Humanist wedding celebrant in Essex and beyond
I'm Sammy, a wedding celebrant accredited by Humanists UK. I'd love to hear about your plans, your story, and what kind of day you're dreaming up.
Sammy did a wonderful job at our wedding. Answering the questions she sent us was such a nice process for us both in the lead up to the big day, remembering the small every day moments and when we first met, not just those big milestones. It was all pulled together so thoughtfully. Thank you so much Sammy for telling our story!
Carly and Dom
March 2026Humanist Weddings
The dress, the decorations, the food, they all feel important, and they are. But for me the build-up to your wedding day should be a time to think about why you love each other, why you're making this commitment, even what irritates the hell out of you (but you love them so much you put up with it). What are your hopes for the future?
Because ultimately, once your big day is done, you have a marriage. I want your ceremony to feel like the highlight of the day, not a tick-box exercise to get to the party (although the party is important, of course!), and a real foundation for what comes next.
But it doesn't need to be super serious - my goal of every ceremony is to get you, and your guests, relaxed and laughing! Don't want gushy vows or the 'solemn moment' as you'd hear the Registrars say? Great. Want some lightness in the storytelling but the vows to be hopelessly romantic? Also great! It's about making your ceremony as you want it, and I won't stop until you have a script you are delighted with!
Whether it's a humanist wedding, a vow renewal, a civil partnership celebration, or you're getting married abroad, I'd love to hear about your plans.
A humanist celebrant-lead wedding is a great choice for people of all faiths and beliefs, particularly couples from different cultural backgrounds who want to weave culture into the day while keeping it non-religious.
Hello, I'm Sammy
So why me as your celebrant? I decided to train with Humanists UK because of my amazing experience of a celebrant led wedding and thought I could bring a little of that magic to other couples, as well as spreading the word on how joyful, unique and special a celebrant led wedding can be!
Outside of work you can find me running around after my toddler and badly behaved but very handsome Labrador, dancing and playing the saxophone (if you want your celebrant to whip out a saxophone mid-ceremony, it can be done!)
I love to travel and love a wedding with elements of different cultures, including bilingual ceremonies (I had one!), and am always keen that every ceremony I do is unique and personalised to you.
Prices
Weekday ceremony
£450
Monday to Friday
Weekend ceremony
£500
Saturday & Sunday
What you get
- Your bespoke ceremony, written from scratch
- An optional rehearsal
- A beautiful keepsake of your script
Frequently asked questions
Will my ceremony be legal?
Unfortunately, humanist ceremonies are not yet legal in England and Wales, though they are in Northern Ireland and Scotland, where they're hugely popular. You can read more about the campaign to change this on the Humanists UK website. Almost all of my couples have a short legal ceremony at a register office before or after their humanist wedding, and treat the two as completely separate days.
Can I combine a humanist ceremony with the legal one on the day?
I can't stand up there with the Registrar, but I can absolutely add a little humanist magic to your day. The most popular option is to have your humanist ceremony as the main wedding and make it legal shortly before or after. Another option is to weave a humanist element, like a handfasting, into the civil ceremony itself. Prices for the add-on are around £250.
How do I do the legal bit?
Look up weddings on your local council's website. The cheapest ceremonies (you and two witnesses, usually around £80) book up well in advance, so do this as soon as you have a date in mind. Honestly, treat it as a day out. We went for bottomless pizzas and a couple of childfree pints and it was great. It's a lovely low-pressure day for the two of you, without the weight of it being your actual wedding day.
Do you have to talk about humanism in the ceremony?
Not at all. I start every ceremony by saying I'm a celebrant accredited by Humanists UK. After that, it's entirely up to you, many couples don't mention it again. A humanist wedding is a brilliant choice for people of all faiths and beliefs, especially those from different cultural backgrounds who want to weave culture into their day while keeping it non-religious.
Are there hidden costs?
Absolutely not. All costs are agreed in advance and I don't add anything on top of the basic ceremony fee. The only exceptions: if your wedding is more than a 2-hour drive away I ask for mileage at 40p per mile for anything over that, and for accommodation if it's essential I stay over. We'll discuss it all up front so there are no surprises.
Do you do weddings abroad?
Absolutely, my own wedding was abroad! I just need plenty of notice and for you to contribute to my travel costs, which we'll agree well in advance.
Can I include my dog?
Yes you can! From experience though, I'd really recommend assigning one of your guests as the official dog sitter for the day (or guests in shifts!), it's surprisingly easy for them to get involved in the merriment. We'll also build a Plan A and a Plan B together so your dog can have a specific role, like bringing the rings, without any stress on the day.
Can I include my children, or children in my family?
Yes absolutely, and the dog advice doubles for kids! Even with very young babies who'll be with you most of the day, a wedding nanny can really help you and your guests relax during key moments. As a mum myself, I'll support you with anything we can think of. Having children involved in rituals like handfasting can be one of the loveliest parts of the day.
Do you do elopements?
Yes, and I'm a big elopement fan. It matters that you get married in a way that feels authentic to you, and if that's just the two of you, that's amazing.
Do you do vow renewals?
Yes absolutely, and everything I offer for weddings applies. Whether you're marking 5 years or 50, we'll build a ceremony that feels just as personal as a first wedding day.
Do we have to legally get married?
Not at all. If you'd rather skip the legal side, I usually refer to your ceremony as a 'ceremony of commitment', or whatever feels right to you. The day is yours to define.
Do you do LGBTQ+ weddings?
Yes, yes, and yes. LGBTQ+ rights are particularly important to my own values and beliefs, and all Humanist celebrants conduct weddings for couples of every identity and campaign actively for equal rights.