Today, wedding traditions have changed:
— the wedding ceremony is very similar to the Russian one. The Scots are a superstitious people. They believe that the best time for weddings is the period when the moon is growing. May is considered an unfavorable month for weddings;
— Scots celebrate their wedding day on ordinary days. They believe that weekends are made for relaxation;
— the groom gives the bride a brooch to prove his serious intentions. Instead, a silver spoon can be given, which is a symbol of wealth and prosperity;
— the bride buys only a new dress, no rent;
— if the girl receives a ring by inheritance, the groom does not need to buy another one;
— the groom has a very unusual suit: tie, socks, white shirt, jacket, bag. He also makes sure to wear a pleated skirt called a klit. Its color corresponds to the color of the clan of the family;
— men in the Celts perform a dance with swords. As a rule, professional dancers are invited for this;
— at the end of the wedding, the groom puts a special shawl on his beloved’s shoulders, which is fastened with pins made of pure silver.
Scottish wedding: choosing a venue
There are many beautiful places to celebrate a wedding in this country. One of the most popular places among the locals is the village of Greta Green, where lovers were once secretly married. This tradition has been kept since the mid-seventeenth century.
Want a royal wedding? Then check out the unique and unforgettable Edinburgh. Here many hotels offer wedding packages. Also in Scotland there are wedding agencies, which for a certain fee will organize a wedding for you. Among the most famous five-star hotels it is worth highlighting the following:
- Caledonian;
- The Glass House;
- The George;
- Prestonfield;
- Balmoral.
Green botanical gardens
Glasgow and Edinburgh have very beautiful botanical gardens that are available to rent out for wedding celebrations. The event can be held amongst butterflies and flowers, outdoors in the fresh air. Pavilions are also popular.
«Home of the Art Lovers»
An interesting and unusual place that is visited by tourists from all over the world. Weddings and other celebrations are held here. The house was built many years ago by Rennie Mackintosh, who is considered one of the best designers in Scotland. «The Art Lovers House» will be an ideal place to hold a wedding. It has been listed as one of the best wedding venues by Independent magazine.
Wedding at the royal castle
As mentioned above, there are over three hundred ancient castles in Scotland. Almost all of them are rented out. Here you can hold both the marriage ceremony and the solemnization part.
Scottish castles are perfect for weddings. Do you remember fairy tales about princes and princesses? Now you have the opportunity to make your dream come true! In Scotland, you can rent luxurious carriages with white horses and elegant coachmen. You can walk the red carpet to a luxurious castle surrounded by picturesque nature.
Original weddings in Scotland
The peculiarity of this country is that you can have a really original and unique wedding. Air force planes, hot air balloons, parachute jumps, protected parks, ships are at your disposal. Imagine landing on the castle grounds in a hot air balloon or airplane. It will be something amazing!
Most often castles are chosen for the solemn event. One of the most famous and luxurious is Inverlochy castle. Its windows offer a magnificent view of crystal lakes and lush green valleys. The castle is located at the foot of the peak called Ben Nevis. Young couples from all over the world come here. They dream of getting married to the sound of the drum and bagpipes.
There are many castles in Scotland that are rented out for weddings. Among the most popular ones are the following:
- Dunnotar — in the past was the most impregnable fort in the country.
- Glamis — one of the most popular places among tourists. The castle is surrounded by beautiful gardens.
- Balmoral — the Queen herself lives here from time to time. The castle is only open from April to June.
- Dunvegan — an ancestral castle of the famous Macleod family. It is located on the Isle of Skye. The views from the castle are spectacular.
- Crates is a castle located near Aberdeen. It is surrounded by a green garden, which can be the backdrop for a photo shoot.
When choosing a castle in Scotland, always check what period it is open. Wedding agencies, which have useful connections and valuable skills in organizing such events, are always ready to organize your wedding competently.
What do I need to make an official registration in Scotland?
If you do not have EU or UK citizenship, you will first need to obtain a special visa with which to register your marriage. This is called a Marriage Visit Visa.
When obtaining this visa, you must enter into an agreement to rent the venue where the ceremony will take place. The ceremony can take place at any place that has a license for this activity.
After obtaining this visa, you can apply to the authorities who register marriages. The minimum application period is 15 days, the maximum is 3 months before the date of registration.
List of documents for marriage registration:
-birth certificate
-copy of passport and visa
-copy of all pages of the internal passport
-divorce certificate (if there has been a divorce)
-Death certificate of spouse (if one or both partners are widowed)
In Scotland, unlike in England, there is no mandatory rule that newlyweds must live in the place where the registration will take place before the ceremony. Although they may be asked to go to the authorities 3-4 days before the registration of the marriage to discuss any nuances. A prerequisite for marriage in Scotland is to have two witnesses.
And the application for marriage registration can be submitted by post, that is, without personal presence.
Any documents that you provide not in English must be translated and notarized.
The cost of organizing a formal and symbolic marriage ceremony in Scotland you can specify by filling out the application form below or writing to us love@festadiluci.com