How to get a humanist wedding in
Belgium
BELGIUM: Where meaning meets magic
Belgium, right in the heart of Europe and the EU, embodies democratic values and humanistic principles.
Its historic cities, scenic countryside, and rich cultural tapestry—shaped by Dutch, French, and German influences—create the perfect décor for a wedding that blends authenticity with elegance. Whether you dream of a ceremony in an historic Flemish village, a vibrant Brussels square, or a romantic château in the Ardennes, Belgium offers unforgettable settings full of charm and character.
As a pioneer in humanist weddings, Belgium has embraced this tradition since 1980. For over four decades, humanist celebrants have helped couples create ceremonies that are unique, heartfelt, and deeply personal. Open and warm, these ceremonies are designed entirely around the couple’s values and story—free from convention, rich in meaning.
Couples are given complete freedom to shape their celebration, while benefiting from the guidance of experienced celebrants who help them dig deeper into their connection and turn that into words, rituals, and moments that truly reflect who they are.
Thanks to its central location and excellent transport links, Belgium is easily accessible for international guests. Its multilingual culture and high level of English make planning smooth and stress-free.
With its humanist spirit, beautiful venues, and decades of experience, Belgium offers more than just a wedding—it offers a moment of authenticity and love, crafted entirely around you.
With full freedom to shape your celebration and the guidance of experienced celebrants, your wedding becomes a deeply meaningful and unforgettable moment – crafted entirely around you.
Click to read more about the historic and humanistic characteristics of Belgium as a perfect location for your dream humanist wedding.
Who offers a humanist wedding in Belgium?
Humanist weddings in Belgium are offered by the humanist organization deMens.nu.
Languages offered:
deMens.nu offers wedding ceremonies in Dutch and when possible in English, French and German.
Do we get to choose the humanist wedding celebrant ourselves?
deMens.nu will find an appropriate celebrant based on your answers in the introductory conversation and questionnaire.
How to book a humanist wedding in Belgium:
You can contact deMens.nu, either by email or through their online contact form.
deMens.nu requires that you are legally married prior to the humanist ceremony. deMens.nu will be able to help you with this. Read more under “The boring legal part” below.
A celebrant of deMens.nu will invite you to a no-obligation introductory meeting where we will talk about humanist values and the humanist life stance, including deMens.nu’s organization and working processes. We will mention the word ‘humanism’ in the ceremony.
The celebrant will have two or three conversations with you, to get to know you better, and to find out what drives you to get married and what values are important to you.
You as a couple, with the help of the humanist celebrant, will make your own wedding ceremony.
On the day of the wedding, the celebrant normally leads the wedding ceremony. However, you can decide onto the role of the wedding celebrant. It is possible that you just want help with the preparation of the wedding, while another person (friend, family or other) conducts it on the day of the wedding.
Price:
Humanist wedding services offered by deMens.nu are free of charge. deMens.nu is supported by the state to provide these services to anyone who wants them.
The boring legal part
deMens.nu, like all other Belgian faith or belief communities, are not authorized to marry people legally.
The custom in Belgium is to go to a municipality office first, and get a civil, legally binding marriage there. And then, afterwards, it is customary to have a symbolic wedding ceremony arranged by a humanist organization like deMens.nu, or in a church, a mosque, or similar arranged by other faith or belief communities.
deMens.nu requires that you are legally married before you can have a humanist wedding ceremony. Normally, the civil, legally binding marriage ceremony is performed the same day, right before the humanist ceremony, but it can also be done a longer time in advance.
The legally binding marriage certificate required by deMens.nu can be from Belgium or another country.
If you want to book a civil, legally binding wedding in Belgium, click here for instructions. The best thing, if you are not a Belgian citizen, will be to ask deMens.nu for help on how to book.
If you bring a marriage certificate from another country, it has to be duly legalized or apostilled by the authorities in that country.
- Read more under “is my marriage valid in Belgium?” on this page.
- Read more about transfer of legal wedding certificates across borders.
Here, Yvan and Martha do the routine.
How to get in touch
