You may well ask – lots of people do.
 

Let’s start with what I am not. I am not a Humanist. Humanist celebrants do pretty much what independent celebrants do, but they are completely non-religious.
 

Something else I’m not.  I’m not a registrar. This means that, for your marriage to be legally recognised in Scotland, you must complete the basic legal formalities at a registry office. These consist of fewer than 50 words and couples usually go either earlier the same week or the week after.  This leaves you free to have the ceremony of your dreams in the location of your choice, as you are not bound by legal wording or using only licensed premises.
 

So what am I?
 

As an independent celebrant I am, by definition, independent, and therefore free to design and conduct ceremonies which are religious, non-religious or anywhere on the scale between.  If you would like a Sufi prayer, a Pagan ritual or a Jewish blessing at your wedding, vow renewal or funeral, it’s all possible.  If you want to combine two spiritual backgrounds into one ceremony, that’s possible too.  If you are an atheist and want no religious or spiritual content at all, let’s design a ceremony around that.
 

It’s your day, your way.
 

Want to ask a question or talk about your ceremony ideas?  Do get in touch. I’d love to help.

Absolutely you can!  And can include as many songs, music or hymns you like.  These can be played through the venue's PA System (if they have one, or can be hired from me) or have live musicians and/or singers, it’s up to you!

To be "legal" in Scotland, you have to  complete the basic legal formalities at a registry office. These consist of fewer than 50 words and couples usually go either earlier the same week or the week after.  This leaves you free to have the ceremony of your dreams in the location of your choice, as you are not bound by legal wording or using only licensed premises.

Anywhere you wish!  You are only limited to your own imagination!  Your venue does not need to be a licensed wedding venue as your ceremony is not legally binding. Just be sure to have permission from the venue owner before you invite all of your guests.

Yes.  An Independent Celebrant Wedding Ceremony is not a legally binding ceremony.  It is about celebrating your love and relationship in a way that is special to you. If you wish to confirm your committment to each other without legal ties, then that’s not a problem.

No. The content of a celebrant ceremony is not restricted to any culture, faith or religion.  If you wish to also incorporate a cultural or religious tradition into your ceremony, you can.

Yes. Indoors, outdoors, on a beach, at the park, by a lake, up a tree, in the forest, on a mountain, in your own garden, at the zoo, on the train… The options are endless.  It may be wise to have a back-up plan for wet weather though!

The following should help you decide what you actually need.  For weddings, things are slightly different.  There are basically three ways of doing it in Scotland - minister/priest, registrar or Independent Celebrant.  By using an independent celebrant for weddings, you can have your wedding, your way.

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A minister or priest will conduct your ceremony in their church and it will be a traditional ceremony with religion at its base.  It's a formal way of getting married and can be subject to strict rules and regulations.

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A registrar is a government official, responsible for keeping legal records. A wedding ceremony performed by a registrar must take place in a venue licensed for marriage, using specified contractual wording to legalise the union. Religious / spiritual content is not allowed in a registrar wedding ceremony.

A celebrant is an independent individual who is trained in providing you with a custom-made ceremony designed to celebrate any ‘right of passage’ in a way which is personal to you, without legal obligation or government restriction. There are very few limitations as to what can be included in a celebrant ceremony.  It can be religious or non-religious, as much or as little as you like.

Yes. Celebrant ceremonies often involve symbolic ceremonies such as  Handfasting, Unity Candles, Sand Ceremonies, Ring Warming, Gemstones, Water, Memory Boxes, planting flowers or trees… etc - again, only limited by your own imagination. OR if you prefer not to have a symbolic ceremony, that’s fine too!

Certainly!  Your ceremony is unique, about you and your personal style.  I am completely open minded to your ideas, no matter how crazy, quirky, or unusual they may seem!