Ewan has been writing, conducting and generally having a brilliant time at non-religious wedding, partnership and vow renewal ceremonies since 2012, and he entirely loves it.

Trained and accredited by Humanists UK, he has conducted over 150 ceremonies in everything from sitting rooms to stately homes, woodlands to barns, abandoned chapels to Indian restaurants, grand hotels to campsites, the streets of York to the mountains of Switzerland.

He really takes a pride in:

• Getting to know his couples properly, as he believes that's what makes a heartwarming ceremony. His goal is for people to be asking how many years he has known the spouses-to-be by the time the wedding happens.
• Reflecting and celebrating what makes you you. LGBTQ+ weddings are a favourite; trans-inclusive language is a given.
• Discovering the little events in your love story that led to all the other wonderful things. The tiny moments that, if they'd gone differently, would have changed the outcome. These are the things that make life magical!
• Crafting words really thoughtfully so you are smiling at all the right moments. A ceremony can feel like a performance to others, and—let's be honest—it can be. But he will be sure to bring plenty of smiles, laughs, or tears to your eyes, too.
• Sharing in the excitement and nerves just before proceedings begin. That's always when he remembers what an honour it is to be going through this by your side.

He'll meet you (online, in person, by phone or whatever works) as many times as needed to get to know you properly, collect all your ideas and help you think through anything you might not have thought about. Where will each person stand? Who will operate the music? Has the drone got spare batteries? Do the people with the ceremonial swords know their cue? Will people be able to hear everything over the sound of the snow machine? Is the German translator in place?

(Yes, these are all real examples. The point is: big or small, event-of-the-year or quiet, lovely moment between two nervous people, there are always practicalities and Ewan has been through most of them.)

Then, he'll put everything together into a really detailed plan for everything that will be done and said. Once you've gone through that together, pulled it apart, made any changes you want and agreed on everything, he'll get writing properly. And then, of course, he'll turn up and conduct things on the day, both at your side and on your side at the big moment.

Ewan the Celebrant is a wedding celebrant based in York, North Yorkshire.

Photo credits: John Hope, Hamish Irvine, Bloom Weddings, Peter Welland, Furmoto Photography, Alpinphoto, Tux and Tales