What does a Humanist Celebrant do?

This week on our city wedding blog we’re talking celebrants! As the wedding industry changes you no longer have to get married in church, in a hotel or registry office. You can literally get married anywhere especially if you choose a celebrant or humanist celebrant.

In England a celebrant led wedding is still not legal. Which means unfortunately you will still need to have the legal bit done at your local registry office. However if you’re in Scotland then a Humanist wedding is totally legal!

We of course love this idea so we caught up with the lovely Karen Hewitt to ask her what does a humanist wedding celebrant do?

A Personal Ceremony

Hi, i’m Karen Hewitt, I am a wedding humanist celebrant, trained and accredited by Humanists UK. Humanist celebrants deliver non-religious, personal, positive ceremonies to mark and celebrate life’s important moments. A Humanist wedding is bespoke, the ceremony script is written with the couple to reflect their personal beliefs and values.

The celebrant and couple will meet and get to know each before the wedding and couples can write as much or as little of the ceremony as they wish. The celebrant will help and advise along every step of the way. We work closely together to create a ceremony that is meaningful and deeply personal.

Your vows can be what you want them to be

Humanist wedding vows focus on an equal marriage, where two people publicly declare their love and mutual commitment to one another. Vows can be very romantic, as they are from the heart, personal and sincere, or if the couple wish they can even be humorous. A Humanist wedding ceremony can include anything that will make it special and meaningful, but it will usually contain information and anecdotes about the couple and their lives together.

There are usually readings and often rituals such as the ancient Celtic tradition of hand-fasting. Anybody can have a humanist wedding; this can be an advantage for couples from different faith backgrounds. A ceremony can be designed to reflect the values they share. Couples chose a Humanist wedding celebrant for a variety of reasons, and sometimes this is to include cultural influences which reflect their heritage.

Your wedding your way

One of the many great things about a Humanist wedding is that it can be held anywhere, a forest, a beach, your own home, a traditional venue such as a hotel or one of the many incredible urban locations in Manchester that may not be a licenced venue. Some of the locations I will be delivering ceremonies in this year include a barn, a cinema, a private garden, an art gallery and a nightclub. There are no limits, a Humanist wedding is your wedding, your way.

Credits

If you would like to know more about Humanist weddings, please look at the links below there’s lots of information about me and humanist ceremonies. For more information on Karen had to KAREN HEWITT. If you want to know more on Humanist ceremonies hit the link.

Thanks to Karen for being a guest blog this week.

​ADAM TRANTER  PROJECT VALENTINE & LIVI EDWARDS

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