1. A Civil marriage, which is performed by a Registrar, previously could only be performed in a Registry Office. A Registrar can now however, conduct a Civil ceremony in any venue that has been licenced for this purpose e.g. a hotel or a castle, but this can also be a marquee in your back garden, in your sitting room or wherever! Provided the local authority have visited and approved the venue for the purpose of a Civil marriage (and there is a Registrar willing to go there and conduct the ceremony), the boundaries of possibilities are now endless!  See Approved Glasgow Venues for some ideas of pre-approved venues.

 

2. A Religious ceremony performed by a Priest, Minister or other Clergyman can, theoretically, take place anywhere, either in or out-of-doors. It should be mentioned however, that different Churches and individual clergymen may have their own views on performing Wedding ceremonies in locations other than in their Church or marrying couples who are from outwith their parish. Couples should contact the Priest or Minister concerned to ensure that he or she would be willing to carry out the ceremony should either of the above points be relevant.

(N.B.To marry in a Catholic Church there are a number of laws: both parties have to be free to marry i.e. not bound by any previous bond or vow; one of the parties must be Catholic; a Catholic may marry only in his/her own parish; if a Catholic wishes to marry out with their own parish, both parish priests must be in agreement; a couple wishing to marry must give at least six months notice to the parish priest directly; pre-nuptial preparation will take place in accordance with the law laid down by the Church. There is no fee to marry in any Catholic church. If a couple wishes to do so, they may make a donation to the Church.)

3. For the past two years in Scotland, Humanist ceremonies have been legally binding, although it should be noted that they are not yet legally binding in England or Wales. Scotland is one of only six countries in the world where Humanist marriage ceremonies are legal (the others are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and certain states of the USA).  Humanist weddings have the same legal status as Civil and Religious weddings as long as they are conducted by an HSS Celebrant, who has been authorized by the Registrar General of Scotland, and can take place anywhere 'safe and decent'.

For a fuller explanation of the Legalities of marrying in Scotland, see our Wedding Legalities page.
For some popular Wedding Readings and Poems and Wedding Music to enhance your Ceremony, click on the links to see some examples, and use our Ceremony Music page to contact some local Wedding singers and musicians.

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