Humanist Wedding Ceremony – An Interview with Celebrant Katharina

More and more couples are choosing a humanist wedding ceremony – a ceremony without a fixed ritual, tailored entirely to the couple. But what actually makes a humanist ceremony so special, and what really matters for a truly personal celebration? That's exactly what I talked about with Katharina. She's a humanist wedding celebrant from Marburg who guides couples through their ceremony with plenty of heart, humour and a feel for just the right words. You can find out more about Katharina at www.rednerin-katharina.com. In the following interview, she shares her experience and tips all around the humanist wedding ceremony.

What makes a humanist wedding ceremony special for you?

For me, what makes a humanist ceremony special is that it revolves entirely around the couple saying "yes" to each other – not around a fixed procedure or a prescribed ritual.

I also find it particularly beautiful that there are hardly any limits. Whether on a meadow, in the mountains, by a lake or in a barn – the setting, the music, personal rituals or individual vows can turn the ceremony into something truly unique. But it's also the freedom to say: hey, there's no ritual that suits us as a couple – then we simply leave it out. True to the motto: anything goes, nothing is a must.

What is personally most important to you when designing a ceremony?

I love weaving in the little anecdotes that instantly make the couple smile and make the guests think: "Yes, that's exactly what they're like!" There's room for laughter, room for tears – and sometimes both at once. I don't want to steer my couple and the guests towards one single emotional highlight; I want us to ride an "emotional rollercoaster" the whole time.

In the end, my wish is that the couple can say: "That was 100% us." When the guests head home with a smile, maybe having shed a tear or two, and are still talking about the ceremony long afterwards – that's exactly how it should be.

What does the preparation with a couple typically look like?

Right from the start there's a transparent outline of how we'll work together, so the couple always knows what comes next.

That's why, even before our ceremony planning talk, there's the chance to prepare a little. During the conversation, we cover not only their story but also the organisational details. I don't leave my couples alone with any of it – I share my ideas when they're wanted and step back on the points where they already have clear visions. Either way, I'm always available for questions, whether about content or organisation.

A "last call" around 14 days before the wedding helps to go over any open points once more, to build the anticipation – and to take away a little of the nervousness, too.

With me, couples have someone by their side who doesn't need questionnaires and multiple meetings to capture the essence of who they are. And yet, of course, I'm right there with them the whole time.

In your view, what makes a truly personal and emotional wedding ceremony?

A truly personal wedding ceremony lives on the little things. Not on grand, perfect words, but on the stories, glances and moments that define the couple.

When the guests laugh in between because they recognise themselves in an anecdote, and then fall completely silent a moment later because one sentence lands straight in the heart – that's when something special happens. That's exactly the mix I love.

For me, it's not about delivering a perfect speech, but a genuine one. A ceremony where the couple thinks: "That's exactly who we are."

What should couples keep in mind if friends or family members want to lead the humanist ceremony?

I genuinely think it's wonderful when friends or family members want to lead the ceremony – after all, nobody knows the couple better than the people who have been by their side for so long.

Even so, people often underestimate how much preparation and responsibility is involved. A wedding ceremony is more than just a lovely speech. It's about finding a common thread, striking the right balance between humour and emotion, and guiding the guests smoothly through the ceremony – without it becoming too long, too chaotic or too stiff.

My tip: if someone from your circle of friends or family truly feels up to the task and takes joy in it, it can become something very special. Beyond that, there are also professional celebrants who can support you in advance – for example, by providing a common thread or coaching beforehand.

Where do you stand on AI? Do you think it will replace professional wedding celebrants?

Personally, I'm not worried about that. If a celebrant's job were merely to write a beautiful story, then AI would be close to taking my job – because it can already write beautiful stories today.

But a wedding celebrant is so much more. It's about telling the most personal story of two people. About trust and reassurance, about feeling at ease and asking the right questions. About listening, and sensing those small in-between moments that reveal: wait, there's more behind this – let me dig a little deeper. And during the ceremony itself, personality is what counts: how do I bring the story to life once more for everyone in the room? Sure, I can talk about feelings – but the art lies in awakening those feelings directly in the couple and their guests. In being so vivid in your delivery that everyone can follow along and, above all, wants to. And in my eyes, no AI will be taking that over any time soon.

Thank you so much, dear Katharina, for these lovely insights! If you're planning a humanist wedding ceremony and looking for a celebrant who tells your story with heart and humour, be sure to visit www.rednerin-katharina.com. And if you're still looking for a DJ for your wedding who'll fill the dance floor after the ceremony – feel free to get in touch with me.