Are same sex marriage ceremonies different to those for straight couples?

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 came into force on Hogmanay 2014 making Scotland the 17th country in the world to legalise same sex marriages. After years of campaigning, Humanist Society Scotland is very proud and happy to be able to conduct legal weddings for gay and lesbian couples at last! Warmest congratulations to Scotland's first Mr and Mr (Joe and Malx) who were married by HSS Celebrant Ross Wright and to Scotland's first Mrs and Mrs (Gerrie and Susan):

I conducted my first legal same sex marriage not long after the law changed and the words 'proud and happy' don't go anywhere near to describing how wonderful it was to marry the lovely Elaine and Mary, pictured below at their Broomhall Castle wedding: 

(congratulations Mrs and Mrs Robb! Yay! How fabulous is it to be able to say Mrs and Mrs!)

One question I'm often asked is how same sex ceremonies are different to those for straight couples.... 

And the answer is simple: they aren't! In fact the only real difference is that when it comes to the legal declarations, I will of course pronounce you to be wife and wife or husband and husband! And I can tell you now that it'll be an honour, a privilege and a pleasure to do so!

As a Celebrant, I'm there to help you to celebrate your love for one another and I'm happy to marry you whether you're two girls, two guys or a girl and a guy!

So whether you're straight or gay, I'll be there to:

• Give you advice or information about Humanist ceremonies before you book, so that you choose the right ceremony for you as a couple
• Ensure that your booking is completed efficiently
• Provide you with whatever support you need in the planning stages of your wedding
• Meet with you to get to know you and to start planning your ceremony in detail
• Provide you with ideas and examples to help you to choose music, readings, vows and symbolic gestures (if you want to include any)
• Draft a ceremony for you so that you can make amendments and additions to it
• Help you through the legal procedures
• Give you my undivided attention on the big day
• Conduct the ceremony with professionalism, empathy, warmth and sincerity

So, to answer the question above, if you're a same sex couple, you can have whatever kind of ceremony you like! You can make it formal or informal, serious or fun, but above all it will be unique to you, reflecting who you are and what you care about in life. I'm there to help you at every stage and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

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