Humanist Ceremonies: Weddings & Civil Partnerships

Congratulations, we’re delighted that you’re thinking about a humanist ceremony to celebrate your love and life together.

We believe that marriage and civil partnerships are based on mutual love and respect.  We also know that every couple is different and that is why our ceremonies are unique and personal.  Humanist ceremonies can take place indoors or outdoors, they can be simple or elaborate, traditional or contemporary.  They usually include readings, music and an exchange of rings but can also include symbolic gestures, like hand fasting.

Whatever you want to do the choice is yours.  It’s your love, your life together and your ceremony.

Whatever you decide on, your Humanist Society Celebrant will work with you to create your perfect ceremony.  One of the many benefits of a humanist ceremony is that you are involved in the writing of it.  That means that on your special day the ceremony is a true reflection of your commitment to each other.  Your celebrant will share your story and words with those celebrating with you; it really is as unique as the love you share.

Humanist Society Scotland was granted Prescribed Status by the Scottish Government in February 2017, which means our celebrants are permanently authorised to conduct legal marriages.

We are the largest and longest standing provider of humanist ceremonies in Scotland so you can be confident you’re in safe hands.  All our celebrants are trained, regularly reviewed and work to our standards for ceremonies.  We are also the only provider to offer the Humanist Society Promise.

Humanist Ceremonies Weddings Civil Partnership

Our fees

You can expect to pay around £450 for your wedding ceremony, which includes the fee to your celebrant and two-year membership of Humanist Society Scotland.  Any expenses such as travel costs and rehearsal fees should be agreed directly with your celebrant.

You can secure your date with a fee of £85. This gives you the peace of mind that you have secured one of our fabulous celebrants for your wedding, and two years membership of our charity.  Win win really!  Once you have confirmed a celebrant they may take a deposit for their services.

If we are allocating you a celebrant the fee is £450 for your ceremony which includes the fee to your celebrant, two-year membership of Humanist Society Scotland, and any expenses for delivery of the ceremony and initial meeting.

Find out more and Secure Your Date!

The Humanist Society Promise

Your humanist ceremony will be to mark one of life’s most important events.  That is why we take your booking seriously.  As the longest standing provider of humanist ceremonies in Scotland we support and co-ordinate our nation’s largest and best known group of Humanist Celebrants.  Every year our celebrants conduct thousands of ceremonies and we’re committed to ensuring that every one is unique and of a consistently high quality.  To demonstrate our commitment to you and your ceremony we are the only provider to offer the Humanist Society Promise; all Humanist Society Celebrants are covered by our Promise as are all their ceremonies.

1. Be Assured, We’re Insured
We are delighted to have a reputation for providing high quality ceremonies and service.  Although it is only occasionally (only about 0.5% and we conduct around 7000 ceremonies each year!) that problems arise with our ceremonies you can be assured if you book a Humanist Society Celebrant they are covered by our Public Liability Insurance.

2. We’ve Got it Covered
It is very rare that the celebrant you have booked is unable to conduct your ceremony; and this would only be in extreme circumstances such as serious illness.  However, as the largest provider of humanist ceremonies in Scotland we have the network to find you a replacement, even at very short notice.  We have office staff available to ensure we can respond quickly to any emergency with minimal stress to you.  Although unlikely to happen, always ask your chosen organisation how they provide cover in emergencies.

3. Developing Skills to Give You the Best
All Humanist Society Celebrants must complete intensive training and mentoring programmes before they are registered to conduct any type of ceremony.  Our celebrants are regularly reviewed and also participate in ongoing practice development opportunities.

4. Setting the Standard
All our celebrants work to a set of standards to ensure that your experience is the best it can be.  Our celebrants are also subject to a complaints and grievance process.  If, in the unlikely event you have any concerns about your ceremony please raise these with your celebrant directly in the first instance.  If this proves difficult please email ceremonies@humanism.scot and we will do all we can to resolve the matter.

5. Best of All, We’re a Charity!
The Humanist Society Scotland is a Registered Scottish Charity and you can read about us here; our accounts are published annually. As a charity we campaign for a fairer Society; provide humanist ceremonies, including funerals for those under 16 at no charge.  We’re also really proud to be the Humanist organisation that worked hard for legal humanist marriage in Scotland.