What form does a marriage ceremony take in Scotland?

There is no legally prescribed form of words to be used in relation to 'marriage vows' in Scotland. The marriage ceremony can be conducted in English - or in any other language (including Gaelic, Scots, British Sign Language), so long as all parties including the celebrant can understand the language (with the services of a translator if necessary).

A Civil Marriage Ceremony

Whether you are planning your civil ceremony to take place in a registrar’s office, or at a place agreed with the registration authority e.g. a hotel, a beauty spot or in your home, you may choose to personalise your civil ceremony.

Registrars will be happy to assist in the planning of your civil ceremony, whether you choose to have a simple, quiet ceremony, or a larger event. It is always advisable to let the registrar know your wishes for your ceremony well in advance of the date of your marriage.

You may incorporate readings, poetry, music and wedding customs or indeed your own personal vows to one another, in addition to the legal declarations you must make. In many Local Authorities the registrar will offer to provide you with samples of content options.

Couples may be permitted to have religious readings or hymns forming part of their marriage proceedings.  Any content of a religious nature would not be carried out by the registrar.  Usually couples prefer family members or friends to do this.

The order of the ceremony can be personalised.  An example of content often included in a civil ceremony is detailed below.

• Arrival of Groom/Party 1 and Guests
• Arrival of Bride/Party 2 and Attendants
• Welcome and Introduction by Authorised Registrar
• Definition of Marriage
• Legal Marriage Declarations
• Exchange of Rings
• Pronouncement of Marriage
• Signing of the Marriage Schedule

A Religious or Belief Marriage Ceremony

Religious or belief marriage ceremonies vary greatly, depending on the religion or belief involved.

They include marriages by celebrants of many religious denominations and a wide variety of belief bodies.  Belief bodies include but are not limited to humanist, pagan, interfaith and spiritualist.  The detail of the ceremony will be decided by the celebrant.

There are statutory aspects which must be included in all legal marriage ceremonies.

Mixed Sex Marriage

The ceremony must include:

• a declaration by the parties, in the presence of each other, the celebrant and two witnesses, that they either accept each other as husband and wife or accept each other in marriage or make both declarations; and
• a declaration by the celebrant, after the foregoing declaration, that the parties are then husband and wife or are then married, or make both declarations.

Same sex marriage

The ceremony must include:

• a declaration by the parties, in the presence of each other, the celebrant and two witnesses, that they accept each other in marriage; and
• a declaration by the celebrant, after the foregoing declaration, that the parties are then married.

Who can solemnise a marriage?

Only celebrants approved by the Register General under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 can solemnise marriages.

Anyone who wishes to become an approved marriage celebrant or couples seeking to have a relative or friend solemnise their marriage should refer to the guidance on Who can be a Celebrant.