Candice Dillen - Humanist Celebrant

18/05/2026

A couple who don’t take themselves too seriously, are utterly lovely and just SO MUCH FUN!

I absolutely loved C&R, who married at one of Edinburgh’s newest venues Theirs was a relaxed ceremony of joy and laughter and I was so glad to be their celebrant. They send me these lovely photos by and some very kind words:

“We can’t thank you enough for making our ceremony so perfect. I can’t tell you how many of our guests commented on our ceremony and you, specifically. Everyone was blown away by how much you made the ceremony what it was, it was totally perfect and it was all down to you. The way you spoke, how you guided us and the bridal party through the ceremony, the ceremony that you produced for us was so unbelievably “us”, we couldn’t quite believe how you managed to do that.

Everyone that we heard from commented on how good you are, how well you spoke and just how brilliant you were. It was just perfect, Candice and we honestly from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much.”

♥️

03/05/2026

When C&D made their vows, they chose to do so with an oathing stone. Promises, not in hope of what might be, but in recognition of what already is.

Every new year, in Loch Lomond, they take a stone, write a message or a wish, and throw it into the loch.
D’s parents found their oathing stone there, a meaningful place to the whole family and a reminder of not just the love that they share, but their connection to those who came before them.

C&D have already built a life and beautiful family together: cheering each other on, finding patience when it’s hard and unity when the world feels overwhelming.

I have no doubt that the promises they made at their beautiful wedding are forever set in stone. ♥️

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31/03/2026

Z & L read this beautiful poem to each other during their ceremony. And spoke their heartfelt promises whilst handfasted with exquisite fabric.

As two talented writers, there could be nowhere more fitting to marry, than surrounded by books in the stunning new library at the Royal College of Physicians, the first of which was donated in 1682.

A gorgeous wedding for two beautiful brides, who captured their love in every gesture and word that was spoken. ♥️

An absolute joy, and in the marvellous company of at the always stunning

I take
your body where love takes place
I take
your mouth where my life takes shape
I take
your breath which makes my space
I take
you as you are for good
I take
you with open arms to have
I take
you to have
and to hold but not to hold
too hard
I take
you for farther for closer
for sooner for later
till till death tries to get us
and we laugh and we stall
and we tell it to call some other
fine day because we are busy today
taking our tea with buttered
hope and
I take
thee
I take
thee.

(I Take Thee - Imtiaz Dharker)

19/03/2026

I recently had the incredibly sad honour of conducting the funeral for a colleague and friend.

Much admired, much loved and very straight talking, she was formidable, challenging, enabling, determined, resilient, funny and hugely compassionate.

She also didn’t give a f**k what anyone thought of her!

And so it really made me smile to receive this touching and very fitting card and gift from her lovely family, whom she adored.

My celebrant colleagues and I miss her greatly. And this weekend, I’ll be pouring a rum and raising a glass to her. ♥️♥️♥️

27/02/2026

Many moons ago I was an ice skater.

For 8 years I trained before and after school at Sunderland ice rink and competed in national competitions, wearing dresses my mam had made for me. Back then you did figures and free. Figures were very precise figures of eight, on one blade edge, with loops or turns in perfect symmetry, depending on how advanced you were. I had an aptitude for figures and I would often place 1st in competitions.

Then the free skate inevitably let me down. The kind of skating you see on TV with a programme set to music. My spins were pretty good and I usually scored high on artistic impression but I was always inconsistent when it came to jumps. One time I’d land a double loop or flip no problem, the next time I’d crash to the ice. I blame being tall!

It was eight years of discipline, being part of a lovely skating community and striving to achieve. I miss it still, even all these years later. In my head I can still do a double flip!

Today I conducted a ceremony for a lady who also used to be an ice skater and performed in numerous shows in her youth. She saved up for two years to buy her own boots. Her special ice skate flowers at the ceremony really made me smile and brought back lots of memories ⛸️🤍

02/02/2026

The longer you avoid social media, the harder it gets to re-engage. But after a ‘socials avoidant’ January, it’s probably time to stop hiding.

I have been super busy though - lots of funerals, wedding enquiries, writing, admin and... the dreaded tax return!

In the spirit of trying to be better at communicating with the world, I’m sharing these kind words I was sent recently from my funeral work. They capture the reason I do this job, not for the performance, or the appreciation, but for the quiet difference it can make.

“Dear Candice, I just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for the care, compassion, and dignity you have shown our family over the years. You have now led the services for our grandad, our granny and most recently our dad, and each time you have done so with such kindness, warmth and respect. In the hardest moments of our lives, you somehow managed to make us feel supported, understood, and comforted. The way you told their stories and honoured who they were, meant more to us than words can fully express.”

“Thank you for all your work , you were amazing, you made a terrible time much easier. I can see why she recommended you, as will I to anyone.”

“Your presentation was very genuine and engaging. We’ve had many positive comments about the whole event and I for one was grateful that there were some smiles and laughs. Thanks again for all your help and guidance - it made a difficult time seem far more bearable.”

18/12/2025

It’s that time of the year when I look back at the best bits of 2025. Step forward R&K! ➡️➡️➡️

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07/11/2025

A + R love a good adventure.

They love Scotland too and on one trip had the most amazing time exploring the Highlands and west coast. When they got home they bought a VW van and converted it into a camper for future adventures - a dream come true!

They found the beautiful on a winter walk in February 2023. A year later they were chatting about it when A said – “I wonder if they do weddings there....”

R actually asked A to marry him on a trip to magical Istanbul. They were listening to the call to prayer, whilst watching the sunset on their balcony after a day exploring the city. It was perfect.

And so, on a crisp and bright autumn day, they brought family and close friends up to Scotland for their wonderful wedding. They made vows holding an oathing stone, which they chose whilst wild camping on a beach in the Outer Hebrides. They ended their ceremony with a handfasting, using strips of fabric owned by their loved ones no longer with us, connecting the love they share to the love that nurtured them in the past. Then they headed down the aisle as newlyweds to The Clash ♥️

They sent me these gorgeous photos by and these lovely words:

“We just wanted to thank you for the most incredible ceremony you created for all of us. We’ve had so many compliments about how personal and wonderful it was. We had such a great experience with you from the moment we met and we will truly cherish every moment!”

Thank you A + R, it was an absolute pleasure and may you have many more amazing adventures together!

30/10/2025

A + S first met all the way back in 2016. They got drunk and chatted rubbish to each other and afterwards A announced to her friends that she had just met ‘the one’.

Their relationship was long distance for the first 2-3 years but they visited each other as much as possible. Then S tentatively floated the idea that he should move into A’s flat. Before she had time to properly think about it, he’d found a job and was in by the end of the week!

They had been living the dream for about 6 months when A started dropping hints about getting a dog. Neither had any idea what, or how much, a dog ate, what it needed, how to lift it or hold it (wish them luck if they ever have a baby...) But in September that year they rehomed their wee French Bulldog. Turns out he’s the perfect dog for them - lazy, greedy & needy.

S decided that their holiday of a lifetime in Bali was the perfect place for a proposal. After carrying the engagement ring around in his pocket all day, he finally found the perfect place - the sacred Aling-Aling waterfall (think Jurassic park). A absolutely saw it coming a mile away but acted surprised when he got down on one knee. It was perfect, apart from the fact she was in a zebra print swimsuit and he was in tie-dye crocs.

Their wedding at beautiful was so joyful and great fun. They made their personal vows whilst handfasted with their respective clan tartans and drank a baby Guinness from their quaich. Their positivity, kindness and love for each other, and for life, shone through every moment and I have no doubt they’ll be making each other very happy throughout the years ahead.

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28/10/2025

These days there are gazillions of celebrants out there and not all operate with integrity. Remember the adage ‘style over substance’ and choose wisely.

Scotland is one of the few countries in the world where humanist marriages are legally recognised, thanks to years of campaigning by Humanist Society Scotland members.

But a lack of regulation of their own marriage law by government agencies has allowed individuals to pose as “humanist” celebrants without meeting the legal standards required of a genuine belief body, and without any link whatsoever to us.

We’re proud to have spent over 20 years providing meaningful, personal humanist ceremonies and remain the only non-religious organisation with permanent authorisation from the Scottish Parliament to do so.

HSS has repeatedly raised concerns with the government and National Records of Scotland, calling for urgent reform and proper oversight.

Now, The Sunday Post’s investigation lays bare the consequences of a decade of inaction.

👉 Read more: https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/marriages-at-risk/