Deborah Chan
Scottish weddings are a blend of ancient highland traditions and modern, streamlined rites. There are three types of marriage ceremonies: belief, civil, or religious. A belief ceremony is a non-religious ceremony conducted by a celebrant for opposite-sex or same-sex couples. A civil marriage is a non-religious ceremony conducted by a district registrar for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. A religious ceremony is conducted by a religious official such as a minister, priest, or imam. The length of a Scottish wedding depends on the type of ceremony and the couple's preferences. Same-sex marriages are allowed in Scotland, but only if the celebrant has government authorisation. In addition, a transgender person is considered to be the sex they were given at birth unless they have a gender recognition certificate. There are also unique Scottish wedding traditions and superstitions, such as handfasting, feet-washing, and the use of an oathing stone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Marriage Ceremonies | Belief, Civil, or Religious |
| Belief Ceremony | Conducted by a celebrant for opposite or same-sex couples |
| Civil Marriage | Conducted by a district registrar for both same and opposite-sex couples |
| Religious Ceremony | Conducted by a religious official such as a minister, priest, or imam |
| Age of Marriage | 16-18-year-olds do not need parental consent to get married |
| Location | Can be held anywhere in Scotland, including outdoors, as long as a wedding bagpiper is present |
| Timing | Can be held any day of the week, any time of day, and at sunrise or sunset |
| Prenuptial Agreement | Legally enforceable by Scottish courts |
| Notice Period | Marriage schedule is issued no earlier than 7 days before the wedding; the last date for the district registrar to receive the application is 29 days before the wedding |
| Runaway Weddings | Gretna Green and the Old Marriage House were famous for runaway weddings |
| Traditions | Handfasting, oathing stone ritual, feet-washing, something old/new/borrowed/blue, white heather in the bride's bouquet, drinking from a quaich |
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What You'll Learn
Scottish wedding ceremonies: Belief, Civil or Religious
Scotland has three types of marriage ceremonies: Belief, Civil, and Religious. Each type of ceremony offers couples the freedom to marry anywhere and at any time, as long as their wedding is officiated by a religious official, Registrar, or Humanist Society Scotland celebrant.
A Belief Ceremony is a non-religious ceremony conducted by a celebrant for opposite-sex or same-sex couples. It is one of the most flexible options available, allowing couples to tailor the ceremony to their beliefs and include whatever is meaningful and important to them. For example, couples can include readings from religious or non-religious sources, symbolic gestures, or choose to say slightly different vows.
A Civil Marriage is a non-religious ceremony conducted by a district Registrar for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. This type of ceremony can take place in a Register Office or another approved place, such as a stately home, a boat in Scottish waters, or a hillside. Couples can personalise their civil ceremony with readings, poetry, music, and personal vows. However, if they choose to include any religious readings or hymns, these cannot be performed by the registrar.
A Religious Ceremony is conducted by a religious official such as a 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, and followers of other faiths are also welcome. Roman Catholic ceremonies, on the other hand, must be held within a place of worship that is in regular use, and either one or both spouses must be baptised in the Catholic Church.
In addition to these three types of ceremonies, Scotland also recognises humanist ceremonies as legally binding. These ceremonies are suitable for couples looking for a non-religious celebration of their love and can include various traditions and rituals, such as handfasting or tying the knot, which has Celtic roots and symbolises the unity of the couple and their families.
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The role of the Wedding Bagpiper
The wedding bagpiper is a wonderful Scottish tradition that can add ceremonial touch and enhance the sense of occasion at your wedding.
The bagpiper can perform a variety of duties throughout the ceremony and reception. They can arrive before your guests and play as they arrive, creating a grand entrance and welcoming them to the venue. The bagpiper can then lead the bride from the wedding car to the ceremony, helping to settle any last-minute bridal nerves.
After the ceremony, the bagpiper can play during the recession line to keep guests entertained. If you are cutting the wedding cake, the bagpiper can announce this and then perform the Master of Ceremonies role, officially announcing the entrance of the newly married couple before leading them to their seats for the wedding breakfast. The bagpiper can then recite the traditional Piper's Toast, offering a dram of whisky to the couple before piping themselves out of the venue.
The bagpiper should be dressed in a full Highland outfit, including a furry bonnet, or a less formal kilt, shirt, waistcoat, and jacket combination. It is important to consider the volume of the bagpipes and the acoustics of the venue, as they can be very loud, especially in a church. A soundcheck is recommended, and the bagpiper may play from a distance or outside the venue if preferred.
Including a bagpiper in your wedding celebrations is a great way to incorporate Scottish tradition and create a memorable experience for you and your guests.
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Scottish wedding traditions and superstitions
Scottish weddings are a beautiful blend of ancient Highland tradition and modern, streamlined rituals. Most Scottish wedding traditions have deep historical and cultural contexts, with roots in Celtic customs and Christian influences. Here are some unique Scottish wedding traditions and superstitions:
Traditions
Handfasting or tying the knot: This ancient Celtic tradition symbolises the couple's connection and devotion. The couple's hands are tied together with cloth or ribbon during the ceremony, representing the binding of their souls and their commitment to each other.
Oathing Stone: The couple places their hands on a stone as they recite their vows, symbolising the strength of their commitment. This tradition stems from ancient Scottish beliefs that ancestor spirits lived on through natural elements like stones.
Bagpipes: The sound of bagpipes is a common tradition at Scottish weddings, believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. The piper leads the guests during the wedding procession and also plays during the entrance and exit of the ceremony.
Quaich: The Quaich is a traditional Scottish drinking cup with two handles, symbolising unity and sharing. It is often used during the exchange of vows or as a separate ritual, filled with a special drink like whisky or mead, for a symbolic toast.
Tartan and Kilts: Scottish weddings often feature tartan, the clan tartan of the family name. The groom and groomsmen typically wear kilts, while the bride may incorporate tartan into her attire with a sash, shawl, or bouquet ribbons.
Superstitions
Something Old, Something New: Scottish brides follow the superstition of having something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. This may include wearing a lucky sixpence in the shoe, believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
Right Foot First: It is considered lucky for the bride to step out of her home with her right foot first when leaving for the wedding, while stepping out with the left foot is said to bring bad luck.
Luckenbooth Brooch: The groom traditionally gifts a Luckenbooth brooch to the bride, featuring two intertwined hearts with a crown. It is believed to ward off evil spirits and is later attached to the first baby's blanket.
Creeling the Bridegroom: In the Highland custom of "creeling the bridegroom", the groom carries a large basket filled with stones until his bride-to-be comes out to kiss him.
These traditions and superstitions add a unique and meaningful touch to Scottish weddings, honouring the rich cultural heritage of the country.
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Legal requirements for marriage
Scotland recognises three types of marriage ceremonies: Belief, Civil, and Religious. A Belief ceremony is a non-religious ceremony conducted by a celebrant for opposite-sex or same-sex couples. A Civil Marriage is a non-religious ceremony conducted by a district registrar for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. A Religious ceremony is conducted by a religious official such as a minister, priest, or imam.
Marriage Notice
The first legal step to getting married in Scotland is to give notice to the district registrar in the area where you intend to marry. This applies to religious, belief, and civil marriages. Both parties must complete and send a Marriage Notice form to the registrar in the area they will be married in. This should be done between three months and one month before the wedding date. If the form is not submitted at least 29 days before the wedding, the ceremony may need to be postponed. The Marriage Notice form can be found on the National Records of Scotland website and must be accompanied by a fee.
Documents
Along with the Marriage Notice form, you will need to submit other documents to the registrar. These include:
- Birth certificate or adoption certificate
- Evidence of your usual residence, such as a utility bill (not older than 3 months)
- Valid passport or other acceptable identification
- Divorce certificate (if previously married)
- Death certificate (if a previous partner has died)
- Certificate that you are free to marry under the law of your own country (if not domiciled in the UK)
- Certificate from your country stating there is no known legal impediment to the marriage (if you live outside the UK)
- Declaration of Status by Non-UK Nationals form (if you are not from the UK)
Marriage Schedule
The marriage schedule is issued no earlier than seven days before the date of the marriage. The district registrar will bring the marriage schedule to the wedding and return it to the registrar's office after the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, the couple, the two witnesses, and the person who conducted the ceremony must all sign the marriage schedule.
Witnesses
The marriage must be performed in front of the registrar or celebrant and two witnesses aged 16 or over.
Prenuptial Agreement
A prenuptial agreement is a formal written agreement made by a couple before they get married, outlining how assets will be divided if the marriage ends. While not a requirement for marriage, prenuptial agreements are generally thought to be legally enforceable by Scottish courts, provided they are carefully drawn up with the help of a legal advisor.
Other Requirements
Scotland does not have any residence requirements for marriage, so citizens of any country can marry in any district. However, it is important to note that if you are a minor (under 18 years old), you do not need parental consent to marry in Scotland, but this marriage will not be legally recognised in England and Wales. Additionally, transgender individuals can change their legal gender without ending their marriage, and same-sex couples can now be married by ministers and deacons of the Church of Scotland, provided they have government authorisation.
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Scottish wedding gifts and accessories
Scottish weddings are steeped in tradition, from the famous Celtic handfasting ceremony to drinking from the Quaich. If you're looking for Scottish wedding gifts and accessories, here are some ideas to consider:
Gifts
- Quaich: A Quaich is a traditional Scottish two-handled drinking cup. You can find Quaichs featuring beautiful illustrations, such as a beach and seascape or a mini Quaich with a thistle design.
- Glassware: Scotland-themed glassware, such as tumblers or tot glasses, often feature intricate etchings of iconic Scottish landmarks like Edinburgh Castle or the thistle, the national flower of Scotland.
- Home Fragrance: Scented candles or reed diffusers with aromas inspired by Scotland, such as rose and sandalwood, can be a lovely addition to a new home.
- Hip Flask Gift Set: A hip flask, perhaps accompanied by a bottle of whisky, is a perfect gift for the groom, especially if he enjoys a drink.
- Scottish Oak Coasters: These unique coasters feature engraved illustrations, such as a contemporary thistle design, and make for a stylish and functional gift.
- Tartan Accessories: Throws and cushions in Scottish plaid and tweed can add a cosy and charming touch to the couple's home. These can also be embroidered with their names and wedding date for a personalised gift.
- Scarves and Stoles: Luxurious scarves and stoles in cashmere or lambswool, featuring Scottish plaids and tweeds, are both elegant and practical gifts, especially considering the UK's unpredictable weather.
- Kilt Pin or Cufflinks: For a Scottish groom, a kilt pin or a set of Scottish cufflinks can be a welcomed addition to his accessories collection.
Accessories
- Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue: A popular tradition for brides is to incorporate something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue into their wedding day attire. This could include a sixpence in the bride's shoe or a sprig of white heather hidden in her bouquet.
- Handfasting Ceremony: The Celtic handfasting ceremony involves the bride and groom joining hands and having their wrists tied with a cord or ribbon, symbolising the unity of their lives and the binding of their families.
- Blessing the Marriage Bed: On the remote Scottish island of Barra, it is traditional to sprinkle water on the marriage bed and bless it.
- First Night Accommodation: In the Scottish island of Mull, it is customary for the newlyweds to spend their first night together in a barn, while in Lewis, they live with the bride's parents for a week before moving into their own home.
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Frequently asked questions
The duration of a Scottish wedding ceremony is entirely up to the couple. There are no set time limits for the ceremony or reception.
The last date the District Registrar will receive your application to marry legally is 29 clear days before the wedding date. The marriage schedule is issued no earlier than 7 days before the wedding.
There is no set time frame for planning a wedding in Scotland. However, the busiest months for wedding ceremonies are spring, summer, and autumn, so it is recommended to book your preferred date as soon as possible.
