led by a celebrant who will get to know the couple and write a special ceremony just for them.
- Humanist weddings can take place anywhere that is significant to the couple.
- The ceremony is entirely personalized to the couple and can include unique vows, readings, poems, music, and any rituals the couple chooses.
- Humanist weddings are open and inclusive, welcoming same-sex and interfaith couples.
- Humanist celebrants undergo gold standard training by Humanists UK, and the service includes public liability insurance.
- Humanist weddings are not legally recognized in England, Wales, or the Isle of Man, but they can be performed in any part of the UK or crown dependencies.
During a humanist wedding ceremony, the couple arrives together or individually, and the ceremony includes introductions and welcomes, words about love and commitment from a non-religious perspective, readings or poems, the couples story, what marriage means to the couple, and the couples promises or vows. Humanist weddings are different from civil or registry office ceremonies in that they are entirely personalized to the couple and can take place anywhere that is significant to them.
