· JEAN BARRETT QUINN ·
· HUMANIST WEDDING CELEBRANT ·
© The Lous
FAQ WITH JBQ!
ABOUT THE CEREMONY
WHAT IS A HUMANIST WEDDING CEREMONY?
A Humanist wedding ceremony is a personal, bespoke, legal and non-religious ceremony. It celebrates the decision you have made to choose each other for the rest of your lives! If you want to have the option to choose how you want to get married and be involved in the creation of your ceremony; a Humanist wedding ceremony is the way to do this. Humanist ceremonies are inclusive, joyful and utterly hand-crafted which deeply reflect your personal beliefs and values. It is more than a personalised ceremony though; it is a ceremony that celebrates the values of equality, individuality and the mutual respect that underpins a relationship. It is your opportunity to celebrate love, create authentic impact, meaning and inclusion in your wedding day. It will be a lot of fun while still acknowledging the serious side of getting married!
DO WE HAVE TO GET MARRIED AT A PARTICULAR TIME OR DAY?
Choosing a Humanist wedding ceremony gives you the freedom to choose to get married at any time of the day or night on any day of the week! Fancy a romantic ceremony by candle light, a bright and bubbly lunchtime celebration or exchanging vows as the sun rises? All of these options are available.
WHAT IS THE QUAICH SYMBOLIC ACTION?
The Quaich is a traditional Scottish two handled drinking cup. Sharing a cup was a sign of trust between the people drinking from it - because it is offered and taken with both hands; the drinker could not hold a weapon at the same time and the sharing of the drink was also a guarantee that it hadn't been poisoned! The Quaich is also known as the ‘Love cup’ or the 'The Cup of Welcome'. Drinking from it symbolises the couple sharing their lives together. The couple pour whatever tipple they choose into the Quaich and they may find the sweet being sweeter because they drink it together, and whatever bitterness it might contain being less bitter as they’ll never have to face it alone.
CAN WE AND OUR GUESTS DRINK ALCOHOL DURING OUR LEGAL CEREMONY?
No I’m afraid not pals. Not to be a ‘Negative Nancy’ yet folks, think about it, if you’re about to take part in THE BEST CEREMONY ever and entering into a long term commitment with your bestie, you want to be clear headed. PLUS it’s legally binding, so no shots during the ceremony. Your witnesses to the legal part of the ceremony cannot be inebriated either so it’s best just to hang fire on the sips until after the ceremony. However, if you’re talking symbolism there is a lovely Scottish symbolic ritual that does involve alcohol but in a meaningful way.
WE ARE A SAME SEX COUPLE CAN YOU LEGALLY MARRY US?
Just you try and stop me!!! Yes, indeed I can legally marry you. This is a safe space. I am safe person and you never need to ‘out’ yourself, or how you identify as a couple.
CAN WE INCLUDE OUR DOG IN THE CEREMONY?
Dog, cat, alpaca, pigeon; if your pet is important to you then they are important to me. Just make sure you check with your venue that they allow pets and do a little risk assessment considering whether your little furry or fluffy pal can cope with all the excitement. I discourage any kind of dove or bird release as part of a ceremony.
WE LIVE OVERSEAS BUT WILL BE RETURNING TO NORTHERN IRELAND FOR OUR WEDDING. CAN WE WORK TOGETHER FROM A DISTANCE.
Most definitely! Many couples I work with live abroad so it is not usually possible to meet face to face until the day before the wedding or in fact, the day of! This is never a problem as we build a relationship and collaborate via video calling, emails and messages in the months before the wedding.
WE ARE HOPING TO ELOPE. CAN YOU HELP?
Yes I can indeed! We are so fortunate to have so many areas of outstanding natural beauty in Northern Ireland. From cliffs, mountains, beaches and forests, you will be spoiled for choice selecting where you will get married. It can be legally binding on the day if you submit the correct paperwork within the timeframe required and you will need two witnesses to attend the ceremony.
ABOUT THE LEGAL STUFF
ARE HUMANIST WEDDING CEREMONIES LEGALLY RECOGNISED?
Yes my loves! Humanist wedding ceremonies gained legal status in Northern Ireland in 2018 so your ceremony will be legally binding on the day. Although you cannot have a legal Humanist wedding ceremony in England or Wales yet, your legal ceremony in Northern Ireland is globally recognised.
WHO CAN SIGN MY MARRIAGE SCHEDULE?
You need two witnesses to sign your Marriage Schedule and they must be over 16. Choose intentionally. Don’t just choose your Best Man or Chief Bridesmaid just ‘because’! Would it mean a lot to your Nanna, your mum or your favourite cousin?
WHERE CAN I HAVE A LEGAL HUMANIST WEDDING CEREMONY?
You can have a legal Humanist Wedding Ceremony almost anywhere. In your back garden, on the beach, your favourite restaurant or cinema, and of course the plethora of stunning venues in Northern Ireland. You cannot have a legal Humanist Wedding Ceremony in a place of worship or council building (like a town or City Hall).
© SignaturePhotography.ie
ABOUT US
I'M WORRIED ABOUT CRYING DURING OUR VOWS, HELP!
Top Tip: Sprinkle some humour in there! Vows do not have to be serious and boring! Coz maaaaan life is not serious and boring (only some of the time!) Not only will a little bit of humour make your partner and guests chuckle, it will allow you to BREATHE, to pace yourself and relax.
Not sure how? Well, well, well aren’t you glad you stopped to read this? I adore helping couples craft the perfect vows and delight watching them deliver surprise promises to one another confidently on the day. And when they are read from a beautiful, bespoke vow book crafted by my fair hand all the better! (Shameless plug!) If we are already working together, huzzah, let’s chat about it soon! If not pop your deets in my contact form.
OUR STORY ISN'T CONVENTIONAL OR 'LOVEY DOVEY' CAN OUR CEREMONY BE TAILORED TO US?
Abso-frickin-lutely! Every ceremony, like every couple, is unique! I will work with you to ensure your ceremony is a reflection of who you are and an experience you will enjoy! Whether your love language is sarcasm and banter, coffee in bed on a Sunday morning or sending each other Ben Affleck memes, I got you.
WE WANT OUR GUESTS TO HAVE FUN! HOW CAN WE DO THIS?
Get your wedding party or in other words your ‘hype crew’ involved. I always encourage laughter, cheering and clapping (if my couple are happy with that!). Once the first laugh happens, shoulders drop and guests realise they have ‘permission’ to relax. Encourage your wedding party to help your guests engage. But ultimately when your ceremony is focused on your love story, your guests can’t but have a good time!
I FEEL LIKE I MIGHT FREEZE AT THE TOP OF THE AISLE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!
Let’s talk about formality, unnecessary propriety, the word ‘should’ and anything else that can get in the bin when it comes to YOUR CEREMONY! There are sooooo many I could talk about yet let’s start at the very beginning (I hear it’s a very good place to start!) So often couples can get a little overwhelmed at the beginning of a ceremony or have been led to believe it’s not ‘appropriate’ to hug or kiss as their ceremony begins. Fam, you do you; whatever you need to do to feel grounded, calm and connected with your partner, please please PLEASE do! And here, if that’s a simple fist bump or side eye, I’m here for it too!
ABOUT JEAN
WHAT KIND OF ENERGY WILL YOU BRING?
Choosing me as your celebrant means I will always bring the energy and positive vibes you deserve. I will make sure that your voices are the ones heard, the ones that matter above all else and your story is told, your way. Sometimes there can be a lot of words like ‘should’ and ‘traditional’ when planning a wedding which can be hard to process. Always remember that I am your biggest cheerleader and will always and forever support and encourage whatever and however you want to celebrate your love.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED DURING THE VOWS?
I will be out of the way! This is a moment for the two of you to share. I will be close by but out of shot so you can be in your own little bubble of lurve for those few moments. The same applies to any big moment during the ceremony, like first kisses or pronouncements I’ll scoot my little butt out of picture!
ABOUT SUPPLIERS
© SignaturePhotgraphy.ie
© Tiffany Gage Photography
© Steven Hanna Photogrpahy
DO YOU PROVIDE PRINT OUTS FOR OUR VOWS OR READINGS?
Oh friends, I can print them of course but I can offer you so much more in the shape of Vow, Reading or Story booklets for my gorgeously, delicious couples. (Some are an additional extra) I use luxurious cardstock that has been hand embossed and letter pressed by the equally luxurious Grania of Ink and Paper London. Your beautiful words are then printed onto textured, uncoated 120gsm paper that is FSC certified. The paper is cut and saddled stitched by my fair hand. It is then finished using the lightest, softest and most dreamy silk ribbon hand dyed by the equally dreamy Laura at Betty Williamson Ribbon
Indulgent? Yes.
Functional? Yes.
Beautiful? Always.
Forever keepsakes of day of core memories filled with celebration, joy, promise and love.
CAN YOU RECOMMENT OTHER SUPPLIERS TO HELP BUILD OUR DREAM WEDDING SQUAD?
Why yes I can! Having married over 200 couples, I’ve worked with so many excellent wedding suppliers. We are so lucky in Northern Ireland to have so many talented wedding suppliers which in am happy to recommend. Or check out my suppliers list. I will only recommend suppliers that I have worked with and are LGBTQIA inclusive.
ABOUT BOOKING
HOW DO WE BOOK?
In the words of The Four Tops….’Darlin’ reach ouuuuut!’First, nice one for considering a humanist wedding ceremony, you star! Now when you’ve finished reading this, please hop onto my contact form and get in touch! If I’m available on your date, I’ll pop you my handy wee Info Pack which includes helpful information about what a Humanist Wedding Ceremony actually is, why you may consider having one and prices. After you have checked out the deets, if you are ready to plan the most awesome, incredible, meaningful, inclusive and joyful wedding ceremony ever, YOUR wedding ceremony; I would love to have a wee chat to learn a bit more about you both, about your ceremony, talk through your vision for the day and see if we’re the right fit for each other via video call! I can only confirm a date following an introductory call and once the 50% booking fee is paid and contract signed.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK?
As soon as feels right for you and following an introductory call.
