Celebrant profile:
Robbie Sharpe
I retired in 2016 at 55, it had been my ambition to retire early and enjoy life.
Having been a Humanist all my life (I only really took the tag when it became popular)! Humanism to me means being respectful of others’ views whilst holding on to my secular ones.
There is no better way to spend your retirement than being a Celebrant with the Humanist Society Scotland (I use the term retired loosely!).
I most recently left Dundee University, a role in business development meant I interacted with people on a day to day basis. I love meeting new people and getting to know them, it gives me great pleasure to meet with families in this role, the feeling that you have played an important part in the lives of people, at sometimes harrowing life events, means I feel fortunate and privileged.
I have three grown-up children of my own and was a single parent for most of the time. It was challenging (and still can be) but I wouldn’t swap for anything. The experience taught me that we are all individuals, we all have our desires and dreams, and it was my role to encourage this.
I love to travel and have been around the world, but there are still many places I want to see. I add places to my bucket list faster than I remove them. Travel to me broadens the mind, it allows us to see other cultures and ways of life.
In all cultures, we celebrate life’s events. The birth of a child is a life-changing moment, not equalled by much else! When we marry we are joining someone that we wish to spend the rest of our life with. Hopefully, we can celebrate a life well-lived.
Check My Availability
Busy Limited Available
Wedding & Civil Partnership Ceremonies
It will be a pleasure to conduct your ceremony, I’m more than happy to meet (in person, or via ‘Teams,’ ‘Zoom,’ ‘Google Duo’ or ‘FaceTime,’ this will allow you to decide if I am the right celebrant for you both. I say this because ceremonies are unique and personal to you, it is vital you get a celebrant that ‘floats Your boat’!
To see me at this stage, you may wish to view my ‘This is Me’ video, at the top of my profile!
If after a first meeting you decide I’m the celebrant for you, I will send you various documents. This will help you decide what kind of ceremony you want, and any symbolic gestures you may wish. Choosing from handfasting, candle lighting, quaich or sand ceremonies for instance. Your ceremony may be formal, light-hearted, indoors, outdoors, on the beach or even up a mountain, it is entirely your choice!
I can travel all over Scotland, I have a campervan which makes this easy. I am based in Edinburgh but have a place near Dundee (Tayport). Any wedding within ten miles of these locations will have no travel expenses.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Naming & Welcoming Ceremonies
Children are our crowning glories, to bring a child into the world isn’t beaten by much else! It is with this as a starting point that I will write and deliver a personal Naming and or Welcoming ceremony for your child.
The ceremony is a semi-formal occasion when we welcome a child into the world, publicly state their name, and acknowledge all friends and family who will be important as the child grows.
A child is unique. I will meet with you and design a ceremony for your child based on our discussions. A naming ceremony is for anyone, not just newborn babies, it can take place for an older child. An older child may have a naming ceremony alongside a younger brother or sister. A Welcoming Ceremony can be held for a child who has joined a family by adoption or through foster care.
Ceremonies usually include readings and music and parents’ promises or pledges to the child. We can tailor to suit your needs and wants, these may include friends and family making a public statement to nurture and look out for the child, it may include a promise to support the parents.
There are many gestures that can be tailored to a ceremony that suits you, for instance, candle lighting, tree planting, sand ceremonies, etc etc. I can provide a document that we can all sign to acknowledge the occasion, along with a script written covering the whole ceremony, typically ten pages.