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In the past, brides were promised, sold or given away without their consent; grooms traded titles for dowries and married women they had never met. Marriages were arranged, sometimes by a marriage broker, by village elders or by parents. There were "marriages of convenience" and "shotgun weddings." For most people, things have changed for the better -- we marry someone we choose ourselves and we marry for love. Celebrations is here to make your choice a beautiful and joyous occasion. Sometimes a person is being married to a second or third partner. Many times, a couple's union is not recognized by an established church, family or community. Sometimes, one or both of the partners holds no religious belief and refuse to join a church to celebrate life's many passages. Celebrations offers unique, romantic ceremonies that are personalized to the couple. We acknowledge the special circumstances of same-gender partners and conduct beautiful, life-commitment celebrations that two people bring to their union. We are Humanists and recognize the rights of all humans to choose their own life paths. Love makes a family. IMPORTANT: Wedding license requirements for Pennsylvania. The current rate schedule for weddings is as follows:
All couples who want to be married in a "guaranteed secular ceremony" through Secular Ceremonies must obtain a Self-Uniting Marriage License. Due to misinformation and the lack of training given to marriage license clerks, difficulties have arisen. Margaret Downey is happy to escort all couples in order to guarantee that the proper license is obtained and that clerks will not force the couple into obtaining any license other than the Self-Uniting Marriage License. If a couple attempts to obtain the license on their own, the couple must be prepared for possible difficulties. All secular/atheist couples have the right to obtain a Self-Uniting Marriage Licenses! Do not let an uneducated clerk tell you any differently. By law, you do not have to be a Quaker to obtain a Self-Uniting Marriage License! There may be confusion in due to a lack of education and proper training, but The Pennsylvania Human Relations Department has process several complaints and has promised to intercede should difficulties arise. Remember, you do NOT have to be a Quaker to get the Self-Uniting License and this is the only way that your secular ceremony will be recognized by the state of Pennsylvania.
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