Welcome to the place where all your curious questions find their answers.
About the ceremony
WHAT IS A HUMANIST WEDDING CEREMONY?
A Humanist wedding ceremony is a personal, legal, non-religious way to celebrate your marriage.
It’s all about you. Your story, your values, and your choices. You’re involved in creating the ceremony so it feels natural, meaningful, and truly yours.
It’s joyful, inclusive, and full of heart, while still recognising the importance of the commitment you’re making. In short, it’s a lovely mix of fun, meaning, and love
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HUMANIST WEDDING AND A REGISTRY OFFICE WEDDING?
Both ceremony types are non-religious, but a Humanist ceremony is written with you both from start to finish and tells your unique story.
As your Humanist wedding celebrant, I’ll work with you to create something personal, meaningful, and completely bespoke.
DO I HAVE TO BE A HUMANIST TO HAVE A HUMANIST WEDDING?
Absolutely not!
Many people who are non-religious don’t identify as Humanist, and that’s completely fine. Your ceremony is simply a meaningful, personal way to celebrate your marriage without religious tradition or structure.
That said, if you do live your life guided by science, reason, and a focus on kindness and ethics, you may find a Humanist approach feels very familiar to you.
A Humanist wedding ceremony gives you the freedom to get married whenever suits you; day or night, any day of the week.
Fancy a candlelit evening ceremony, a relaxed lunchtime celebration, or even saying your vows as the sun rises? You can do it all.
DO WE HAVE TO GET MARRIED AT A PARTICULAR TIME OR DAY?
WE LIVE OVERSEAS BUT WILL BE RETURNING TO NORTHERN IRELAND FOR OUR WEDDING. CAN WE WORK TOGETHER FROM A DISTANCE?
Absolutely!
Many of the couples I work with live abroad, so meeting in person beforehand isn’t always possible, sometimes it’s the day before the wedding, or even the day itself.
That’s totally fine. We’ll get to know each other and plan everything together through video calls, emails, and messages in the months leading up to your big day.
About the legal stuff
ARE HUMANIST WEDDING CEREMONIES LEGALLY RECOGNISED?
Humanist wedding ceremonies became legally recognised in Northern Ireland in 2018, so your ceremony is legally binding on the day.
In fact, in 2024, Humanist weddings made up around 15% of all marriages in Northern Ireland!
While Humanist ceremonies aren’t yet legally binding in England or Wales, marriages legally done in Northern Ireland are recognised worldwide.
WHO CAN SIGN MY MARRIAGE SCHEDULE?
You’ll need two witnesses to sign your Marriage Schedule, and they must be over 16.
It could be someone who genuinely means something to you… your best friend, your granny, your favourite cousin, or someone who’s been part of your story in a really special way.
Or, if you fancy something a bit different, you could even keep your witnesses as a surprise and choose them on the day. It’s a lovely way to include people spontaneously and let the moment guide you.
WHERE CAN I HAVE A LEGAL HUMANIST WEDDING CEREMONY?
You can have a legal Humanist wedding ceremony in almost any place that feels right for you.
That could be your back garden, a beach, your favourite restaurant, a cinema, or one of the many beautiful venues across Northern Ireland.
The only places we can’t legally use are places of worship and council buildings, like town or city halls.
WE ARE A QUEER COUPLE CAN YOU LEGALLY MARRY US?
Yes, I can legally marry you.
This is a safe space, and I’m here to support you as you are. You never need to explain or “out” yourself, or how you identify as a couple, just come as you are, and we’ll create something meaningful together
