In this section
What should I look for when choosing a wedding Celebrant?
What is the difference between a Humanist and a Celebrant?
Why would I choose a wedding Celebrant over a Registrar?
We married abroad but would like a ceremony in my home town, can this be done?
Getting Married in Spain: The ultimate guide to a Spanish destination wedding
Getting married in Scotland – The ultimate guide to a Scottish destination wedding
Getting married in Greece: The ultimate guide to a Greek destination wedding
Getting married in The Middle East: The ultimate guide to a UAE destination wedding
Getting Married in New Zealand – The ultimate guide to a Kiwi destination wedding
What is the difference between a Humanist and a Celebrant?
A humanist celebrant and an independent celebrant possess a good deal of similarities in how they write and officiate a ceremony. They all tick the box of delivering a highly personalised ceremony (one that can be held in any location) and offer an alternative to a more typical registrar or church service.
The main difference comes from the parameters in which a humanist celebrant can work. A humanist celebrant will only offer a secular or non-religious ceremony; their service is based purely on humanity and reason. They have no religious beliefs and so do not include any religious content in their ceremony. Having said that, Humanist Ceremonies can include religious content if it occurs in readings, hymns or music originally written for praise, as long as there is no ‘act of worship’ requested.
An independent celebrant has more freedom: they are able to include whatever the couple want in the ceremony. This could include an act of worship – such as a prayer – if this is what the couple wants. Equally, they are comfortable with performing an entirely non-religious ceremony.
Both humanist and independent celebrants will give your ceremony the personality and punch you want.