Celebrating love inclusively in a Humanist ceremony
Polly and Mia walking towards their way to their humanist wedding ceremony, being supported by one of their brothers sheltering Mia from the rain. The intentioned ceremony space was made inaccessible and dangerous due to rain, so we quickly arranged a new ceremony space in the marquee, where all their guests could both see, hear and take part in the ceremony.
If you value inclusivity, a humanist wedding ceremony is your perfect opportunity to create a truly diverse and welcoming experience, encompassing your true values and your trusted community.
What it really means to have an inclusive wedding ceremony will be completely unique to you, but I do have a few tips and ideas that could help you understand how someone like me, a humanist wedding celebrant, can make your vision for your wedding become a reality.
Making the ceremony accessible for all
Every couple deserves equal opportunity to have their love celebrated and witnessed in a way that is meaningful and accessible to them and their guests. Humanist celebrants are committed to ensuring that the ceremony is designed to be inclusive of everyone, regardless of their abilities.
From helping to ensure the venue is accessible, to providing sign language interpreters or captioning services, celebrants can work with your other wedding suppliers, your family and friends and often help provide the tools or support needed directly.
Personally, I will always put in extra effort to make sure your ceremony can be experienced fully. Some of the ways I can support you in that are:
Visiting the venue in advance to plot out our movements and make specific risk assessments for you.
Connect you with other inclusive wedding suppliers.
Work with people you trust, through meetings, phone calls and sharing information.
Design materials that are accessible (according to your instructions).
Be available throughout our journey of working together to add or change any details that will help you.
Creating a queer affirming experience without boundaries or making assumptions
As a humanist, I am committed to challenge discrimination and prejudice, whenever I see it - and I prioritise creating a safe and welcoming space, where all couples can express their love freely and authentically. As an LGBTQ+ couple, your love will be celebrated and honoured without any judgement - I will rejoice in your love!
From the language used in the ceremony to the design of the rituals, inclusivity and celebration are at the heart of every word spoken.
I am working to be as ‘queer affirming’ as possible, and I think that to affirm someone’s identity, I have to be aware of what it is, accept and understand what it means to them, and believe their experiences.
I won’t assume your sexuality, identity or gender.
I do my best to continually educate myself about different identities, orientations, and lifestyles that fall under the queer umbrella (including ones that don’t apply to myself personally).
I will respect your confidentiality, and will not out you without permission, in both queer and non-queer spaces.
I support research and academic projects that promote knowledge and wellbeing for queer people.
I will support your rights to have a ceremony that creates an affirming commitment and celebrates all that you want to.
I will support your choices for your ceremony and always be on your side.
Embracing cultural diversity
We live in one of the most multicultural societies in the world and to embrace and celebrate that in all its forms is a gift. As an immigrant and multilingual person myself, it is one of my most treasured skills to be able to create fusion wedding ceremonies.
The cultural backgrounds of both of you, as individuals and as part of different communities, should be recognised, respected and acknowledged - but in a way that is meaningful to you. Learning about and understanding your cultural heritage is part of the work I do with you, and I will help turn your ideas and customs that you want to include into meaningful symbolic actions and rituals in the ceremony.
You can blend different cultural elements into the ceremony, have readings in multiple languages (I speak Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, German and a little Spanish) or create new rituals that reflect your personal identities and backgrounds.
How a humanist wedding ceremony embraces diversity and leaves no one behind
Whether you have already booked the venue and other suppliers or not, as a humanist celebrant, I am able to help you create the ceremony that fits you, shows you truly and embraces all that you are.
There’s no need to compromise on anything for your wedding, no matter your needs and wants, so stand by your deal-breakers and must-haves. You have permission to celebrate your love in its truest form and I would be absolutely honoured to help you achieve that.
From the moment we start working together, we will agree what your requirements are and I will start researching and suggesting ways to make it all a reality.
I will be available on phone, messages, emails, video calls and will meet with you in person.
I will research and visit the venue, if I am not already familiar with it.
I will get in contact with your venue, photographer, planner or other suppliers and make sure we all agree on how to support you.
I will research any cultural aspects you want to include and will suggest ways to include it in the ceremony
I will learn words in other languages than the ones I know already, if needed.
I will be open to learning anything new that supports you and which will help create your ideal wedding ceremony.
If you just want to talk about all of this or anything else, I am always available for a free and informal chat. And I am always happy to share my own personal background and values, if you want to find out if we vibe.
And remember: you don’t need to ask here!
