Is a celebrant right for you?
Congratulations! You’re getting married! You’ve chosen the date and venue for your wedding, and you’re having a look at other elements which will make your day special: your outfits, rings, a photographer, entertainment, cake, flowers, decorative touches for the venue – to name a few.
But have you thought about the ceremony for your marriage or civil partnership, and how you’d like that to be? This is such an important part of your day, and an area which also gives you lots of choice, especially in Scotland. Your ceremony allows you to enjoy a completely personal, one-of-a-kind experience, if that’s what you would like.
Scotland is a wonderful place to get married. You can tie the knot practically anywhere, and there are LOTS of ceremony options – non-religious, religious, or perhaps, a mix of both. You can choose a faith-led service in a place of worship; a civil ceremony with a registrar; or a celebrant-led ceremony – an option which is becoming increasingly popular.
A disclaimer before I continue: if you’re reading this, you’ll likely know I’m a celebrant with Agnostic Scotland (www.agnosticscotland.org). So you might be thinking, of course I’d say to choose a celebrant-led wedding.
It is a brilliant option, as I explain in this blog, but I will also say that it’s not always going to be the right option for you. It could be the perfect one: you just need to make sure you make the right choice for you.
What is a wedding celebrant?
Put simply, the celebrant is the person who conducts your ceremony. And in Scotland, that really can be anywhere (as long as you have permission). So it could be outside in a garden, a field, or on a beach; up a hill or mountain – this is all possible. Or in a castle or historic building, a church, hotel or bespoke wedding venue: the choice is yours.
Many celebrants in Scotland are also authorised to carry out the legal elements of a marriage ceremony, including religious, agnostic (that’s me), humanist, interfaith and pagan celebrants. There are lots of independent celebrants too, but they will not be able to do the legal elements. If you want a legal ceremony, it’s important to check if the celebrant can do this.
Why choose a celebrant?
More people are choosing a celebrant-led wedding as a way to enjoy a very personal and memorable ceremony, tailored to them as a couple.
As an Agnostic Scotland celebrant, I offer a very individual and personalised service, getting to know you as a couple and taking time to craft a ceremony which is unique to you. No two ceremonies are the same.
I tell your story, help you to create personal vows if you wish, offer to add symbolic ritual elements, such as a traditional handfasting or quaich toast, or something bespoke, and encourage you to add other special touches such as readings, music or song.
This offers you the chance to be as creative as you like – to involve family members, children or beloved pets, if you wish – and to have the ceremony where and when you like; no restrictions.
And we can also blend in the legal bit, if that’s what you’d like. I’ll bring the fountain pens, and we can do this anywhere.
(I talk more about me and my Agnostic ceremonies in my blog titled My Agnostic Superpower.)
How do you find your celebrant?
Do your research!
Have a good think about the kind of ceremony you’d like – a simple, no-fuss way to say ‘I do’; a unique celebration of everything you are as a couple; or something in-between?
There is plenty of information out there in the online world to help you choose. Most celebrants like me will have a website or social media presence which will allow you to find out more about them and their ceremony style, to see if you think they are the right person for you – and ask if they offer a free initial no-obligation chat to hear more.
A no-obligation chat is a great way to get more information, but it’s also a fab way to see if you have a connection. It’s all about chemistry. A marketing expert friend says this is called a ‘chemistry chat’ in her industry. What a brilliant way to describe it, and I’m now adopting that!
Chat also with family and friends to see if they have any suggestions; pop along to wedding fairs for ideas; or ask your venue or other suppliers if they have any recommendations. Have you been to a wedding where you liked – or didn’t like! – the ceremony style?
What do people think?
Sometimes it’s best to let couples do the talking: some words from them – when that chemistry is just right.
“From start to finish, Anne offered us such valuable support, reassurance and advice. We always felt that we were in safe hands!“Our wedding ceremony was so much more than either of us ever anticipated and we owe you a gratitude of thanks for creating something so very, very special that we will cherish forever.”
G&S
“Thank-you Anne for being the perfect celebrant! You were a joy to work with and we really appreciated the time you put into getting to know us. The whole process was seamless, and the end product was a beautiful, personal ceremony which was very special, and we will treasure the memories of it forever.”
J&G
“Our wedding simply wouldn’t have been the same without you. From the moment we met you, we knew instantly that you were for us. Your kind nature, approachability, enthusiasm and love for what you do is simply outstanding. You made us feel at ease from the very beginning; like this journey together was one to enjoy and not to feel overburdened with all the stresses that come with planning such an important day.”
A&G
“Asking Anne from Agnostic Scotland to be our celebrant was the best decision we made when planning our wedding. She was there every step of the way to help us create our perfect, personalised ceremony.”
C&R
“Every interaction we have had with Anne has just been full of warmth, positivity and support. She brought everything we could have hoped for and more to our day, and we shall forever be grateful.
“We are so glad we found such a special and remarkable lady to hold our ceremony. Being able to have such warmth and friendliness combined with such professionalism is a special talent!”
R&A
“We really can't stress enough how perfect she is. If you are considering an Agnostic ceremony, pick up your phone and give Anne a message.”
M&R
Top Tips
♡ Have a good think about the kind of ceremony you want – what’s important to you?
♡ Do your research to see who might fit the bill – and do they offer a free, chemistry chat?
♡ Have that chat. Do you gel and click with them? Having a good connection with your celebrant is vital!
♡ Plan the ceremony you want, that you will enjoy, and that is right for you.
Let’s have a chemistry chat,
Anne x