Celebrancy was established by the Australian Commonwealth Attorney General Lionel Murphy on July 19, 1973.

Some “radical” ideas for at the time which include:



-reversal of the control of wedding ceremonies as only the functions of the state or religious institutions;

-citizens could choose their own celebrant (not the state/church deciding);


-appointment of aborigines (who had only been counted as humans in the census some six years before);

-the appointment of women;

-appointment of young people (the first civil marriage celebrant was appointed at 26 years of age, a woman, Lois D'Arcy);

-celebrating the milestones of life was just as important for secular people as it was for religious people.

-culture matters

A “radical” Celebrant is ultimately on the side of the community officiating at secular ceremonies of substance, meaning and dignity mainly for non-church people.

Radical!

Insight Certified Celebrants are trained through the InSight Institute to specifically meet the needs of families during their time of loss by providing a funeral service, memorial service or tribute that is personalized and individualized to reflect the personality and life-style of the deceased after consultation with the family and loved ones and coordination with the funeral home.

Yes.

To schedule a FREE 60-minute no-pressure consultation, click here.

After sharing details about the event date and location, you’ll receive a brief follow-up email with further information.

There is nothing to prepare for the meeting.

Event dates are secured after the service agreement is signed by all parties and the booking retainer (or same day event fee) is paid-in-full.

If the event calendar has availability and the service agreement is signed by all parties and the total cost for service is paid-in-full, yes, the event may commence.

Please ensure the correct number of legal Witnesses are present for the ceremony.

No.

The booking retainer fee only applies to events happening more than seven days from the current date.

All wedding events booked and performed within seven days of the current date receive a fee for rushed service.

To secure a wedding ceremony date within seven days of the current date, the service agreement must be signed by all parties and the total cost for service must be paid-in-full before the ceremony may commence.

For wedding services, yes.

This agreement outlines each party’s responsibilities, the services requested, cost for service, payment schedule, and where, when, and for who the services are provided.

Minnesota: A marriage license costs $115.00 and is due at time of application. However, if you and your partner have participated in at least 12 hours of pre-marital counseling the cost is $40, due at the time of application, in addition to a dated and notarized Educator’s Statement. (MN § 517.08)

Wisconsin: The cost of a marriage license varies by county. “Each county clerk shall receive as a fee for each license granted the sum of $49.50,” though “each county board may increase the license fee of $49.50 by any amount.” Click here to find the appropriate Wisconsin county office. (WI § 765.15)

Iowa: A marriage license costs $35.00 and is due at time of application. Learn more: State of Iowa Marriage Instructions or complete the Application for a License to Marry in Iowa now. (IA § 595.4 )

A Humans Love Stories Celebrant will assist the Couple and Witnesses on how to complete the form and where to add their signatures.

After ensuring the Certificate of Marriage is completed by the Couple and Witnesses correctly, the Celebrant will then sign, seal, and deliver the Certificate of Marriage to the county registrar’s office within the designated amount of time as specified under state law.

The Celebrant is an ordained minister with Universal Ministries since 2008.

In accordance with MN § 517.05, these ordination papers are on file at the St. Louis County registrar’s office.

Additionally, the Celebrant is also an InSight Certified Life Tribute Professional.

Our Celebrant was raised, baptized, and confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

For the past twenty years, however, more closely identifies with Unitarian Universalism.

The list of potential event venues may be endless.

Previous ceremony locations: backyards, wedding halls, Masonic Temples, lake fronts, public parks, community rooms, forests, family farms, historic barns, restaurants...

In Minnesota: two witnesses at least 16 years of age. (MN § 517.10)

In Wisconsin: two adult witnesses, however, if one of the parties is serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated in the U.S. armed forces, in a reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces, or in the national guard, the presence of only one competent adult witness is required. (WI § 765.16)

Not currently.

The founder of Humans Love Stories became ordained in 2008 and officiated the first wedding at the request of friends the same year.

The Celebrant will dress in a dignified manner wearing either a black, navy, or light gray suit with a solid white formal shirt, and bowtie or necktie, with a pocket square.

For Signing Ceremonies, the Celebrant will arrive ten minutes prior to the planned ceremony start time.

For Elopement, Couple Story, and Celebration Of Life ceremonies, the Celebrant will arrive 30 minutes prior to the planned start time.

This allows the Celebrant to check-in with the Couple, review the Marriage License, prep any last minute items, and become familiar with the ceremony venue.

Yes.

Yes, a 60-minute rehearsal is available as an add-on service.

Duration of the ceremony depends on the type of ceremony requested.

The following times are typical of the type of ceremony requested:

Signing: 5 - 8 minutes

Elopement: 8 - 20 minutes

Story: 15 - 30 minutes

Celebration of Life: 20 - 40 minutes

Since 2008 there has never been a ceremony our Celebrant was unable to attend due to emergencies or otherwise. Your day is the most important day in our Celebrant’s calendar.

Our Celebrant’s background as a touring performance artist means events start on time. (For instance: in 15 weeks across 2011/2012 our Celebrant put on 226 shows across the United States and never missed a performance. Most recently not even personal deaths in the family, root canals, or vehicle issues could prevent an event from starting on time. As they say in the business, “the show must go on!”)

Humans Love Stories is prepared for the unforeseen by foreseeing a need for a back up or two.

Should the unexpected occur, our emergency officiants are ready to answer the call when needed.

The Celebrant guides the Client(s) to shape the ceremony by adding or removing elements (readings, blessings, remembrances, unity elements, music).

A rough draft of the ceremony is provided to the Client for their input before finalization.

Their story, however, is created by the Celebrant without review or revision by the Client. The Celebrant specializes in using gracious honesty to best represent the individual(s) and family being honored. This way the first time you hear the story it’ll be new, fresh, and memorable.

It’s an art and why Humans Love Stories was created: to share amazing stories with the most important people you know.

Prospective Clients click here.

All other inquires may be directed via email to celebrant@humanslovestories.com.

Our ceremonies are typically not traditional or religious.

Our ceremonies recognize the worth and beauty of each individual

Inclusive and celebratory love is at the center of every story we share. It’s not a restriction, it’s a requirement. “Love” is our middle name and at the center of everything we do.

Humans Love Stories guarantees every event will be memorable and cherished by the Client and their guests.

If any Client is not fully satisfied by the service provided for their event, the Client may notify Humans Love Stories within five days for a refund.