A fun reading for your Humanist Wedding

Couples are often looking for readings and poems that are a little different, sometimes with a bit of humour in them. It's all about finding something that reflects your own personalities and if you are both quite laidback with a sense of humour, then why can't your ceremony be the same!

I love this one about two Dinosaurs falling in love. I've seen it done a few times now, and it works best when read by a man and women each reading the 'girl' and 'boy' parts. I've also seen it done with props!

"A Lovely Love Story" by Edward Monkton

The fierce Dinosaur was trapped inside his cage of ice. Although it was cold he was happy in there. It was, after all, his cage. Then along came the Lovely Other Dinosaur. The Lovely Other Dinosaur melted the Dinosaur’s cage with kind words and loving thoughts.


I like this Dinosaur thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. Although he is fierce he is also tender and he is funny. He is also quite clever though I will not tell him this for now.

I like this Lovely Other Dinosaur, thought the Dinosaur. She is beautiful and she is different and she smells so nice. She is also a free spirit which is a quality I much admire in a dinosaur.

But he can be so distant and so peculiar at times, thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. He is also overly fond of things. Are all Dinosaurs so overly fond of things? 

But her mind skips from here to there so quickly thought the Dinosaur. She is also uncommonly keen on shopping. Are all Lovely Other Dinosaurs so uncommonly keen on shopping? 

I will forgive his peculiarity and his concern for things, thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. For they are part of what makes him a richly charactered individual.

I will forgive her skipping mind and her fondness for shopping, thought the Dinosaur. For she fills our life with beautiful thoughts and wonderful surprises. Besides, I am not unkeen on shopping either.

Now the Dinosaur and the Lovely Other Dinosaur are old. Look at them. Together they stand on the hill telling each other stories and feeling the warmth of the sun on their backs.

And that, my friends, is how it is with love. Let us all be Dinosaurs and Lovely Other Dinosaurs together.

For the sun is warm. And the world is a beautiful place.

Shieldhill Castle Hotel - our venue

Back in 2007 my husband and I got married on a beautiful September day at Shieldhill Castle in Biggar. Sadly the venue closed around 18 months later and we were disappointed not to have had a chance to return.

So we were thrilled when it reopened its doors in Spring 2012 and we took the opportunity to book back into the honeymoon suite for our 5th anniversary. It was fantastic to go back - we looked inside the chapel room where we'd had our Humanist ceremony, conducted by Tim Maguire, and stood in the spot where we'd had our first dance.

It felt a little indulgent, but when an offer came up on one of the discount sites to go back again for a DB&B deal, we grabbed it, and went back this past weekend. This time we took our 19month old daughter, Ailsa. While she's of course too young to appreciate it all, it was nice to be able to take her there and she had great fun taking her dolly for a walk in the grounds.

I must admit, it would be lovely to return as a celebrant and conduct someone else's wedding in this wonderful place that has such a special meaning for me... one day hopefully!

MacDonald Cardrona Hotel

Spring may be a little late this year, but the wedding season is already in full throw, and I was delighted to head down to Peebles on Saturday to conduct Claire and Gareth's wedding at the Cardrona Hotel. 

It's a lovely setting, with beautiful views out across the golf course towards the hills. There had been some snow and patches of it were scattered across the dunes and up the slopes which just made the view stunning.

It was an emotional ceremony - the groom was doing pretty well until the bride walked down the aisle with happy tears in her eyes. But they both did a fantastic job and gave their personal vows to each other before being declared Husband and Wife. 

They had also chosen to include the symbolic gesture of the Quaich in their ceremony. If you're not familiar with this, it's a Scottish two-handled silver dish shaped drinking bowl. It's know as the Scottish Cup of Friendship as you need to use both hands to hold it, which means you can't be hiding anything behind your back. This was used by Clansmen of the past to share a drink with another Clan and make a gesture of friendship and trust. Not bad sentiments for a husband and wife either!

And as everyone stood to give our couple an Irish Blessing at the end, the sun was shining on this chilly March day, and everyone headed outside to enjoy the views (and a wee glass of bubbly!)

With thanks to their photographer Jill for providing the image:
Photography © Jill Porter 2013
www.jillcherryporterphotography.com 
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