Humanist weddings

Start as you mean to go on!

A humanist wedding ceremony is not the bit you have to endure before the party begins. It’s where it starts.

This is where we laugh, cry (in that good way) and cheer. Where we celebrate, take part and feel together. It’s where your love story is shared in all its glory and where memories are made for life - as unique and special as you. Definitely not like a traditional religious ceremony or registrar ‘insert name here’ service.

Make it a grand gathering of your most important friends and family to witness you proclaiming your love and commitment to each other. And make sure you include all the things that matter to you (and none of what doesn’t).

I hereby give you permission to have a ceremony that is inclusive, joy-filled and just the right fit for you.

Choose a humanist wedding ceremony and give yourself the freedom to mark and celebrate your luscious love without religion, formalities or expectations.

Choose love. Choose a Ceremony by Gitte.

A graphic image of two cherries on a green stalk with one green leaf. One cherry is bright red, the other cherry is dark red.

“A family member commented that “usually at weddings you’re waiting for the service to end before the fun part begins, but with your wedding the service was part of the fun too.” High praise!”

Marta & Simon

A humanist wedding is…

  • Young couple gazing at each other under a transparent umbrella, on Worthing pier. Bride wears a vintage style white wedding dress and a veil holding a bouquet of white and pink flowers. Groom is wearing a grey smart suit and pink tie.

    Whatever you can dream it to be

    You choose how you want it to be. It can be anything from simple and zen-like to dancing-on-the-ceiling-singing-your-heart-out wild. Include the dog, the kids or perform a duet. Elopement? Vow renewals? Divorce ceremony? Bring it.

  • A boho couple in relaxed wedding outfits sitting on the front bumper of a VW campervan at dusk. Bride wearing two-piece dress and holding wild flowers. Groom in suspenders and hat.

    Wherever you want it to be

    Have your ceremony indoors or outdoors, at home, in a castle, hall, woodland or beach - wherever floats your boat (how about on a boat?) - as you don’t need it to be in a licensed* wedding venue. Let your setting reflect who you are, not restrict you.

  • Two lovely hands, one of colour and one white, touching by the knuckles showing their wedding bands.

    Whomever you want to marry

    Your love is your love, because love is love! It’s a great honour to be able to conduct weddings for people from diverse backgrounds and of any ability, sex or gender identity, and I have adopted the Core Values of LGBTQ Equality Weddings.

The journey to your perfect wedding ceremony

  1.  First date

    First we meet for a free and informal 30 minute chat about you and your wishes, how it works and how I work. We can meet on a video call, or if you are local to me, we could meet up for a cuppa and cake somewhere cozy. This is completely non-binding.

  1. Sealing the deal

    When we are both happy to go ahead, we will commit to a basic agreement and a non-refundable first instalment to secure the date.

  2. “Homework”

    Next, I’ll send you a questionnaire, where you can start recording all your ideas and some logistics. Some couples like to make an evening out of filling this in, helped by some wine and time away from busy lives. Others find it really useful to do individually.

  3. Planning like champs

    The planning phase starts. This is where we meet in person and talk in-depth about your love story, what makes you tick (and ick) and decide on the vibe and elements of your ceremony. I’ll make sure I get all facts right, but also all your little quirks and especially how you feel about each other and what you wish for your future lives. Bring all your dreams to the planning table. It’s ok if your lives or families aren’t perfect - a wholehearted wedding has space for it all and celebrates all of you!

    I’m there for you with guidance, support and inspiration for symbolic actions, readings, music and anything else you need (all the way until your wedding day). If you’re stuck for ideas and not quite sure what you want, I have plenty of ideas I’d be happy to share with you. I have a guide on how to write your personal vows and am also available to work with you one-to-one on your vows or other elements.

  4. Wholehearted writing

    I will then craft your personal and original ceremony script around your words and the feelings and values I get from you. There will be magical words on marriage, your love story told with humour and warmth, symbolic acts just for you and a fire-cracker of a celebration. The script is there for us to get it right, but your actual ceremony will have a natural flow and won’t feel like being read from a script.

    We will build this together, as you will be able to read, edit and approve the script.

  5. Celebrating you on your day

    On your wedding day, I’ll be at the venue in good time. I’ll check in with photographers, venue staff, musicians and readers. And, I’m, of course, there for you both before the ceremony too.

    Then …. (drum roll)… I will deliver your one-of-a-kind, unforgettable wedding ceremony!

Fees and contract

My fee starts at £900, which includes all of the above.

If I need to travel further than an hour or make an overnight stay, I will charge separately for that. We will agree this in our first meeting before we get started.

There are no hidden extras - the initial quote is what you will pay - no matter how long or short the ceremony is.

What’s included?

  • My attention and dedication - you can contact me anytime with questions.

  • An exciting “homework” questionnaire to complete together

  • A full meeting to get to know you fully and to plan the ceremony in detail together (in your home or a public place)

  • A guide for how to write your personal vows

  • Ideas, guidance and inspiration for readings, music, symbolic acts and vows, including access to written and digital resources

  • A completely uniquely crafted ceremony script

  • A chance to edit or add to the script, after the first version

  • Me delivering your ceremony on the day (I will be early and will stay back for as long as needed)

  • Support for sourcing relevant props for symbolic acts

  • A keepsake (biodegradable) box, including a copy of your ceremony script formatted beautifully, your vow booklets and any props, e.g. hand fasting cords.

  • A tree planted and dedicated to you with your wedding date on the certificate (or you can choose another donation option, if you like)

  • A commemorative wedding certificate to sign and keep (if relevant)

  • Access to a replacement celebrant from my network, in case of emergency

  • The reassurance of a fully accredited and insured Humanists UK celebrant

*Humanist weddings are not legally recognised in England (yet!) so the ‘paperwork bit’ needs to be done separately. Don’t worry though – it’s simple and inexpensive, and most couples choose to do this in the days or weeks before their special day. I am happy to talk you through this..

**I care a lot about animals and the environment, so I would ask you not to release balloons, lanterns or doves etc.