Sheona Read Humanist Celebrant

27/06/2024

Lovely words from Rebecca & Andrew, married at Mar Lodge earlier this month.

Photo by The Hoggs (formerly Aboyne Photographics)… check out their awesome new branding.

20/06/2024

Beautiful words from a beautiful couple - thank you for opening your hearts to me so that we could create your perfect elopement ceremony 🤍

19/06/2024

🤍 M & S 🤍

Dreamers | Adventurers | Romantics

After exploring Scotland together in their camper van, Max & Shannon arrived at the perfect place for their elopement ceremony - Linn O’ Quoich, on the Mar Lodge Estate.

For them marriage means openly declaring that they choose one another, demonstrating their commitment to share in both the good and bad times, and celebrating their love. They chose to do this in an intimate and personal ceremony… a romantic adventure, just for them.

And so, beside the cascading waters of the Cairngorms, they promised to stand beside one another always. They committed to share in all that the future may bring. And they became husband and wife.

Even the raindrops couldn’t dampen their spirits. The smiles say it all.

Thanks to Catriona Parmenter for capturing the essence of their day so beautifully.

Elopement planner - Wild Scottish Weddings
Photographer - Catriona Parmenter Photography
Location - Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve NTS
Florist - Hays Flowers
Hair & MUA - Jacqui Poskitt Millionhairs
Picnic -

Humanist Society Scotland Ceremonies

14/06/2024

Rebecca & Andrew’s wedding in the Cairngorms, captured beautifully by Aboyne Photographics - Laura & Russell Hogg

14/06/2024

You guys 🥰

Thanks to C & S for these lovely words following their ceremony at Migvie Kirk earlier this month.

10/06/2024

Reading from Saturday’s wedding… just perfect given how close the venue was to the River Dee 🌊

09/06/2024

🤍 R & A 🤍

What a day! Rebecca and Andrew love spending time together outdoors in nature, come rain or shine. And we certainly had both on Saturday, as we gathered together with their friends, family and Best Dog Roger at Mar Lodge for their incredible wedding in the Cairngorms.

The brollies were up, down and up again throughout the ceremony, so huge thanks to everyone for braving the elements to give this lovely couple the outdoor ceremony they had so very much hoped for!

Thanks to the incredible staff at Mar Lodge for working so hard to make it happen, and to Ben & Fiona from the Apollos for being so flexible with a last minute change of plan for the signing.

Infinitely better photos to follow from the wonderful Russell & Laura at Aboyne Photographics!

Venue - Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve NTS
Photographers - Aboyne Photographics - Laura & Russell Hogg
Piper - Tay Piping
Live duet - The Apollos
Florist - coo hill studio

06/06/2024

04/06/2024

🤍 C & S 🤍

This lovely couple are passionate about Scottish history and heritage, and it was on one of their random, unplanned Pictish Stone hunts back in 2017 that they first stumbled across this place - Migvie Kirk.

Nestled within the Tillypronie Estate, Migvie is a deconsecrated church and home to the Migvie Stone, a beautifully carved Pictish cross slab. C & S instantly fell in love with the kirk, the surrounding landscape, the sense of peace and serenity. Unbeknown to the other, they both thought it would be the ideal place for a wedding.

It would take another 7 years for that to become a reality… but on Sunday - together with their closest family and gorgeous cockapoo - C & S finally tied the knot in the very place that sparked their shared dream all those years ago.

The wonderful Paul Anderson played the fiddle for us, candles burned brightly in memory of loved ones, and the sun shone down across the Howe O’ Cromar.

Official photos to follow from the talented Jennifer Riddell Photography

27/04/2024

Had a call with a lovely couple last night about their wedding in the Cairngorms next summer.

We chatted about all sorts, including our mutual love of wild swimming. Realised how long it’s been since I’ve been in the river… I’ve been waiting for the weather to get a bit warmer, but I’m losing hope for that!

So this morning in I went… it was blumin’ freezing, and blumin’ wonderful! Thanks for reminding me to do the things I love, G&C 🏊🏻‍♀️ 🌊

12/03/2024

🤍 R & S 🤍

Wonderful day captured beautifully by Deeside Photographics

11/03/2024

🤍 R & S 🤍

First wedding of 2024 was an intimate ceremony in the beautiful Library at Douneside House, the couple surrounded by their children and closest family.

There was happiness, laughter, tears, and a whole lot of LOVE!

20/02/2024

Looking to include your nearest and dearest in your wedding ceremony? Check out our latest blog post for some ideas to help with your planning.

Involving friends and family in your humanist ceremony can be a great way to make things even more personalised and meaningful. So, whether you are looking to shout out a special friend, include your children in the ceremony or honour a loved one who is no longer with us, we’ve got some ideas to get you started.

Follow this link to read it, https://buff.ly/4843veN

📸Ryan White Photographyy

14/02/2024

When your little sister is still your one true love 💘 Happy Valentine’s Day. To love, in all its forms.

07/02/2024

One of the most special things about your wedding day is sharing it with your nearest and dearest. Here are some ideas for involving friends and family in your humanist ceremony.

19/01/2024

It’s nearly here...Your Wedding Exhibition 2024 is this weekend, Sat 20th and Sun 21st January at P&J Live Aberdeen.

The two-day show hosts more than 150 wedding suppliers so it’s your opportunity to get all the advice and inspiration you need all under one roof.

We’ve got lots of celebrants who can’t wait to meet you for a chat all about humanist ceremonies! Come and say hello to

Sheona Read Humanist Celebrant
Humanist Celebrant Brenda
Denise Morton, Humanist Celebrant
Janet Donnelly Humanist Celebrant
Georgia Brooker Humanist Celebrant
Humanist Celebrant Colette - Angus and Aberdeenshire Ceremonies
Humanist Celebrant Angela Johnson
Lesley Yule Humanist Celebrant

In the meantime you can find out more about them on their celebrant profiles here https://buff.ly/3MXesY4



Book your ticket now >> https://buff.ly/4aUwR1T
Your Wedding Exhibition | P&J Live | Grampian Wedding Directory

17/01/2024

16/01/2024

My heart is in the Highlands 🤍

13/01/2024

One week to go until Your Wedding Exhibition! I will be on Stand B5 along with fellow HSS celebrants, ready to chat all things Humanist Ceremonies. Come to say hi and find out how we can support you in creating a personal and meaningful wedding ceremony that’s just as you would like it to be 💕 💍

Humanist Society Scotland Ceremonies

Be part of North East Scotlands Biggest Wedding Exhibition. Your Wedding Exhibition is second only to the event at the SECC for weddings in Scotland and is by far the biggest event for the brides in the North of Scotland

01/01/2024

Happy New Year! Sending best wishes for 2024 to you and yours!

To all my 2024 couples booked in for weddings, you can now say you’re getting married this year 🎉 I am so excited to work with you to create your ceremony and help you to celebrate your big day, your way.

To couples that got engaged over the festive period - congratulations!! 🥂 I’d be delighted to talk all things humanist weddings with you, so drop me a line!

13/11/2023

Fellow Aberdeenshire Humanist Society Scotland celebrants Janet Donnelly Humanist Celebrant and Georgia Brooker will be at the Pittodrie House wedding fair this coming weekend. Pop by to say hello and find out how we can support you in preparing your perfect wedding ceremony!

06/11/2023

I’m now fully authorised to conduct wedding & civil partnership ceremonies with !

The best thing about humanist wedding and civil partnership ceremonies is that they are all about you and can be conducted pretty much anywhere.

As your celebrant, I’ll work alongside you to create a bespoke ceremony that is unique, personal and reflective of you as a couple. I can provide guidance and info about readings, symbolic gestures and vows, but ultimately it’s all your choice and creativity is encouraged!

So whether you’re planning a formal ceremony in a large venue, a celebration in a village hall, or an elopement or micro-wedding in the hills, beside a loch or on a beach, I’d be delighted to hear from you!

20/10/2023

11 years ago today, I married my best friend… outside in the sunshine, surrounded by all of the colours of Autumn 🍂

Since then, we’ve stood by each other through everything and I know we always will. He’s supported me in all of life’s big decisions… not least in changing my career to train as a Humanist Celebrant, which was in no small part inspired by our own humanist wedding. Whenever I doubt myself (more times than I care to admit), he’s always there to remind me that I can do anything I set my mind on.

He’s also been remarkably relaxed about me ‘marrying’ several other people as part of my training… not something to be concerned about, I hope!

11/09/2023

I’ve been quiet on here lately. But I’ve been busy behind the scenes 🐿️ Writing ceremonies, observing ceremonies, and learning so much from all of the wonderful Humanist Society Scotland celebrants in my local area. And on my days off, I’ve been making time to get out in nature and breathe 🌲

08/08/2023

Starting to turn my thoughts to my upcoming wedding and civil partnership training.

These little books from Andrew Copson and Alice Roberts are a great introduction to all things humanism.

So excited to be starting this next phase of my celebrant training, although my head still can’t quite get around the idea that I actually get to do this and play a role in couples’ special days. What an immense privilege 💕

31/07/2023

Proud to be part of such a wonderful group of celebrants with Humanist Society Scotland

Monday - introducing some of our shiniest, newest celebrants, embarking on their celebrant journeys. This lovely lot are now qualified to conduct naming and welcoming ceremonies. Show them some love!

Clockwise from bottom left -

Sheona Read Humanist Celebrant
Jamie Innes Humanist Celebrant
Heather McArthur
John Paul Fitzpatrick Humanist Celebrant
Catherine Simpson
Ian McLean Humanist Celebrant

You can find out more about each of them here - https://portal.humanism.scot/celebrant-search/

And if you're considering a naming and welcoming ceremony, you can read more about them here - https://www.humanism.scot/ceremonies/humanist-naming-ceremonies/

02/07/2023

What’s in a name?

The names we are given become part of us and define - to an extent - our unique identity.

Our daughter’s name is Florence, meaning flowering, flourishing, blooming, prosperous.

We liked it because it has roots in my family history, and for its flexibility - she can be Florence, Florrie, Flor, Flo, Floz. At the moment we call her a mixture of all of these; one day she will choose for herself what she prefers. It’s a name that can change with her as she grows and develops.

At the moment, she pays great attention to flowers on our walks, and usually picks a few to bring home to put in a jar on our doorstep. I love this simple activity and its gentle nod to her name 🌼

What’s your name and the meaning behind it?

29/06/2023

Throwback to our son’s naming ceremony in 2017!

The wonderful Annalese McDermott HSS Registered Humanist Celebrant led a beautiful ceremony for us in the Restoration Yard at Dalkeith Country Park to celebrate Ellis’ arrival with our family and friends. We shared our story of becoming parents and tales of our son’s first six months. My husband read ‘Follow Your Dreams’ by Jim Boswell, conveying our hopes and wishes for the future.

We made promises, which almost 6 years later still guide our parenting. Two of our close friends were invited to become Guide Parents - recognising and celebrating the important role they play in Ellis’ life as he grows and develops.

After the ceremony, we scoffed cake and mince pies! Everyone added their fingerprints and names to an art print, which still hangs in Ellis’ bedroom today.

Such fond memories, I’m so glad we did it!

16/06/2023