Are you having a humanist wedding?

Are you having a humanist, nonreligous, secular or atheist wedding?

Hi All,

I am a researcher and am interested in interviewing and speaking to people who are planning non religious ceremonies. The work is part of my PhD looking into atheism/humanism/nonreligion in Britain and want to look at how people organise weddings "without God" or without a religion traditional to your upbringing or culture.

Would you be happy to speak to me? If so please message me and I can get in touch with more information and perhaps arrange to meet or chat.

THANK YOU

Katie

Hi Kate,

We are having a humanist wedding and I would be happy to talk to you about it.
I am no expert but I know what we are doing and why we are doing it if that is helpful.

Regards,
Laura

Hi Laura,

Thank you for your message -

I am trying to look at what is new/different about ceremonies which people are choosing as nonreligious/humanist. Also what becomes important in place of the religious aspects and what has lead people to include a wedding in a non-religious/atheist world view.

As an anthropology student our research is usually by "observation" - but a general view of the research I am hoping to do would be interviews about people's world views and about the planning of the event and then perhaps one after to talk about how the day went?
Depending on how comfortable people are it would also be great to actually observe weddings too (not for the free food! it would only be the ceremony) but the level of research just depends on what people are comfortable with and what time people have to give.

Being based in London and not being able to drive I am asking if people are happy to skype/phone chat if they are very far out of London (Can I ask where you live?) otherwise, face to face meetings would be great if people are happy.

Before meeting or talking or instead of (whichever people prefer) I am giving out a questionnaire - if you have the time and are happy to answer it? (You can take your time to answer and if you are able to answer only some then anything is helpful) Perhaps I can arrange to follow this up by phone in the next couple of weeks?

Thanks again


Katie



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2012 12:35PM by gfbadmin.

Hi again Katie,

I would be happy to fill in your questionnaire and meet up if you wish (We live in Chesham at the end of the metropolitan line).
Our wedding will be in Chiswick (West London) in June but I will need to speak to my fiancé and family to see if they feel comfortable having researchers along. You can email the questionnaire to lgarside@world-challenge.co.uk.

Thanks,
Laura

The humanist wedding idea sounds interesting. I know many people who have had similar ideals. They often have their weddings outdoor in a park or some other place than a church. They do anything other than the traditional.