“We’re getting married on the above date and are definitely looking for a photographer who will document the day and not a photoshoot (though a short shoot might be necessary for grandparents’ sakes!). The wedding is all outdoors at my parents’ house, with a humanist ceremony in the garden (straw bales, lots of flowers and friends playing the music) then the reception is in their field in big teepees with a very relaxed, sharing food vibe with lots of tea lights, homemade bunting and friends doing DJ sets. “

I very much liked the sound of this wedding enquiry so was delighted when Amy and Ali booked me for their wedding in Stokesley, North Yorkshire. The wedding featured an outdoor Humanist wedding ceremony and the reception in a Teepee. Amy’s mum, Caroline, had made the cake, sorted the decorations and made most of the bridesmaids dresses. A lot of the wedding was homemade which gave it a lovely feel.

What is a Humanist wedding ?

What is a Humanist wedding? In a nutshell it is a non religious wedding ceremony that can take place anywhere and incorporate elements that are personal to you.  The British Humanist Society describe a Humanist wedding as “your wedding, your way”, “wouldn’t it be great to start your married life with a ceremony that really means something? To tell your family and friends what your relationship means to you and why you are getting married?”

Humanist weddings are more flexible and personal than a civil ceremony which has to follow a prescribed format. One of the big advantages to a Humanist wedding is it can take place anywhere, so you can marry in a place than means something to you. In England and Wales (but not Scotland) Humanist weddings are not recognised by law, so most couples chose to take care of the legal formalities at a register office. Unlike a civil ceremony, there is no formal script which allows you to write your own words and make the wedding your own. A celebrant from the Humanist society conducts the ceremony, which is all very relaxed.

A Humanist celebrant conducts the ceremony, they will get to know you beforehand so they can include personal details in your ceremony. You can have unique vows along with readings and poems as well as including any rituals you would like. It really is a designer wedding ceremony exactly how you would like it.

How does a Humanist wedding differ from a civil wedding ceremony?

A civil wedding ceremony (a non religious ceremony conducted by a registrar)  has to follow a legally set framework and take place either in a registered building or as of July 2021 outdoors at an approved venue. There is little flexibility in the ceremony other than having readings.  In comparison a Humanist ceremony although not legally binding in England and Wales is free from these restrictions and can take place anywhere you chose and follow any format you would like. You will still need to visit a register office to complete the legal requirements with two witnesses, there is no need to exchange rings at this point and all you have to do is say the legally required words and sign the marriage document (which as of 2021 is just one piece of A4 paper and replaces signing the register). The Humanist ceremony is then your actual wedding and the time to exchange rings, free from all legal restrictions.

Amy and Alastair’s wedding

I arrived to photograph Amy getting ready with the bridesmaids at her parents house (the location for the entire wedding), which was just above the North York Moors and about ten miles south of Middlesbrough. I have made the trip up to north Yorkshire three times this year for weddings, it’s a beautiful part of the country.  After taking photographs of Amy and the bridesmaids I photographed Alastair’s arrival with the ushers and best men. Ali is a playwright (Alastair McDowall), tipped as “England’s most exciting new playwright to emerge in the last five years”.

The wedding guests arrived and took seats on straw bales arranged in rows in the garden and covered with blankets, this was by far the most relaxed wedding ceremony I had seen out of the 600 weddings I have photographed. Ali and his two best men, Andrew & Clive, took their places stood at the front waiting for the arrival of the bride and her father. The Humanist ceremony was very personal to Amy and Ali.

After the ceremony the guests were served home made cakes (made by friends and family) along with a selection of summer drinks. The weather was perfect for a garden party.

Later in the afternoon guests took their seats in the Teepee for the wedding breakfast and speeches.  This was followed by lighting the fire in the Teepee which created a warm and cozy atmosphere. My coverage ended with the first dance.