Getting married & holding your PapaKåta Outdoor Wedding Ceremony in Scotland
Getting married in Scotland?
We’re so delighted and proud that as a Scottish based supplier the outdoor wedding ceremonies that take place in, or with the backdrop to our Teepees and Sperry Tents in Scotland can be legally binding ceremonies. Here Gerrie Douglas-Scott of Humanist Weddings Scotland answers our questions and explains the Scottish marriage system. Both Gerrie and Susan of Humanist Weddings Scotland have worked with us in the past, having married many couples from around the world, including same sex couples. As the first Women to be married in Scotland are also quite the authority on Equal Marriage in Scotland.
PapaKåta couple Aimee & David’s Ceremony held by Susan of Humanist Weddings Scotland at Greenbank Garden, Scotland & Captured by Emma Lawson Photography
Where do you start when planning your ceremony?
Find a celebrant that you feel a connection with. They are very close to you in the most precious moment of your life together. You are the centre of the universe at that moment – nothing and no one else exists. It is precious. In Scotland, you can be married by any celebrant who is authorised by the Registrar General of Scotland. I am a Humanist celebrant which means that the ceremony is about you two and what means most to you, it is very personal. You don’t need to have a label and you don’t have to belong to anything. Just belong to each other.
Sarah & James’s outdoor Ceremony held at Mains of Taymouth, captured by Rooftop Mosaic Photography*
*Visit the PapaKåta Gallery to see more Teepee & Sperry images HERE
How do you ensure your ceremony is legal?
In Scotland, you can be married legally by a celebrant who is authorised by the Registrar General of Scotland – anywhere in Scotland. We are not constrained to licensed venues so a PapaKåta Tipi or Sperry tent is ideal in the venue of your choice. The Celebrant or Officiant can be a religious minister or priest, Civil Registrar or a celebrant of a ‘belief system”. The most popular in Scotland are Humanist Celebrants but there are many others, for example, interfaith or spiritualist. There are around 8 Humanist organisations in Scotland, all of which have authorised celebrants. The Humanist Fellowship of Scotland is a warm, relaxed, friendly and professional group who love our couples and are personal and focus on the wishes of our couples. We can help you find a celebrant for your date and venue. You do not need to have a ceremony with a registrar beforehand. The whole ceremony is legal as long as you have these 7 things and say these 7 words:
- 2 x People who love each other and want to get married.
- 1 x Celebrant who is legally authorised to marry you.
- 1 x Marriage Schedule issued by the registrar in the district of your venue or ceremony spot.
- 2 x Witnesses. You can bring them or we can stop a couple of hillwalkers or passers-by to help!
- 1 x Special pen with the special ink. Don’t worry I have one in my bag at all times. The ink never fades from the page and your shaky signature with the fountain pen will be stored in Edinburgh for all time.
We always help our couples to choose their own vows. We have lots to choose from to inspire you. On Monday my lovely couple Kirsty and Graham said the vows from Lord of the Rings – not a dry eye in the house!
‘When Winter comes, and singing ends, when darkness falls at last; When broken is the barren bough, and light and labour past; I’ll look for thee, and wait for thee, until we meet again; Together we will take the road beneath the bitter rain. Together we will take the road that leads into the West; And far away will find a land where both our hearts may rest.’
Often couples choose to incorporate Scottish or celtic traditions like Handfasting (tying the knot) or drinking from the Quaich (the Scottish friendship cup)
There are 7 words that make your ceremony legal that you have to say and these are often said when exchanging rings: the first 7 are the crucial ones.
“I (name) accept you (name) in marriage to be my husband/wife and I give you this ring as a symbol of (for example) my love and respect.
Sperry Ceremony setting, captured by Mark Wallis Photography*
*Visit the PapaKåta Gallery to see more images from Amy & Kim’s Sperry Wedding HERE
How to find a venue for your ceremony?
Online searching, visiting, getting recommendations, cost considerations and our celebrants can tell you about ones that they have been to in all parts of Scotland – 100s of venues. Be sure to check out PapaKåta’s Little Black Book for suggestions of some fabulous venues in Scotland.
Emma & Gaz’s Teepee Ceremony at Ravensheugh Log Cabins, captured by John Johnston Photography
*Visit the PapaKåta Gallery to see more Teepee & Sperry images HERE
Can you get married legally anywhere in Scotland?
Yes, it is one of the very best things about Scottish marriage law. Allowing you to hold your ceremony and celebration in a spot that’s unique to you, holds special memories, or is one of Scotland’s outstanding areas of natural beauty – with a PapaKåta Teepee or Sperry Tent (or both) of course!
Do you have to be Scottish/ a UK citizen to legally get married in Scotland?
Absolutely not. We marry people from all over the world. We also conduct many Equal Marriages of couples who can’t legally marry in their own country. As the first women married in Scotland – Gerrie and Susan Douglas-Scott – this is a particular delight and privilege.
PapaKåta couple Amy & Kim’ following their Equal Marriage Sperry Ceremony, captured by Mark Wallis Photography *
*Visit the PapaKåta Gallery to see more images from Amy & Kim’s Sperry Wedding HERE
For more information on planning your Ceremony in Scotland visit:
www.humanistweddingscotland.com , email Gdouglasscott@ymail.com or call Gerrie 07739 826377 or Susan 07711 470196
For more information on planning your PapaKåta Wedding in Scotland email: tellmemore@papakata.co.uk or call 01738 479803
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