What’s the difference between a Humanist celebrant and an Independent celebrant?

Just married

All Humanist celebrants have all been trained by Humanists UK to the same high standards. Humanist celebrants are non-religious; I like to think of us as ‘extra’ atheists! While we don’t believe in any supernatural power, we do believe that our fellow humans are capable of making good decisions, and that science and reason help us to understand the world we live in. We are also part of a network, so if I get hit by a bus the day before your wedding, one of my colleagues will step in! 

Independent celebrants are, as their name suggests, not usually part of a network. They might be Pagan, Christian, New Age or agnostic, and so they might be able to incorporate your religious beliefs into your ceremony or lead an act of worship. 

While Humanist celebrants are not religious, we are happy to welcome people of other beliefs into our ceremonies. You won’t find us leading prayers, but we can make room for somebody else to do a reading or for quiet reflection during a ceremony. 

If it is important to you to be married by someone who shares your religious belief, then an Independent celebrant might be for you. If you are non-religious, or you are a couple of differing faiths, a Humanist celebrant might be able to incorporate aspects of your mutual beliefs to create a ceremony with room for both of you.