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Elope to Scotland!

Do you fancy something a little different for your Wedding or Civil Ceremony? Less frills and formality, and more intimate and personal? Have you had your legal ceremony elsewhere, but you wish to take private Vows in a place of history and spectacular beauty? Or, do you wish to re-take your Wedding Vows? If so, Elope to Scotland!

Scotland has a long history of couples eloping here. The 1754 Marriage Act in England and Wales, made it forbidden to marry without your parents’ consent if you were under the age of 21. Consequently young couples from south of the border would make the short trip over the border to Gretna Green to have a secret wedding!

Today it is still easier to get married in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, particularly if you wish to hold a Humanist ceremony. Humanist ceromonies are not recognised in England and Wales. And in Scotland we have perfect locations with majestic scenery – mountains, beaches and forests. Not to mention beautiful towns and cities and an abundance of accessible castles and historic sites. In Scotland you can get married anywhere, yes anywhere!

So lace your brogues and find out more…

Why do I want you to Elope to Scotland?!

Okay, you’re going to Elope to Scotland! This is a little different – for a start you’re running away and your going to elope to Scotland. I’m loving it!

You won’t have anybody telling you what to do. You won’t have a large entourage who need to be wined, dined and looked after. Your day is entirely your own!

Firstly, as a Scot I am deeply touched that there’s something about my country which makes you wish to Elope to Scotland for one of the most important days of your life. Therefore I want to share our traditions with you. I once read that being being “Scottish” is not a nationality, but a state of mind. In having you partake in our traditions, I look forward to welcoming you home“!

The key thing is that it’s your day and you get to decide what to do. You maybe haven’t been to Scotland before and you’re uncertain of how to arrange an Elopement Wedding. I’m here to talk to you and give advice on every step of your journey. If you’re in Edinburgh before your ceremony, I’m happy to meet you, or you can schedule a video/phone call with me at any time of your convenience. Phone me as often you like. Ask as many questions as you like. I just want you to have an unforgettable day.

You won’t see another Wedding Celebrant dressed liked this!

Amy and Joel eloped to Scotland all the way from Savannah, Georgia. I was proud to officiate and play the bagpipes for them at their Elopment Ceremony at the spectacular St Anothony’s Chapel, Edinburgh.

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Locations and Right to Roam

Ruthven Barracks near Kingussie, Inverness-shire

Now even though I’m totally biased, Scotland offers offer the best scenery anywhere. Within a small area we have everything from mountains, beaches, moorlands, lochs, forests and all within easy access from our cities. There are too many historic abbeys and castles to name.

And here’s the best bit… You can access nearly all of this land and there’s nothing stopping you from getting married there!

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gave everybody rights of access to land and inland waterways throughout Scotland so long as you behave responsibly. This is known in Scotland as the Right to Roam.

There are some specific exclusions as you’d expect. You can’t just get married in my back garden without asking me, for example. However, the countryside and many of the multitude of ruined castles and abbeys, which are still quite magnificent are completely accessible.

The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye

Now even though I’m totally biased, Scotland offers offer the best scenery anywhere. Within a small area we have everything from mountains, beaches, moorlands, lochs, forests and all within easy access from our cities. There are too many historic abbeys and castles to name.

And here’s the best bit… You can access nearly all of this land and there’s nothing stopping you from getting married there!

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gave everybody rights of access to land and inland waterways throughout Scotland so long as you behave responsibly. This is known in Scotland as the Right to Roam.

There are some specific exclusions as you’d expect. You can’t just get married in my back garden without asking me, for example. However, the countryside and many of the multitude of ruined castles and abbeys, which are still quite magnificent are completely accessible.

Ruthven Barracks near Kingussie, Inverness-shire

Tantallon Castle from Seacliff Beach, East Lothian

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The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye

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What can can I do to make your Elopement special?

Most weddings have a Wedding “Officiant” performing the ceremony and a bagpiper, well.., just playing the Bagpipes… But what if you could have your bagpiper playing the bagpipes and officiating your ceremony?

That’s what I can do for you!

If you’ve already held, or intend to hold your legal ceremony elsewhere, then I can officiate your Commitment Ceremony!

You’re not constrained by “protocols” required for a regular wedding, which may be pre-determined by an official or Wedding Coordinator telling you what do do! As well as performing the role of your Wedding Bagpiper, I perform many of the deeply symbolic rituals which have been performed at Scottish weddings for centuries. Sadly at regular Wedding Ceremonies, many of these are no longer performed due to the Officiant being unable to perform them, or determining that they don’t fit into the schedule.

I will create a unique Commitment Ceremony for you, incorporating the following into your Ceremony:

Your Scottish Elopement Ceremony

Your personal Bagpiper wearing the spectacular No.1 Full Highland Dress
Your Marriage Vows
Exchanging of Rings
Celtic Handfasting Ritual
Quaich Ceremony
Gift to the Bride
The traditional Piper’s Toast

The Celtic Hand-fasting Ritual

Most weddings have a Wedding “Officiant” performing the ceremony and a bagpiper, well.., just playing the Bagpipes… But what if you could have your bagpiper playing the bagpipes and officiating your ceremony?

That’s what I can do for you!

If you’ve already held, or intend to hold your legal ceremony elsewhere, then I can officiate your Commitment Ceremony!

You’re not constrained by “protocols” required for a regular wedding, which may be pre-determined by an official or Wedding Coordinator telling you what do do! As well as performing the role of your Wedding Bagpiper, I perform many of the deeply symbolic rituals which have been performed at Scottish weddings for centuries. Sadly at regular Wedding Ceremonies, many of these are no longer performed due to the Officiant being unable to perform them, or determining that they don’t fit into the schedule.

I will create a unique Commitment Ceremony for you, incorporating the following into your Ceremony:

Your Scottish Elopement Ceremony

Your personal Bagpiper wearing the spectacular No.1 Full Highland Dress
Your Marriage Vows
Exchanging of Rings
Celtic Handfasting Ritual
Quaich Ceremony
Gift to the Bride
The traditional Piper’s Toast

The Celtic Hand-fasting Ritual

Marriage Ceremonies in Scotland

If you’re not holding a separate legally-binding Marriage Ceremony elsewhere and you wish to do it all in Scotland, we have three types of legal Marriage Ceremonies – Belief, Civil or Religious:

Belief Ceremony

A Belief Ceremony is non-religious ceremony conducted by a non-religious Humanist Society Scotland celebrant for different or same-sex couples.

This type of cermemony which is legally binding in Scotland, has far less protocol than religious or civil ceremonies. You have the freedom to create your own unique Order of Ceremony and make your marriage all about both of you, and truly your own!

As with religious and civil ceremonies you will still sign your Marriage Schedule to make your marriage legally binding.

Civil Marriage or Ceremony

A Civil Marriage is a non-religious ceremony conducted by an official Registrar for different-sex couples, while a Civil Ceremony is the same but for same-sex couples. The ceremony is conducted by a Registrar and can take place in a Register Office or another approved place.

Same-sex couples who formerly had a Civil Partnership can convert it to a marriage. You can complete and sign an application form in the presence of a Registrar or hold a civil, religious or belief ceremony. Your marriage is then legally recognised as having started on the date you registered your Civil Partnership.

Religious Ceremony

A Religious Ceremony is conducted by a religious celebrant of your faith such as Minister, Priest or Imam. A Church of Scotland ceremony does not need to be held in a place of worship, as long as the Minister approves. Followers of other faiths are welcome too.

Roman Catholic ceremonies are slightly different. These must held within a place of worship which is in regular use. Either you or your partner has to have been baptised in the Catholic Church. If one of you isn’t Catholic you’ll require special dispensation from a local Catholic Bishop and you may need to attend marriage preparation classes.

The Legal bit

If you wish to make your Scottish Elopement legally binding, here are a few things you may be interested to know:

Scots Law allows you to marry anywhere, as long as you have a bagpiper ;-), and your wedding is officiated by a religious official, Registrar or a non-religious Humanist Society Scotland celebrant. Humanist marriages in Scotland have been legally recognised in Scotland since 2005, unlike in England and Wales where they are not legally recognised.

In Scotland you can also get married at any time of the day, whereas in the rest of the UK you can only get married between 8am and 6pm. This is why most vampires get married in Scotland.

Elopement Checklist

To hold a legally-binding marriage ceremony in Scotland, as you’d expect there are a few things you’ll need to do:

Check the Scottish Government’s guidance

The Scottish Government’s Marriage in Scotland webpage is a great starting point to find out about Scotland’s legal marriage process. More detailed information and access to the required paperwork can be found on the I Want to Get Married in Scotland page of the National Records of Scotland, the government body responsible for marriages in Scotland (my sister works here).

Find your Marriage Officiant

Once you know where you wish to be married, you’ll need to find a Registrar, Humanist Celebrant or religious official to officiate your ceremony and make it legally binding. Each district in Scotland has its own Registry Office(s) where you can book a Registrar from. Find a Registrar from the National Records of Scotland’s Directory of Registrars. If you wish to hold a Humanist ceremony (I like these!), then go to the Humanist Society of Scotland and Find your Celebrant.

Submit your Marriage Notice

Regardless of the type of ceremony you’re holding, you must each submit an M10 Marriage Notice form and your fee to the Registrar of the district where your marriage will take place. This must be received a minimum of 29 days prior to your marriage, and no more than three months in advance. If you want peace of mind it’s best to do this early as possibe. Contact the Registrar first. Remember this isn’t your Registrar or Celebrant’s first gig! They will give advice and answer any questions you may have. See the M10 Marriage Notice Guidance Notes and Form. If you’re having a religious or Humanist Society marriage, the religious official or celebrant will provide accompanying information which must also be submitted with the M10 form.

Proof of identity and residency

You must each provide your Birth or Adoption Certificates as well as valid passports and proof of your residency. If you’re eloping to Scotland from a country outwith the European Economic Area (EEA), then you’ll need to apply for a Marriage Visa. This you’ll need to submit with a Declaration of Immigration Status Form.

Previously Married?

If either of you have previously been married, you must provide a Decree of Divorce or Marriage Dissolution document. If this isn’t in English you’ll need to provide a certified translation carried out by a professionally qualified translator.

Witnesses

For your marriage to be legally binding in Scotland it must be witnessed by two persons aged 16 years or over. If only the two of you are travelling this can be tricky. However, your witnesses don’t need to be arranged in advance. Myself and photographers have often been the formal witnesses to a wedding. It’s an honour. Indeed, I’ve been pulled off the street on more than one occasion to witness a wedding in the Edinburgh Registry Office!

If you are accompanied by your witnesses though, you can include their details along with your M10 Marriage Notice form, and their names will be added to the official Marriage Schedule document.

The Marriage Schedule

The Marriage Schedule is the document produced by your Registrar after receiving and verifying all the documents you’ve submitted. If you’re holding a religious or Humanist ceremony which isn’t held in a Registry Office, you must collect this from your Registrar before your wedding. It’s usually available seven days prior to your wedding. You can’t be married without it!

You must give your Marriage Schedule to the person conducting your marriage ceremony. Both of you, your two witnesses and the celebrant will sign your Marriage Schedule during the Signing of the Register. Now your marriage is legally binding!

And don’t forget…

You must return your signed Marriage Schedule to the district Registry Office within three days (days, not working days!) of your ceremony. If you don’t do this, all your hard work will have been in vain!

This is your final step to make your marriage fully legit and legal. Congratulations!!

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