Everything you wanted to know about a Humanist Wedding but didn't know who to ask.

Humanist Weddings in Scotland

A Humanist Wedding Ceremony gives you the freedom to really put your stamp on one of the most important days in your life. 

The nature of the ceremony is dependent entirely on what you feel comfortable including. It can be short and simple, or it can be more expansive. It can be formal or informal, or a mixture of both; for example the light-hearted telling of the story of how you both came to be standing there on the day, contrasting with the solemnity of the vows.

What will be apparent no matter what, is your love for each other; the affection and friendship that you share and the deep and the binding commitment that you are making to each other, in the company of those you love the most; your family and close friends.

The Caledonian Humanist Association has a number of fantastic Celebrants who will make your day one to remember. 

We can be found at: http://cha.scot/ 

If you are considering asking me to conduct your ceremony, you may find it useful to have an appreciation of how I would work with you from first contact right up until the big day itself.

The first stage is contacting me to confirm availability, having a chat on the telephone then, if you are happy to proceed, confirming your booking.

Once we have done that, I would send you some ideas for the content of the ceremony, in order that you can begin the process of personalising the ceremony to your requirements. Some people have the idea that you need to write your own ceremony; that's not the case, but you do help to create the personal bits.

The Legal Bit

All couples who are intending to marry in Scotland (Humanist, Christian, Registrar etc.) must submit Marriage Notice Forms (M10 Forms) to the Registrar's Office at the local council that covers the venue. 

The forms can be obtained from National Records of Scotland by clicking the link below.

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/getting-married-in-scotland/how-do-i-go-about-it

You can't submit the forms until you're within three months of the ceremony; the deadline for submission is 29 days before the ceremony. 

When you have had the opportunity to decide on the content (some brides to be even include their partner in this stage!), even if it is only rough ideas, we can then meet up and discuss how the ceremony will unfold. This would normally be 2 to 3 months before the date (this timescale can be adapted to suit the circumstances).

Approximately 2 to 3 weeks before the big day, I would send you a draft ceremony and you can advise of any changes. Once we have the final draft, all you then need to do is:

1. Turn up on the day.
2. Enjoy the occasion.
3. Live happily ever after!