There are legal obligations you must include in all legal marriage or civil partnership ceremonies.
Most parts of a ceremony are not legally required, and can change depending on what you want.
Language
The marriage ceremony can be conducted in:
- English
- any other language, including Gaelic, Scots, British Sign Language
All parties including the celebrant must be able to understand the language, with the services of a translator if necessary.
Wording of vows
There are no legally prescribed words to use for 'marriage vows' in Scotland.
Marriage declarations
A marriage ceremony must include 2 declarations. A declaration by:
- the parties getting married
- the celebrant
The declaration by the parties must be in the presence of:
- each other
- the celebrant
- two witnesses
The wording of the declarations depends on whether the marriage is for a mixed or same-sex couple.
Mixed-sex couple
The declaration by the parties must include that either:
- they accept each other as husband and wife
- they accept each other in marriage
You can also include both declarations.
The declaration by the celebrant must then include that either:
- the parties are then husband and wife
- the parties are then married
They can also include both declarations.
Same-sex couple
The declaration by the parties must include that they accept each other in marriage.
The declaration by the celebrant must then include that the parties are then married.
Structure of a ceremony
The structure of a ceremony can vary depending on whether it is:
- a civil marriage
- a religious or belief marriage
- a civil partnership ceremony
It's also possible to have a civil partnership without a ceremony. You'll still need to make arrangements with a registrar.
