When planning a wedding in Scotland, one of the first questions couples often ask is: “What’s the difference between a humanist celebrant and an independent celebrant?”
It’s a really important distinction, and knowing the difference can help you choose the right fit for your ceremony.
Humanist Celebrants
Humanist celebrants are part of a recognised organisation (such as Humanist Society Scotland). They’re authorised to conduct legal marriages, which means your wedding ceremony and your legal paperwork can happen at the same time. Their ceremonies are non-religious and follow a humanist ethos, focusing on love, respect, and equality.
Independent Celebrants
Independent celebrants, on the other hand, aren’t tied to a particular belief system or framework. That means your ceremony can be completely unique and personal to you. Whether you want to include humour, poetry, handfasting, nods to your heritage, or even a favourite song lyric. Independent celebrants can create a ceremony that reflects you, without restriction.
The one key difference is legal status: independent celebrants in Scotland don’t currently have the authority to conduct legal marriages. Couples who choose an independent celebrant usually take care of the legal paperwork at a registry office either before or after the wedding.
Why Milestone Days chose to be an independent celebrant?
Karen Slupinski explains:
“When I first explored celebrant training, I looked at many different routes. In fact, knowing it was the only option to legally marry people in Scotland, I applied to become a humanist with The Humanist Scotland and made it through the demanding selection process to the interview stage.
Part of the process involved working through fictional scenarios to test how I might respond as a Humanist celebrant. One of these has stayed with me ever since.
The scenario was heartbreaking: a teenage boy had died, and his mother found comfort in spending long hours at the funeral home with him. The kind funeral director had shared some hymns and Bible readings, which gave her solace. She wanted those included in her son’s ceremony.
Here’s where the dilemma came in: as a Humanist celebrant, I would not be allowed to include religious content. Yet, as I pictured myself standing with that grieving mother, I knew what mattered wasn’t my beliefs – it was hers.
In that moment, I realised that if this mattered to her, it should matter to me.
That’s when everything became clear. My background as a professional coach has always taught me to “listen from empty”. To show up fully for the person in front of me, without pushing my own agenda. I couldn’t reconcile that with the restrictions of Humanist practice.
So, I stepped away and chose a different path with The Academy of Modern Celebrancy. Becoming an independent celebrant allows me to honour each family, each couple, and each individual exactly as they are, with no limits on what can be included in their ceremony.
There’s no “right” or “wrong” approach, but this is the one that feels true to me.”
For Karen, choosing to become an independent celebrant wasn’t simply about a career path, it was about aligning with her values. Independence means she can meet every couple or family exactly where they are, creating ceremonies that reflect their beliefs, stories, and wishes, without limitation.
Every milestone in life is unique. And Karen believes every ceremony should be too.
Get in touch
If you’re planning a wedding, vow renewal, or another life celebration in Scotland and want a ceremony that feels truly personal, Karen would love to hear from you. You can reach out for a friendly, no-obligation chat to explore how she can help craft a day that feels authentic, meaningful, and unforgettable.
