Jackie Grant Humanist Celebrant

03/04/2026

Yesterday Prestonfield House and gardens were looking wonderful and the weather was( surprisingly!) perfect for the wedding of Eva and Richard.
Richard had used his skills to create an impressive bi-lingual zine to welcome Eva’s friends and family from the Czech Republic and poems and vows were read in both languages.
Eva had sourced a beautiful hand-woven handfasting cord to ‘tie the knot’, this made with satin ropes in her chosen colours, white, taupe and burgundy. We used this cord to tie the hands as our bride and groom made their vows.
And they brought their own fountain pens to sign the wedding register. An unusual personal touch!
Altogether a lovely event much enjoyed by all. Wishing Eva and Richard much happiness together.

02/11/2025

Today Alex Simpson laid a wreath on behalf of the Humanist Society Scotland at Edinburgh’s Garden of Remembrance by the Scott Monument. Alex was supported by Alison, Gordon, Luca, Richard and myself. As Humanists it is right that we remember.

13/10/2025

Saturday saw the wedding of Lindsay and Jamie at the Queen Charlotte Rooms in Leith. The groom was feeling rather nervous but no problem as the bride came in on cue to ‘Knights in White Satin’. And the couple felt the warmth of the support from alll their friends and family.
The Queen Charlotte Rooms are a splendid quirky venue. Click through to the end of the photos. The ceremony in a grand room with a domed ceiling; drinks and elegant canapés in the bar the really feels like being on the Orient Express with the scenery flashing by outside the windows.
Wishing Lindsay and Jamie every happiness.

14/07/2025

Saturday was certainly a warm day for the wedding of Emma and Lukas at Old Dr Bellls Baths in Leith, but it was the was the warmth of the emotions and sentiments expressed in the ceremony that was remarkable. Ella and Lukas had written lengthy personal vows expressing their love and commitment and kept these secret from each other until spoken in the ceremony. Very moving… not a dry eye in the house! Lots of fun afterwards celebrating with family and many friends in a wonderful array of costumes ( maybe more photos later). Very best wishes from all to our newly-weds ‘Forever Young’.

07/06/2025

Follow up to my previous post about Bruce and Ewan’s wedding… that have now just celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary. I love this photo of them at the signing table surrounded by quilts made by Bruce.
Also the group they dance with is the Gay Gordon’s. Come and see Ewan and Bruce dance at the Humanist Celebration ceilidh on 20 th June.

07/06/2025

02/12/2024

This is a photo of a tapestry ceated with 16 amateur tapestry weaving friends during Lockdown THe tapestry Golden Threads Reawakened uses golden threads that were collected by a refugee after she fled Germany in 1941. The threads did not see the light of day for some 70 years until they were given to me by her grandaughter in January 2021. We used the hreads to make this modern secular tapestry with a continuing concern for refugees and all victims of conflict and a theme of building brigdes and breaking through barriers in the hope of making the world a better place.
Courtesy of the Jigsaw Art Foundation, the tapestry is curently on show at the Jigsaw shop, 48 George St, Edinburgh. We continue to show the tapestry because whilst the world is increasingly troubled and cruel, it is important to hold on to that hope.

10/11/2024

Today it was an honour to be representing the Humanist Society Scotland at Edinburgh’s Remembrance Day ceremony.
I accompanied Robbie Sharpe, a Royal Air Force veteran, who was part of the Lord Provost’s party laying a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance at the City Chamers.
It was good to be there to remember and pay our respects, but also to have recognition here of Scotland’s majority secular population.

01/11/2024

The confidence of Laura and Kelda was well rewarded when today 1stNovember they had their dream wedding here on Blackford Hill… it wasn’t too windy and the rain held off till after the ceremony and photos on the hillside. From the chosen spot, guest could see a spectacular view of Edinburgh beyond us whilst enjoying the ceremony. We had a ring-warming and readings from friends and from both of their children, and shared emotional vows that they had kept secret from each other until the ceremony.
And Kelda’s uncle was on hand to play the bagpipes. A very relaxed ceremony with lots of fun and laughter. Wishing you Kelda, Laura and family, much happiness for your future.

07/10/2024

It was a very relaxed and joyous wedding for Sarah and Nic at Bellfield Portobello. The ceremony started with a ring warming so that when they exchanged rings these carried the best wishes and blessings of their guests. Both their mothers read lovely poems and Sarah and Nic shared their story. Both horticulturalists who love nature and the great outdoors, Nic proposed in their beloved camper van under the stars on a favourite beach. This happy couple were unfazed by the blustery weather as they posed for photos on Porty prom. And that same camper van stood waiting to take them away for more celebrations.

18/09/2024

Lisa and Lydia travelled with close friends and family from Hull to Balmule House in Fife for their wedding yesterday, and they brought with them this wonderful weather so that we were able to celebrate their marriage in the beautiful grounds of this hide-away venue.
This was a very personal ceremony with Lydia’s brother James and Lisa’s friend Tanya both reading lesser known but powerful poems by Mary Oliver and Naomi Shibab Nye.
Lydia and Lisa wrote their own vows but kept them secret from each other until the ceremony- very moving, not a dry eye in the place!
And there was a handfasting with yellow and green ribbons handed to me by young Theo. Everyone delighted by the successful ‘tying of the knot’ (we had had no opportunity to practice until the day!).
Altogether a joyful event!