Humanist Weddings
Humanist weddings in Scotland
Joyous. Meaningful. Powerful. Co-created.
Humanists campaigned for more than 25 years here in Scotland to give couples the freedom to say in their own words why they want to marry. That freedom of expression was hard-won, and it lies at the heart of our approach.
Every Humankind ceremony is unique, because it is created by and with the couple at its heart. We never forget that this is your ceremony, and our role is to help express your thoughts and feelings in imaginative and creative ways.
We can marry you anywhere in Scotland – with two exceptions.
The ceremony was by far our favourite part of the day – which is exactly how a wedding should be!
Humanist weddings FAQ
What are the legalities of getting married in Scotland?
To register your intention to marry, you will need to lodge your M10 forms with a Register Office in the district in which you’re getting married. The earliest you can do that is three months beforehand, and the latest, 29 days before. You can find more information about that on the mygov.scot website.
You will need to bring the Marriage schedule so we can sign it on the day with two witnesses who must be over 16. When you collect it from the Register Office, please double check that all the details are correct.
What are the compulsory aspects within a wedding ceremony?
There is no legally prescribed form of words to be used in relation to 'marriage vows' in Scotland. The only requirement is that you indicate that you accept one another in marriage.
Full details on the National Records of Scotland website.
Do we need to say words like husband and wife or bride and groom?
No. We know that not everybody wants to use those terms, which is why we generally recommend that you both use the phrase “I accept you in marriage” although you can additionally say “I choose / take / accept you as my husband”, or “I take / choose / accept you as my wife”.
Can I include any religious or spiritual elements?
Yes. Humanism is often the way that two people from different traditions choose to marry. Our ceremonies are secular, but we welcome readings and symbolic gestures from other traditions, and we will be happy to discuss the many ways in which we can do that.
Can I marry anywhere in Scotland?
We have conducted weddings in all kinds of places from kitchens to castles, beaches to the tops of mountains. As long as the location is ‘safe and dignified’, you can get married anywhere, although Humankind celebrants have decided not to conduct ceremonies at any properties owned by Donald Trump. You can read more about our reasons here.
Image by Tony Marsh