QUESTIONS ABOUT HUMANIST CEREMONIES WITH MEG

How can we book you? What is the process?

 

This is exciting! The answer is YES. First do get in touch to check my availability for your date, then we can arrange a video call to confirm that I'm the right celebrant for you. Once we know we have the chemistry to work together, I'll send you full booking details and we'll sign a contract. Then we can get started with the fun part and plan your ceremony!

 

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Do you officiate LGBTQ+ weddings?

 

I do. (See what I did there?)

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How far would you travel for our ceremony?

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For you my dears, I'd go anywhere! I regularly travel to all corners of the UK, and for very special ceremonies (which I'm sure yours will be) I travel overseas too.

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Equality and inclusion – What are you doing about it?

 

My intention is that every person feels confident and safe when approaching me about working together, and when booking me as their celebrant. I actively seek out training opportunities on equality and inclusion so that I can do better in this area.

 

So that it's explicit as you shouldn't have to ask, please know that:

 

• My ceremonies are for people of any sex or gender identity, and of any sexual orientation

• My clients are from diverse backgrounds and include black, brown and mixed heritage people

• Accessibility matters to me. If there is anything I can adapt - for any reason such as medical needs, mental health considerations, neurodivergence or disability - please ask. This applies to your experience and to your ceremony guests' experience too

• Your feedback is 100% welcome. I will, and I do, make improvements based on what clients tell me about their experience of working together

• As a mental health first aider, I want my clients to feel able to be themselves when planning their ceremony with me. I encourage honest discussion about mental wellbeing

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What’s your approach to sustainability?

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Being humanist doesn’t have a strict definition,

but to me it means living an ethical life and looking after people and the planet.

My approach to sustainability is to minimise my impact wherever I can. I prioritise taking public transport, when I have to drive I have a hybrid car, and am very waste conscious.

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Are humanist wedding ceremonies legally recognised?

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It depends where your wedding will be held. In Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey the answer is yes. Sadly right now humanist wedding ceremonies are not yet legally recognised in England or Wales. This means at the moment you need to have a separate civil service in addition to your humanist ceremony.

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Will the wedding feel real?

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Absolutely! You’ll be declaring your love and commitment in front of the people who are most important to you. It will feel authentic because it will be personal, memorable and genuinely about celebrating your love and marriage.

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Is a naming ceremony like a non-religious Christening?

 

Sort of, yes. If you want to celebrate how awesome your child is, there is absolutely no reason to miss out just because you aren't religious. If you like the idea of a Christening, because you've been to some lovely ones before, then we can create a naming ceremony which is similar to that format. But naturally it will be a million times better than you having to pretend to believe in a god if you don't.

 

Naming ceremonies are also suitable for families who have different religious beliefs to one another and would like to mark the arrival of their child in an open-minded way.

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But of course, if you come from a religious or cultural background which celebrates children in a different way, we can honour traditions which are important to you.

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Are naming ceremonies a bit too "hippy" for me and my family?

 

Um, no not at all! Naming ceremonies are for everyone, not just hippy-types. They are becoming more and more popular. If you haven't been to one yourself before it can be hard to imagine, but they are almost always fun, welcoming, relaxed and child-focussed.

 

If you like to wear floaty clothes and talk about peace and love then, you go ahead and do your thing. However I will admit I've never been described as a hippy myself. Find out more about me here or check out my Instagram. You'll see living proof that celebrants are normal and work with normal people like you.