An Irish woman exchanged vows today in Britain's first legal humanist marriage. Karen Watts (29) from Co Clare and Martin Reijns (27) married in a landmark ceremony at the Royal Zoological Gardens in Edinburgh.
The non-religious wedding has until now required a second civil ceremony to make it legal. However, new laws introduced in Scotland earlier this year meant it could take place without a minister or civil registrar in sight.
Instead, the couple, who have been together for six years, exchanged vows written by themselves in what they describe as a more personal ceremony.
Mr Reijns, originally from the Netherlands, said: "We knew that we didn't want a religious ceremony, as we are both non- religious, and we felt that a civil one would be very impersonal.
"Marriage is more than a legal bond and when we heard about humanist weddings from a friend, we looked into it and decided it was for us."
The couple met in Holland and have set up home in Edinburgh, where Martin is finishing his PhD and Karen works in community development.
Humanist weddings have been made legal by the registrar general for Scotland, who reinterpreted Scots marriage laws in relation to the European Convention on Human Rights.
He has authorised 12 registered humanist celebrants to conduct legal marriages.
Some of the more traditional aspects will remain, however. Karen's father will walk her up the aisle, the couple will still say "I do", and Martin has not been allowed to see her dress.