The legal stuff you need to know

Scotland's laws offer you the opportunity to be married in a religious, civil or humanist service and following the Marriage (Scotland) Act 2002, you can apply to be married almost anywhere. Whatever style of Scottish wedding you chose there are decisions to be made and legal requirements you will have to fulfil before the big day. For example, a civil ceremony can only be conducted by a Registrar authorised by the Registrar General. A religious ceremony - Christian or non-Christian - can only be conducted by a minister, priest or other person authorised to do so by the Marriages (Scotland) Act 1977.

Submission of notices

You are required by law to submit notice forms to the Registrar in the district where you plan to marry. This must be done in the three months before your wedding date, but no later than 15 days before the day.

Marrying in Scotland from overseas

If you are travelling to Scotland from overseas, you should obtain a certificate issued by your local civil authority that states there is no obstructing factor to your marriage (for example, documentary evidence that any previous marriages in another country have been ended).

General Register Office for Scotland

Full information on Marriage in Scotland is available on the website of the General Register Office for Scotland. The site holds a list of all Registration Offices in Scotland, as well as the option to download the required explanatory leaflets and prescribed forms.