Why Humanist Society Scotland Celebrants Are (Ahem) the Best

Okay, cards on the table: I’m a celebrant with Humanist Society Scotland. So yes, I’m biased. HSS is the only humanist body that is formally prescribed by the Scottish Government through the Registrar General to solemnise legal marriages and civil partnerships in Scotland. We have the same standing in practical terms as a religious body whose ministers are automatically authorised.

(If you're not sure how big of a deal this is, it's worth reading this article before you choose your own celebrant.)

But our legal standing isn't the only thing that makes us so brilliant. We know from experience what a difference it makes when your ceremony is built on more than just a script and a smile. When it’s rooted in real values, real stories, and real freedom.

Let me explain.

We’re not just winging it.

Humanist Society Scotland celebrants are trained. Properly. We go through a rigorous application process, complete in-depth training (which includes everything from ethics to ceremony structure to inclusive language), and we’re regularly reviewed to make sure we’re not phoning it in with a fill-in-the-blanks ceremony template. We work to high professional standards - not just because we have to, but because we want to get it absolutely right for you.

We believe in people, not a script.

This is the big one. We’re not representing a belief system or an institution. We’re not there to preach or to please anyone's doctrine. We’re there to put you at the heart of things - your values, your memories, your daft stories, your dancing aunties and your dog with the bow tie. Whether it’s a wedding, a funeral, or a naming ceremony, it’s all about creating something meaningful, personal, and real. No need to pretend to be someone you’re not.

We’re legally legit.

Humanist weddings have been legally recognised in Scotland since 2005, and the very first one took place at Edinburgh Zoo (how’s that for a setting?). Today, humanist weddings are more popular than religious ones - official figures from 2022 show that more people in Scotland chose a humanist celebrant than all the faith-based options combined. That’s a lot of penguins. And a lot of trust.

We don’t do cookie-cutter.

There’s no script tucked in our back pocket with space for you to insert your names. Every ceremony we write is built from scratch. I’ll spend hours getting to know you - your story, your tone, your vibe. Are you romantic or irreverent? Do you want tears, laughs, or a bit of both? Do you want to involve your kids, your pets, your mates, or your mum’s favourite poem? Done. This is your ceremony, your way. No fluff. No fluffing it.

We walk our talk.

Humanism isn’t just a badge we wear: it’s a way of seeing the world. We believe in kindness, equality, compassion, and living life to the full in the here and now. That shows up in how we work with people, how we hold space on the day, and how we honour every single life we’re asked to celebrate. We don't just talk the talk: we celebrants pay a portion of our fee from every celebration of life we conduct back to the society to support their human rights work, public education, legal challenges, and Scotland-wide community initiatives. And when you pay a celebrant’s fee, you're not just booking your day. You're investing in:

1. A well-trained, legally recognised celebrant,

2. A ceremony backed by insurance and reliability,

3. Essential administrative and logistical support, and

4. A charitable organisation working for secular rights and inclusion in Scotland.

So yes, there are other celebrants out there - some great ones too. But if you want a ceremony that’s deeply personal, grounded in human connection, and delivered by someone who’s trained, passionate, and not afraid to laugh (or cry) with you, then an HSS celebrant might just be the best decision you make. You’ll not only get a ceremony that’s full of heart: you’ll be supporting a movement that’s working quietly and determinedly to make the world a kinder, fairer place.

And if you’re after one with sheep in her garden, golden retrievers at her feet, and a boat on the west coast just begging to host a wedding - well, you know where to find me.