What your ceremony must include

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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:

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 form of words to be used in relation to 'marriage vows' in Scotland.

Marriage declarations

A marriage ceremony must include 2 declarations. A declaration by:

The declaration by the parties must be in the presence of:

The wording of these depends on whether the marriage is between:

The declaration by the parties must include that either:

You can also include both declarations.

The declaration by the celebrant must then include that either:

They can also include both declarations.

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:

It's also possible to have a civil partnership without a ceremony. You'll still need to make arrangements with a registrar.