Weddings and civil partnerships
Why have a Humanist wedding or civil partnership ceremony? The most important thing for any ceremony is that you really enjoy it, and it is meaningful to you both.
This can be a formal wedding/civil partnership celebration or something less conventional. Some people find that the traditional church ceremony, with ritual and religious words does not fit their outlook on life or hopes for the future. The laws governing Register Office ceremonies strictly control what can be said or done. These ceremonies are designed around a standard framework. It is not currently possible to be legally married or have a civil partnership ceremony out of doors and there are limitations on time, place and content of ceremonies. More and more couples are deciding to have this type of non-religious or Humanist ceremony, they are being seen less and less as an 'alternative ceremony' and more the norm. Humanist ceremonies can take place anywhere. I have conducted weddings in gardens, ancient stone circles, French Vineyards, Castles, Stateley Homes, by rivers, lakes, in forests, on beaches and museums. It's your special day and you decide. |
Are there any cultural elements or family traditions that you'd like intergrated into your wedding? Great! It's your wedding! Jewish, Pharsi, Ukranian and Japanese (amongst others) have been some of the cultural elements intergrated into ceremonies I've had the privilege to conduct.
Your wedding day can be as big or as intimate as you wish, one of the ost powerful weddings I conducted was in a front room of a not very big house. This place was chosen as the father of the bride was at the end stages of life and bride and groom were determined to have him there for their big day.
I have been privileged to have travelled all over the country and abroad conducting weddings. to France, several times, Italy and Egypt. At the latter I conducted a huge wedding for a Spice Girl!
Amongst the more unusual weddings I have conducted were a dinosaur themed wedding in a museum (You can check out the ceremony as it was filmed for the 'Don't Tell The Bride' programme. Another was a Star Wars themed wedding - yes I married Princess Leiah and Hans Solo... and the best man was Chewbacca!
Your wedding day can be as big or as intimate as you wish, one of the ost powerful weddings I conducted was in a front room of a not very big house. This place was chosen as the father of the bride was at the end stages of life and bride and groom were determined to have him there for their big day.
I have been privileged to have travelled all over the country and abroad conducting weddings. to France, several times, Italy and Egypt. At the latter I conducted a huge wedding for a Spice Girl!
Amongst the more unusual weddings I have conducted were a dinosaur themed wedding in a museum (You can check out the ceremony as it was filmed for the 'Don't Tell The Bride' programme. Another was a Star Wars themed wedding - yes I married Princess Leiah and Hans Solo... and the best man was Chewbacca!
your ceremony designed by you
The great thing about a humanist ceremony is that it can take place anywhere, and be designed to suit the individuals. People worry that it may not be as dignified and serious as a church wedding, this isn't the case, and because the religious element is replaced by words and music that have real meaning for you, the ceremony carries true meaning and significance for you and your families.
You can be as romantic and creative in designing your ceremony as you wish. Family or guests and children can take part or have roles in the ceremony that aren't necessarily the traditional roles.
You can be as romantic and creative in designing your ceremony as you wish. Family or guests and children can take part or have roles in the ceremony that aren't necessarily the traditional roles.
Every ceremony is unique and personal to the couple - they can be as traditional or as unusual as suits the people marrying.
How to plan your wedding?
Once you have made contact with me we'll arrange a mutually convenient time to meet up. We may meet more than once before the wedding/civil partnership celebration, firstly to discuss ideas and answer questions, then to thoroughly plan the ceremony so you both feel relaxed and confident of all going well.
Cost
The amount may vary depending on the time needed and the distances to be traveled. Currently Humanists UK reccomend a minimum of £450.00 but please feel free to contact me for a quotation.
You will also receive a Certificate together with a copy of the ceremony at the end of the occasion.
Cost
The amount may vary depending on the time needed and the distances to be traveled. Currently Humanists UK reccomend a minimum of £450.00 but please feel free to contact me for a quotation.
You will also receive a Certificate together with a copy of the ceremony at the end of the occasion.
'Thank you for a fabulous ceremony. For us, it was exactly what we wanted, and all of our friends and family were blown away. Thank you for helping to make it such a special day.'
Legalities
As the Humanist ceremony sadlydoes not currently form a marriage/civil partnership contract in the legal sense at the momen (Though this is under review) most couples will attend a Register Office, but many couples regard the humanist civil partnership celebration as that which binds them together.
This can take place anytime you want, some attend a day or two before the humanist ceremony, to deal with the legal formalities and obtain a civil marriage certificate. It is not necessary to exchange rings at the Register Office.
This can take place anytime you want, some attend a day or two before the humanist ceremony, to deal with the legal formalities and obtain a civil marriage certificate. It is not necessary to exchange rings at the Register Office.
Bill Dawson, Humanist Celebrant based in Liverpool
e.mail: [email protected] | mobile: 07814 910 286 | Telephone: 0151 228 6552 | Skype: billhumanist
Non-religious ceremonies: weddings/civil partnerships, baby namings, funerals and other ceremonies in Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire, North Wales, North West of England and abroad.
Alternative ceremonies
Copyright: Bill Dawson 2022
e.mail: [email protected] | mobile: 07814 910 286 | Telephone: 0151 228 6552 | Skype: billhumanist
Non-religious ceremonies: weddings/civil partnerships, baby namings, funerals and other ceremonies in Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire, North Wales, North West of England and abroad.
Alternative ceremonies
Copyright: Bill Dawson 2022