Ceremonies

Ceremonies The Main Event

The ceremony will be the main event at your wedding and feature the moment you’ll finally become a married couple. You can go for a traditional ceremony or pick something more original – whatever feels right for you as a couple.

What type of ceremony?

• Civil: The most popular ceremony style conducted in Scotland. You’ll be able to truly show your personalities with help from your registrar. Your ceremony can take place in any non-religious location. • Church of Scotland: The details of a religious ceremony will mainly be decided by the celebrant. The location will need to be approved by your minister but we’re lucky in Scotland to have more freedom than elsewhere in the UK. Anyone can marry in this religious service, even if you believe in another faith.

• Roman Catholic: The ceremony must be in a place of worship and either you or your partner will have been baptised. If one of you isn’t Catholic, you’ll have to get in touch with your local bishop, who might suggest marriage classes. • Interfaith: The ideal solution for the couple with different beliefs. What you do during the ceremony is completely up to you, but there may be some religious aspects you want to include.

• Humanist: This ceremony style is much more personal, and you’ll make most of the decisions yourselves. It’s not religious but you can incorporate rituals if they mean a lot to you.

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Remember…

You’ll have to complete and return a marriage notice form (and pay the fee) no more than 29 days before the wedding. Posting the notice is your best option at the moment.

You’ll also need a marriage schedule for your ceremony. You’ll need to pick it up seven days before if you’re having a religious ceremony, but your registrar will bring it along for civil ceremonies.

On the day

It’s up to you if you want to write your own vows - just check what you need to include to make it official. And it’s not a legal requirement but most couples choose to exchange rings during the ceremony, too. You’ll sign the marriage schedule right at the end of the ceremony – and then you’ll be married! Just make sure to return it to your local registrar within three days. ♥

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Did you know that in the North-East of Scotland, a civil marriage ceremony is the most popular marriage option for couples?

We would love to talk to you about your ceremony - please give us a call, or make an appointment online:

Every year, our friendly and experienced registrars offer hundreds of couples advice, guidance and reassurance every step of the way until the Wedding Day. We delight in ensuring that every marriage ceremony is meaningful, unique and personally tailored to your individual wishes. You will never forget the moment you said “I Do”…!

What is a civil marriage ceremony?

A civil marriage ceremony is a ‘non-religious’ marriage ceremony, as traditional or bespoke as you wish it to be.

Who officiates a civil marriage ceremony?

Civil marriages are officiated by a registrar or assistant registrar who will assist you on every step of your journey to marriage – from accepting your marriage notices, creating your marriage ceremony with you, and issuing your marriage certificate after the big day. Registrars are unique in our ability to help with both the legal and the ceremonial aspects of marriage.

Where and when can a civil marriage take place?

A civil marriage can take place on any date, at any time, and in any imaginable location within the Aberdeen City or Aberdeenshire area. We can even hold ceremonies at sea…!

Can we choose what to have in our ceremony?

Absolutely - you have tremendous choice in tailoring your marriage ceremony to make the occasion even more personal and to your taste. From readings to musical performances, from quaichs to handfasting, we love to get creative with couples, offering advice, guidance and reassurance as you decide upon the ceremony that’s right for you – at no extra cost. And no matter how colourful the occasion, we always ensure that the moment you say “I do” is a solemn and sincere commitment between two people in love.

Can we include a religious reading?

Yes, you can. Traditionally, civil marriages were entirely non-religious. Today, a religious reading or a song may be permitted during proceedings. Please discuss this with your registrar.

Aberdeen City Registrars

0300 020 0292 www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/registrars

Aberdeenshire Registrars

01467 537840 www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/registrars (find us on Facebook!)