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Douglas, Alastair

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Location: Glasgow
Region: West of Scotland
Covering areas: No real limits, preferably the West
Phone: 0141 959 2539
Mobile: 07714 331 585
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

About Me

My background and experience
I am now retired and have been doing wedding Ceremonies for several years. My working background was in Sales and Marketing and accordingly have no difficulties in speaking in front of a large gathering, likewise I have conducted very meaningful weddings with as few as four present.

What humanism means to me
Treat this world and this life as the only ones we have. Take reponsibility for our own actions and work with others for the common good. Think that we should try our best to live full and happy lives ourselves and help others to do the same.
How I feel about being a wedding Celebrant    I consider being a wedding celebrant conducting legal marriages as just about the most significant and meaningful thing I have ever done in my life. It is a serious and important moment to all parties when the declaration...'I am delighted....and.....to declare you as husband and wife'. is made after the vows have been exchanged.

Funerals

Namings

Same Sex Affirmations

Weddings

My approach to weddings
My approach is pretty straightforward in that I advise the couple as to what I can do for them such as the cost, (I do not ask for a deposit), the reason for having to join our Society, and the way I can assist them with regard to the legal formalities they have to face with the Registrars. If they wish to proceed I will e-mail (or mail) several wedding scripts I have previously conducted which will give the couple themselves an idea as to what the format can be, but as always emphasising that the ceremony can be as they themselves want it. I do like the couple to contribe to the wedding script especially the all important vows, however if they wish me to do the whole thing start to finish , no problem.
More than anything else I do like weddings to be relaxed and happy, with plenty of participation. I always insist on meeting up with the couple at least eight weeks or so before the ceremony when we can discuss the practical issues ie music, readings etc

What I love most about conducting weddings
I really enjoy being part of what is such an important day, with the knowledge that what the couple and myself have put together (it is always a joint effort) has been to the pleasure and approval of all the family and friends gathered on the day. Following the ceremony I get what can only be described as a 'buzz'.

My advice to you
Consider that 'your day' is so important to you and your family, and don't be deterred from having what you want. Between us we can make it happen !!. Some wedding ceremonies have had live community singing ( 'If you'r happy and you know it clap your hands').

My favourite piece of wedding poetry
I seldom advise on poetry, being of the opinion that it is truly a personal matter, though will be happy to point couples in a certain direction ie Robert Burns has some lovely love poems. I also find that when I am letting couples see previous scripts they often approve of the readings that others before them have chosen.

My favourite piece of wedding music
Music is as important as you wish to make it.. Outdoors the 'pipes' work really well. Indoors I like the Clarsach or a string quartet, but CD music also works well.

My most unusual location for a wedding to date
Isle of Rum, The 'paddock' at Hamilton Racecourse. Lochsides, Castles, Private homes. Renfrew Ferry. In essence nothing is unusual, anything goes !!


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