Why you may consider having a Humanist ceremony on your wedding day | Nottingham & Lincolnshire natural wedding photographer
f you are looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding that’s totally about you and your partner, then a Humanist wedding may be for you.
A humanist ceremony is a non-religious affair held in the setting of your choice.
So if you have always dreamed of getting married in your parent’s garden, in the middle of the woods or perhaps you want to do something totally unique and say your vows in a cave – you can!
They also allow you the freedom to create a wedding that’s completely your way meaning you can throw out tradition if you want to and up the FUN element. If you want to incorporate dancing, a game, an important ritual, something that’s important to your culture, some singing– you can!
After spending time getting to know you, your celebrant will design and conduct a ceremony that’s totally unique to you and your partner. As part of the ceremony they will share your love story with your guests – how you met, how you fell in love, the proposal, your best times, what you’ve learned in your not-so-good times – what you decide to share is up to you. Your celebrant can also help you to choose poems and readings that best represent you as a couple and that are suited to the vibe of your wedding. They can also help you if you want to write your own readings or vows. A humanist ceremony means every part of the wedding is unique and can be personalized. They allow your personality and love story to shine through in every part.
Including your guests in your ceremony
If you’d like to get your guests or key people within your ceremony more involved in the service than just watching, the options at a humanist wedding are endless. There are lots of rituals that your celebrant can include in your ceremony to symbolize your love for one another.
Your chosen celebrant could perform a hand-fasting or knot-tying ceremony. You could ask your guests to bring along ribbons on the day. These can then be plaited together or woven to form your tie. If you feel nervous about relying on your guests to remember to bring enough ribbon along have your celebrant bring some spare or ask guests to send their chosen ribbon a few weeks in advance.
A ritual that is becoming more and more popular is ring warming. The wedding rings are passed around all of the guests and held briefly in their hands ‘warming them up’ with good wishes for your future together.
Another way you can get your guests involved in your ceremony is by having a sand-blending ritual. Each guest will take turns adding his or her chosen coloured sand to your container. This ritual symbolizes the coming together of families.
It’s not just about getting your guests involved – yes- I’m talking pets! If you want to get your fur baby involved in your ceremony by being your ring bearer it’s possible with a humanist ceremony.
Whether you decide to go with any of these rituals, plant a tree, light a candle, or choose to drink from a Quaich, your celebrant will ensure your ceremony is crafted to celebrate all of the strands of your relationship and tradition you are bringing together.
Timings
In some places in the world you can only be married between 8 am and 6 pm. With a Humanist, celebrant-led wedding, you can get married at whatever time you like, you could plan a ceremony that rolls into your New Year’s Eve Party and see in the New Year as a married couple. Or if you’re a morning person, perhaps you want to have your wedding ceremony as the sun rises over your favorite cliff top view with just the two of you. A Humanist ceremony gives you the opportunity for a fully flexible wedding day on your timings!
You get to choose who conducts your ceremony
Your wedding will be a day when you want to be surrounded by the people you like and love, more than ever am I right? So wouldn’t it be great if the person with you at the front, the one sharing your story and gently guiding you through your vows, was a wedding celebrant you had chosen and who you had the chance to get to know before your day.
Having a Humanist Celebrant means you can do just that. With a celebrant-led wedding, your ceremony will be delivered by someone you have come to know, like, and trust. Not just by the person allocated to your date and who you meet that morning. Your Humanist Celebrant will take time to meet with you both in the lead-up to your wedding, getting to know you both, your story, your likes, dislikes, your values, and then craft a personalized ceremony that is absolutely unique to you both as a couple.
Although not legally recognized in some areas at the moment, humanist ceremonies are becoming more and more popular in modern couples wanting to do away with stuffy traditions that don’t mean much to them. You are able to legally register your wedding for around £50 before or after your ceremony and your chosen celebrant can advise you on the options that are best for you as a couple.
Would you consider a Humanist celebration on your wedding day? I’d love to know in the comments below.
I hope this blog post inspires you and helps support your wedding planning.
Victoria Louise.
*Stock photos used.
Natural documentary style and editorial contemporary wedding photographer based in Gainsborough, which is sandwiched between the historic town of Lincoln and Scunthorpe, not far distance from Retford, or Doncaster. Wedding photography for all within Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire for natural award-winning wedding photography in the east midlands.
