A Triumph for Equality

The Humanist Society Scotland has actively campaigned in support of the Bill to legalise same-sex marriage in Scotland.

Yesterday was a historic day as legislation to introduce same-sex marriage in Scotland was approved in principle by parliament. The Scottish government's Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill passed the first of three parliamentary hurdles by 98 votes to 15 with five abstentions. 

Follow the links below for more on this landmark event:

http://www.humanism-scotland.org.uk/news/in_the_news/same-sex-marriage-backed-in-principle-by-scottish-parliament/

http://www.humanism-scotland.org.uk/news/in_the_news/a-triumph-for-freedom-and-fairness-in-scotland/ 

Lindsay and Eddie's Wedding at Duddingston Golf Club

Lindsay and Eddie first met at work, and bonded over a mutual love of comic books and Star Trek!  When I first met them we had such a good laugh I knew their wedding was going to be brilliant!

Lindsay was a stunning bride as she made her entrance with her dad Malcolm, accompanied by Eddie's friend Danny playing Pachelbel's Canon on classical guitar.

Lindsay and Eddie 'Tied The Knot' with a tartan ribbon from Lindsay's side of the family and a blue ribbon representing Eddie's Italian heritage. 

Lindsay's mum Pat read a beautiful excerpt from 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' by Louis de Bernieres.

Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion………..That is just being ‘in love’, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away…… roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom has fallen from your branches you find that you are one tree and not two.

At the end of the ceremony, we all enjoyed singing along to  'All You Need Is Love' by The Beatles, performed by Danny on guitar, Lindsay's brother Calum on ukulele and friends Tam and Kyle singing!

Thank you Lindsay and Eddie for these fantastic photos that perfectly capture your big day!

“Fiona, I just wanted to say thank you for marrying Eddie and I in September! You really made our day and everyone kept saying how lovely and also how intimate the ceremony was. I think everyone really felt a part of our big day and that's what we wanted.”

What's so special about a Humanist wedding?

Click on the video below for a sneak preview of a one-minute trailer for our new film, "What's So Special About A Humanist Wedding", which we'll be premiering at the prestigious Luxury Wedding Show to be held at The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh on Sunday 19th January 2014!

  What's so special about a Humanist wedding? from Humanist Society Scotland on Vimeo.

It's also on the HSS facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/HumanistSocietyScotland 
 

Anna and Shaun's Wedding at The Minto Hotel

The Minto Hotel, a traditional Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh provided the perfect backdrop for Anna and Shaun's wedding. The ceremony took place in the hotel's beautiful private garden with the sound of running water and a string quartet adding to the calm and elegant atmosphere.

Hey you two, I said calm and elegant!

Anna and Shaun told me that soon after they met they went on holiday together to Turkey, and while they were there, after having a couple of drinks one night they decided to get tattoos of each others names. This was something they did not tell their families......until I revealed it at the wedding that is!

Anna’s brother Martin, and Shaun’s brother Darren filled a Quaich with whisky to represent the joining of their two families. By drinking from the same cup, Anna and Shaun symbolised their commitment to share all that the future may bring.

Although by the look on Anna's face perhaps whisky wasn't the best choice of drink!

A marriage makes two fractional lives a whole; It gives two purposeless lives a work and doubles the strength of each to perform it. It gives two questioning natures a reason for living and something to live for. It will give new gladness to the sunshine, a new fragrance to the flowers, a new beauty to the earth and a new mystery to life.

(Mark Twain)

A big thank you to Anna and Shaun for sharing these terrific photos by by Kris at Soul Photography and for this note from Anna: 

"Hi Fiona. What we liked about the ceremony was that it was personal and appropriate to us. It was relaxed and fun. We liked how everyone laughed when the story about us getting the tattoos of each others names came out - as our families didn't know it was quite funny to come out in that way! Also drinking from the Quaich was great. It was nice to do something different and unique. I didn't enjoy the whisky at all but Shaun certainly did! We have had great comments from our friends and family saying how it was the best wedding ceremony they had ever been to. The ceremony really was outstanding thanks to you."