Getting Married in Scotland

Weddings, Elopements, Handfastings and Vow Renewals in the Highlands of Scotland

Scotland has become known as the destination for weddings, elopements, handfastings and vow renewals, and The Highlands offer historical, dramatic and beautiful locations to suit your ceremony ideas whether budget or bespoke.

Celebrating people – you!

Whether you identify as being humanist in outlook; spiritual or religious in practice; or even atheist, agnostic, or you choose not to label your beliefs, I am here to create and hold a wedding or vow renewal ceremony for you according to your beliefs and wishes.

Celebrating your love in a ceremony

As you’re coming to Scotland to be married or have a commitment ceremony, maybe you’d like a certain theme – perhaps a Celtic flavour? We can explore what you feel is at the heart of your togetherness, whether it’s being a family, the friendship between you, becoming next of kin.

Thinking of eloping to Scotland?

Though an elopement is a secret and romantic wedding for two, to be married legally there must be five people present – you and your beloved, a minister or celebrant, and two legal witnesses.

Having a Highland handfasting?

The ancient ceremony of handfasting, which includes the ritual of having your hands tied, is as inspirational as it ever was. If you make an advance legal application this can be a legal ceremony too. This is also a popular way of renewing your vows.

Marrying just the two of you in Scotland?

Whether you call your ceremony a marriage or an elopement, the same rules apply to having a legal element to proceedings, but marrying just the two of you doesn’t mean that you can’t have all the usual flourishes. Plenty of couples visit Scotland on their own and still have traditional wedding dress and kilt outfits, a castle and a piper.

You’d like to have a Scottish vow renewal?

There are thriving Scottish communities all over the world, and couples of all ages who feel Alba (Gaelic for ancient Scotland) calling them home for their sacred ceremony. Taking a little time to appreciate each other and your relationship can add a special element to a second honeymoon or anniversary trip to Scotland.

Where do you begin planning your Scottish ceremony?

Finding a location for your ceremony is a great start so think about what appeals to you? An enchanted woodland or forest, a beautiful beach or loch side, near a pretty waterfall or historic castle ruin? The Highlands have all this and more, and you can hold a ceremony almost anywhere.

Help planning your wedding

For small gatherings I can offer a little wedding planning help, in addition to writing and holding your ceremony. Depending on the exact area of The Highlands you hope to have your ceremony, I may know the perfect piper, photographer, caterer, cake baker, florist or musician for you.

Preparing your wedding or vow renewal ceremony

I welcome your ideas or I can offer you ideas, whether you would like a light hearted event, or a more dignified and sacred occasion. I will reflect your wishes and beliefs whatever they are – formal and moving, or creative and heartfelt – you choose the atmosphere you would like us to create!

Having a handfasting

In small ceremonies such as weddings for two and elopements, couples often choose to have a couple of rituals in the form of a ring exchange and handfasting – these rituals are easy to implement in either indoor or outdoor settings.

Ritual can add meaning

Candle lighting and sand rituals can be a little bit more tricky if outdoors – we have to be careful as wind can extinguish candles, or blow fine sand when being poured, but what could be more perfect than a sand ceremony on the beach? Or a cosy indoor castle or chapel setting with a candle lighting ritual?

Drinking from a Quaich

Another popular ancient Celtic ritual is sharing a drink from the highland drinking vessel ‘The Quaich’, a shallow bowl with a handle or lug at either side. Whilst whisky is most often used, Gin, Champagne and even Stout have been used by wedding couples!

Wedding poems and prose?

Your ceremony of marriage or vow renewal can include poetry, extracts from books, or quotes from movies or songs. As you’re coming to Scotland, how about some Robbie Burns, Scotland’s most famous poet? Or you can include meaningful religious or sacred texts according to your beliefs.

Personal or traditional wedding vows?

I also have lots of ideas for vows I can send you if needed, all the way from traditional to alternative, and you can choose something from my selection or write your own.

Music is the food of love!

Maybe you’d like to have favourite music played at your ceremony? What appeals to you? A piper in full formal outfit? A Celtic harpist? Something different like an accordion player or guitarist?

Celebrating ‘all’ people

Just to clarify, as an interfaith celebrant, I am here to serve all couples who are looking to celebrate love and unity – whatever your age, race, nationality, sexual orientation, religious or moral beliefs, gender, state of health or disability.  I hope same sex and LGBTQI+ couples will enjoy my dedicated website Gay Marriage Scotland

Making a booking

Some couples book two years in advance, and some call me the day before on the off chance to see if I’m free. I like to be able to help and will say yes if I can, as will my husband Will who’s also a celebrant as well as a wedding photographer (we can work solo or as a pair).

Get in touch – I’d love to help

So there you have it – you can elope, marry, wed, commit, unite, handfast, renew your vows, in whatever form you choose. And if you don’t have the time or inclination to marry legally, you can have a non legal to celebrate your love, union, and commitment.

Please let me know how I can help and drop me an email – I aim to answer all enquiries within 24 hours and assure you of a friendly and helpful first response and ongoing communication.