Photo credit: Neil Thomas Douglas Photography

History Makers

At the Fuze Foundation, we are proud to work in Scotland.  A country that recognises the value, meaning, and dignity of Humanist marriage Ceremonies. As a Scottish-based Humanist organisation, we strongly support the growing call for legal recognition of Humanist marriages across the rest of the United Kingdom.

Since Humanist marriages became legally recognised in Scotland in 2005, over 80,000 couples have chosen to celebrate their wedding in a way that reflects their personal values and beliefs. By 2019, Humanist weddings had overtaken religious weddings in popularity, making them the most common belief-based legal wedding in the country. That trend has continued post-pandemic, with Humanist ceremonies consistently accounting for a large proportion of all legal marriages.

Read our blog – Marriage By Numbers – detailing the National Records of Scotland life events statistics.

We’ve seen first-hand the significance and impact of Humanist ceremonies when they are granted legal status. Couples across the UK deserve the same freedom of choice, recognition, and respect for their beliefs.

For many couples, this has been life-changing. It’s not just about getting married, it’s about being seen and heard, and having your identity and choices respected by law.

Change Is Overdue In England & Wales

Yet in England and Wales, the law has failed to keep pace. Humanist marriages still don’t carry legal status unless followed by a separate civil registration. This outdated system creates unnecessary stress, cost, and complexity and  effectively denies non-religious couples the right to have their beliefs reflected in a legally recognised ceremony.

This disparity is especially stark given that over 22 million people in England and Wales now identify as non-religious.  According to the 2021 Census that’s 37.2% of the population, up from 25.1% in 2011. The data reflects a growing shift away from religious affiliation, yet the legal system has not evolved to reflect this reality.

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2021 Census Religion Data

Give Everyone Choice

Here in Scotland, we are fortunate to have that choice. For two decades, the Humanist community has delivered thousands of legally binding, deeply personal ceremonies, providing couples with a way to honour their values in a meaningful way. The Fuze Foundation is proud to be part of that journey, and to stand in solidarity with Humanist organisations and communities across the UK in calling for change.

Humanist marriages are inclusive, personal, and meaningful. More importantly, they embody the principles of freedom, equality, and diversity, principles that a modern society should uphold for everyone, regardless of religion or belief.

We urge lawmakers in England and Wales to act. Listen to the public, to belief organisations, and to political leaders from across the spectrum who are saying what we all know: this reform is long overdue.

Let’s bring fairness to the whole UK.

Because love is love—and choice matters.

Add our smiles to yours

No two couples are the same so no two ceremonies should be the same. At Fuze we work alongside our couples to make their humanist wedding ceremony script is unique, personal and bespoke. It’s your day your way with us, so let us add our smiles to yours. To check our amazing celebrant’s live availability for your special date click here!