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Photo Credit : Joshua Lawrence
Do you know how to differentiate between a Humanist or Independent Celebrant wedding? I am often asked what the difference is between them.
Indeed over the years I have received many enquiries from couples thinking they want a humanist ceremony. They seem under the impression that this is the only alternative to a run of the mill civil wedding or a church wedding.
Furthermore, even some well-established wedding venues refer to ceremonies other than those officiated by a Registrar as humanist. Time for some clarification I think. Discover the differences between a Humanist or Independent Celebrant wedding.
Humanist or iNDEPENDENT celebrant Wedding: The similarIties
It’s confusing mainly because the focus of Independent and Humanist Celebrants is the same. Its on the celebration of a couple’s love with their story, the beating heart of the ceremony.
Both Humanist and Independent Celebrants are also just thoroughly lovely people. Their sole purpose is to celebrate a couple’s love and thereby uniting everyone. Both write every word of the script, based on information gleaned from lengthy meetings with couples, and not only include the unique love story but also vow and ring exchanges, words about marriage and love and ending with a joyful pronouncement.
A Humanist or Independent Celebrant wedding ceremony is never boring. They are peppered with humour and sincerity in equal measure and never fail to exceed expectations.
So, what is the difference between a Humanist or Independent Celebrant wedding? It comes down to religion or the lack of it. Humanist ceremonies are based on humanity and reason. Humanists have no religious beliefs, so none are included in the ceremony, whereas Independent Celebrants will include religious elements if that’s the couples wish.
Photo credit: Heather Photography
Humanist beliefs
Humanists are non religious. They look to science, reason, empathy and compassion in order to live an ethical and meaningful life. They do not believe in an after life.
Stephen Fry describes Humanism as follows “An approach to life, which encourages ethical and fulfilling living on the basis of reason and humanity, and rejects superstition and religion. The most immediate impact of living as a Humanist is that we believe this life is all there is – so what we do and the choices we make really count.”
During my research into this blog I really enjoyed doing the quiz ‘how Humanist are you’ on the Humanist UK website to see how close my beliefs came to humanism. Interestingly a 67% match.
My beliefs
My beliefs do strongly affect how I work as an Independent Wedding Celebrant. Although not overly religious, I do believe that choice is paramount. My ceremonies have been described as traditionally modern. I like the familiar format of a church wedding and many of the traditions. My ceremonies lean that way but without the stuffiness. They are light, filled with warmth, sincerity and, in my opinion, an essential ingredient, playfulness.
My husband and I were married in church. The million dollar question is would I marry in church now? In those days one did rather do what one’s parent’s did, without question.
But one of the reasons I became a Celebrant was because I firmly believe that couples should be aware that there are alternatives to a registrar led civil wedding ceremony or a traditional church service. That you should be able to have your wedding ceremony as you want it.
Photo Credit: Little Phat Dog Photographic
Independent wedding celebrant
Independent wedding Celebrants have total freedom; they are able to include whatever the couple want within their ceremony. Be that a prayer or a hymn, or equally no religion at all. This flexibility means that your ceremony can be tailored to your exact wishes including possibly just a small religious element which will satisfy the most traditional of guest.
To be honest, in my experience, very few couples want much religion within their ceremony. Hymns are popular and sometimes the odd religious reading, but mostly none at all.
An Independent celebrants’ own personal religious, spiritual or atheist beliefs vary from celebrant to celebrant. Some are Christian, some are Buddhist, some Agnostic.
Where we are all the same, is that we are truly inclusive, embracing tradition and individuality ensuring that the couples we work with ultimately have a ceremony that reflects them and their beliefs. It’s this inclusiveness along with the ability to personalise your ceremony to the ‘nth’ degree which is seeing the rise in popularity of the Independent Celebrant led wedding. So, now you know the key difference between a Humanist or Independent Celebrant wedding., but there’s more!
Media exposure For A Humanist or Independent Celebrant Wedding
Humanist celebrants have received a fair amount of media exposure recently. The reason being that a couple of years ago some couples went to the High Court making a landmark challenge over the legal recognition of Humanist marriages in England. The judge ruled that “the present law gives rise to ……. Discrimination”. For the record, Humanist marriages in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey are already recognised as legally binding.
This ruling is, of course, good news and gives hope that change is afoot, certainly for Humanist weddings, but does rather leave us Independent Celebrants out in the cold. However, the government is currently giving the whole matter consideration in the form of a review into marriage law by the Law Commission. We are all on the edge of our seats to see what changes, if any, will be made for a Humanist or Independent Celebrant wedding. We are expecting the results later this year.
Photo credit: DHW Photography
How a change in the laws would affect me
Although I really welcome the prospect of a change to the marriage laws I have to be honest and admit that a part of me feels cautious and a touch apprehensive. There is a chance that the change in the law may mean that the Celebrant is licensed, thereby restricting you to licenced venues.
One of the joys of being an Independent Celebrant is that there are literally no restrictions. The very word licensed indicates regulation.
I for one will be hoping that the registrars, who are trained to ensure that the correct and important procedures prior to a legal marriage are completed, continue their great work and hopefully leave the creating and officiating of ceremonies to the Celebrants.
Whatever the result is of the long awaited Law Commission review, I say bravo to the Humanists for shining a light on the dire need for a change – whatever that may be.
Humanist Or Independent Celebrant Wedding : Conclusion
I hope this blog provided you with some clarification on the differences between a Humanist or Independent Celebrant wedding. Ultimately, you want a ceremony that is right for you, as a couple, that celebrates your love and your beliefs. If you would like more information about the differences between a Humanist or Independent Celebrant wedding, or indeed on my ceremonies, click the following link: I’d love to have a chat and tell you all about the service I provide.
