Your Wedding Ceremony Guide - Let's explore what's included in your wedding ceremony.

What is included in a wedding ceremony?

Your Scottish Wedding Ceremony

So you’re planning a wedding and know you want to get married in Scotland. But what is involved in your wedding ceremony? What happens to ensure you are actually married?!

That’s where I come in! As an experienced wedding celebrant it’s my job to guide and advise you on what you must include (if it’s a legal marriage), what you can include – and what you may feel you want to exclude!

include symbolic rituals

One of the benefits of being married by a wedding celebrant is that you can personalise your ceremony. In other words you can include the bits you like and exclude the bits you don’t!

If your ceremony is a legal marriage there are key elements we must include (more on that later) but other than that you have a lot of choice.

Many couples chose to incorporate some traditional Scottish rituals into their cerermony, but there are many others you can consider.

Scottish wedding rituals

Two of the most popular Scottish wedding rituals are a handfasting ceremony and a quaich ceremony.

A handfasting ceremony is one of the oldest marriage rituals – it is where the saying ‘to tie the knot’ originates. Your hands are bound together by ribbons or cords to symbolise your love and commitment.

Another popular Scottish ritual is a quaich ceremony. A quaich is a two handled drinking cup. Traditionally whisky is drunk by the married couple – however you may wish to toast your marriage with your favourite tipple.

What else can we include ?

Other symbolic wedding rituals you can think about including in your ceremony are:

A Secret Ring Bearer – when we hide your wedding rings under the seat of one of your guests!
Ring Warming – your wedding rings are passed between your family so they can be ‘warmed’ by their love
Oathing Stone – your wedding vows are ‘set in stone’ as you make them whilst holding an oathing stone
Lighting a Candle – a moving way to remember loved ones or symbolise your love
Sand Ceremony – a great way to involve children in your ceremony and create a family memento.

These are just some ideas – you may have your own cultural or traditional rituals you’d like to incorporate into your wedding ceremony.

Include Your Story in your wedding ceremony

One of the ways to make your ceremony feel truly personal is to include your story. Think of it as your highlights reel!

I’ll ask you to complete a Q&A so I can weave your story into your wedding ceremony. Obviously you only share the information you are comfortable sharing!

Wedding Readings

Many couples chose to include one or two readings in their wedding ceremony. But it is up to you – you don’t need to include any readings if it doesn’t feel right for you.

Wedding readings don’t need to be traditional or religous. They can be as sentimental or lighthearted as you chose. Some couples select their favourite song lyrics, a passage from a book they love or quote from a film. Others ask a family member to select (or write!) a reading or poem for them. Or maybe you’d like to include a Scottish poem or reading which is meaningful in your own culture.

In my wedding pack I’ll share many sample poems & readings you could think about including. They are often a great starting point when exploring including a reading in your wedding.

What about the legals?

As a Marriage Officer with Celebrants Scotland I am authorised to solemnise marriage anywhere in Scotland. I’ll make sure we include all the legal elements in your wedding ceremony – that we sign the marriage schedule, declare your intention to be married and include the required pronouncement.

Once you book me as your wedding celebrant, I’ll share my wedding pack which includes lots of advice on the paperwork and process you’ll need to follow to ensure you can be legally married.

I offer a free initial call so we can discuss your wedding ceremony and how we could work together. It’s my job to help you explore what else you’d like to include in your marriage ceremony.