Wedding Ceremony Frequently Asked Questions

Humanists aim to be guided by reason, inspired by compassion and informed by experience rather than religion - this secular philosophy reflects the way that Humanists look at life and their caring and practical approach to it. 

Yes. Humanist weddings in Scotland, conducted by myself as a licensed celebrant (authorised Marriage Officer) are fully legal.  

I'll guide you through everything you need to know regarding your paperwork, what you need to complete and when you need to contact the registry office.

You both each need to complete a marriage notice application form (M10). 

These forms need to be submitted to the registry office located in the area in which your marriage will take place (for example, if your venue is Dunkeld House Hotel, but you live in Glasgow, you would need to submit your forms to Perth registry office). 

You'll also be asked to complete and submit a witness form, these are the two people that you'd like to witness your marriage on your big day. 

You can submit your marriage notices from 12  weeks before the date of your wedding, and they must be submitted no later than 29 days before. 

No. My license covers all of Scotland, so you can be married anywhere you wish! The top of a mountain, a garden, hotel, park, hall, a beach, there really are no limits! Apart from sky diving, for that one, I'm not your gal! ;)

Personal vows allow you as a couple, a moment within the ceremony to acknowledge and express your feelings to one another. Not only are you sharing your story,  you’re giving your guests a peek into what makes your relationship special, and most importantly you’re sharing meaningful and significant words with the person you love. 

You don’t legally have to have them at all, the choice is yours! 

I can read vows that you have written on your behalf if you aren’t keen on saying them yourselves, I’m also there to take over should things get emotional and a little overwhelming. 

Not everyone is comfortable with writing their own personal vows, I can give you some lovely examples to choose from or to get some inspiration from.

The law requires that within the marriage ceremony certain words must be repeated by both partners in front of me and your witnesses. 

There are four options open to you to choose from in order to make your formal declarion that I'll share with you. Here is one as an example:

I Name 

accept you Name 

as my wife/husband

Please accept this ring

as a token of my love for you

Wedding rings are usually exchanged at this point in the ceremony too.

Apart from the Legal Vows which are required in all marriages, you are bound only by your imagination and time. 

Yes. For me as your celebrant, same sex marriage is exactly the same as mixed sex marriage, I’ll design your ceremony exactly how you want it. Nothing is ‘off limits’ it really is your wedding, your way 

This is a ceremony conducted when there is no legal element required. 

Similar to a vow renewal ceremony where the couple have been married for a while and want to celebrate a milestone in their relationship.

A couple may have married legally during an elopement, or at a registry office, but want to share a bigger celebration at a later date with a larger wedding style ceremony - this would be a Celebration of Marriage. 

*Please note that I cannot sign any form of certificate/paperwork during a celebration of marriage ceremony.

When we first meet, I’ll want to get to know you both as people, and as a couple. What's your personality, what's your style, and how did your love story begin?

How did you meet? 

Where did you meet? 

What are your interests? 

What do you enjoy doing together as a  couple? 

Who proposed, and how? 

Are there any funny stories you can share? 

What made you fall in love? 

I then use all of this information to craft a ceremony script that is as indivdual as you are.

We’ll have a chat about the sort of ceremony you’d  like on you big day.  

Do you have a theme? 

How many guests will you have? 

Who will make up the bridal party - bridesmaids, flower girls/boys, maid of honour, best woman? Who will walk who down the aisle? 

Who will make up the Grooms party - best man, men or woman, ushers? 

What sort of style would you like, funny, relaxed, upbeat, or something more formal? 

What pieces of music would you like played for walking down the aisle, signing the schedule, and walking back up the aisle as a married couple? 

Who will be in charge of playing the music? 

If you have musicians playing, what pieces will they play and when? 

Will you have a photographer? 

Will you have a videographer? 

Will there be readings, songs or poetry? 

Would you like to include personal vows? 

Would you like Symbolic gestures such as hand fasting or drinking from the quaich? 

I will then take all of this information and add in what we call the choreography so you will know exactly what is happening and when.

Your marriage ceremony typically lasts 30 minutes, this includes your legal vows as well as a welcome to all your guests, music, readings, personal vows, exchange of rings, signing of the marriage register, any symbolic gestures you may wish to include and closing words. 

This is not set in stone and your ceremony can be as long or as short as you'd like it to be.  

I will arrive nice and early and will stay for a while afterwards to make sure that you have your paperwork some where safe, congratulate you both personally and grab a couple of happy selfies :)

Booking me is easy, all you need to do is visit  Fuze Ceremonies - Appointedd and select the ceremony you'd like. 

If you are looking for a full legal marriage the rate is £525 including VAT, if you're looking to renew or confirm your vows (if married in another country or at a registry office and looking for me to conduct the celebration) the rate is £500 including VAT.

A baby naming ceremonys is £250 including VAT.

A funeral ceremony if booked online is £220 including VAT.

There is a 25% booking fee required to secure me for your date at the point of online booking.  I am available all year around on weekdays and weekends! If your venue is more than 50 miles return from Dunfermline, Fife, travel expenses may apply.

I look forward to meeting you soon!