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A wee bit about me

I'm based in Hamilton, in Lanarkshire but I travel all over Scotland marrying brilliant people.

I trained directly with Independent Humanist Ceremonies and I’m a legally authorised Marriage Officer, creating personal, relaxed and non-religious ceremonies that are all about you !

 

My style ? Relaxed, funny and a wee bit less formal. There's obviously a few formalities to get you legally hitched in there...but I promise we'll have a good few laughs along the way.


Couples often tell me I'm down to earth and it feels like I've known them for years, and that's exactly what I want -  to tell your story in a way that's genuine and completely you. 


So... if that sounds like your kind of ceremony -  give me a shout!

Fun black-and-white photo of Steven in a kilt giving thumbs up in a forest with a couple behind.
The official bit

        Legally Authorised  
        Non-religious Ceremonies 
        Civil Partnerships 
        Weddings throughout Scotland
        Fully personalised Ceremony

        
 

No question is a silly question !

Planning a wedding comes with plenty of questions - big ones, we ones and sometimes ones you think you should already know the answer to ! Chances are, I've been asked it before  so have a look through some of the questions couples ask me the most !

Can you legally marry us ?
100% yes. I'm part of Independent Humanist Ceremonies, and I'm fully authorised by the Registrar General for Scotland to conduct legally binding marriage and civil partnerships anywhere in Scotland.

What is a Humanist Ceremony ?
A Humanist Ceremony is a non-religious ceremony that's centred around you - your story, your relationship and the people and values that matter to you. There is no set script or one size fits all. As celebrant I'll get to know you both and write a unique script that feels like you.

My partner is religious, and i'm not, can we still have a Humanist Ceremony ?
Absolutely yes ! Humanist Ceremonies are for everyone ! You don't need to be a Humanist  - just happy to have a non-religious ceremony that reflects the two of you, your relationship and your values.

What paperwork do we need to fill in ?
If you want to legally marry in Scotland, there's some strict guidelines you need to follow.
In a nutshell, it's pretty simple  - you both need to fill in M10 forms and submit these to the local authority area where you are going to get married. The earliest you can submit these is 3 months before your wedding day, and the very (very) latest is 29 days before - but leaving it that late isn't the best idea !  If you are a non-uk national getting married is Scotland, there's also some additional forms you need to fill-in. You can find some really useful info here.

Can we include anything in our ceremony ?
In short YES ! The more unique the better and if you have any quirky ideas, lets be having them !  Pets as ring bearers, a sing along, dancing down the aisle...it's your day, your way ! 

Can we write our own vows ?
100%  - There's only a few things that we must include so it's all legally binding - but  a humanist ceremony is all about being personal and flexible so you can have the perfect big day.

What happens is one of us gets emotional ?
Absolutely nothing to worry about !  It's your wedding day - if there's ever a day you're allowed to get a wee bit emosh, this is it. We'll take a moment, have a breath, laugh if we need to, and carry on when your ready.
There's no rush, no pressure and I'll be right there with you - and I've usually got the tissues on standby ! 

Can we include a religious blessing in our ceremony ?
YES ! Your ceremony itself is non-religious, but I completely respect that faith and tradition can be important to you, your family or the people you love. If you would like a religeous blessing or reading. We can chat over how best we can include it in a way that feels right for everyone.

What's your style and approach  ? 
Each wedding I do is different but I'm generally laid back, a little less formal and always up for a good laugh. Despite being pretty accomplished at swearing in everyday life, my ceremonies are normally completely expletive - free and child friendly. Unless of course, you absolutely, categorically, 100% want a particular "word" included as an integral part of your story. We'll have a chat and make sure it lands in exactly the right way.  There are, however a couple that are an absolute no-go ! You know, that particular word that rhymes with next Tuesday and a certain French Designer brand spelled incorrectly. 
Above all, my job is to make you feel supported, relaxed and completely stress free so you can soak up the good vibes and enjoy every second.

Any other questions in mind ? Contact me for a wee chat !

 

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