One-of-a-kind Ceremonies
Intimate, Honest, Deeply Engaging & Beautiful…
…stories that share the best of who you are.
My ceremonies are completely bespoke, written with you at the heart.
Legal Weddings
I'm authorised to Legally marry you in Scotland
Pick your date, choose your venue (or ideal location), and then get planning the ceremony. This is the part where you get to choose what you say, and you can make it the cornerstone of your day.
The wonderful thing about getting married in Scotland is you can get married anywhere that is dignified and safe, with landowners’ permission. Have you been dreaming of a Castle on a hill, or a wee nook in the woods, perhaps you’re eloping to a secluded beach. Wherever your heart desires, you can have a ceremony that aligns with who you are as a couple and tells your story of love.
You don’t have to arrange a separate ceremony with the Registrar as I am legally authorised to conduct your wedding, yay!
What are the legal parts?
Here’s what you’re going to need:
- You and your partner 😉
- Two witnesses (anyone over the age of 16)
- Someone authorised to conduct the ceremony (ahem, that would be me)
- The correct legal paperwork
The crucial part of the ceremony is when we conduct your “vows”, there are words that we must include to make your marriage legal, and then sign the marriage schedule, the rest of the script, and what you want to say as vows, or promises is entirely up to you.
You DO need to get official forms from the Registrar for your wedding. You can find out more by having a look HERE.
You must submit your Marriage Notice (M10) forms 12 weeks before your wedding to the local registrar in the district you intend to marry and pay the fee for processing the paperwork. This can be done, at the very latest, 29 days before the wedding.
Once the registrar has your Marriage Notice, they will prepare the Marriage Schedule which is the most important piece of paper (there’s no legal marriage without it) that you and your partner must collect from the registrar no more than 7 days prior to the wedding. Only you and/or your partner can collect the Marriage Schedule.
Whatever you do, don’t forget to bring the Marriage Schedule to the wedding! This also must be returned to the registrar within 3 days. So, for example, if your wedding is on a Friday, the schedule must be returned on Monday.
I can walk you through the process and help you to make it all as easy and streamlined as possible.
How much will it cost?
The fee for a wedding is £450.00
The fee includes travel up to a 50-mile radius (from Melrose, Scottish Borders), and mileage is 50p per mile thereafter.
NB: for a legal marriage there will be an administration fee for processing your M10 forms with the registrar, which you will pay separately to them.
What's all involved?
The most wonderful thing about a Humanist Ceremony is that you have complete control (except for the legal vows) over what you want to include in your ceremony.
If you already have specific ideas, brilliant, maybe you’re unsure what to include, no worries, that’s what I’m here for to inspire you and to guide you based upon who you are as a couple and as individuals.
You are welcome to include symbolic gestures, such as handfasting or tying the knot or drinking from the quiach. I’ll explain their meaning and history and you might find that there is something significant that you feel you want to include.
There’s the option to include family members and/or your friends who can always bring a smile or raucous laughter to a ceremony, and sometimes, tears of joy.
Whatever you decide to include in your script is completely up to you and entirely yours, making your ceremony totally unique.
What to do next:
- Get in touch to check if I’m available on the date you have in mind, or to ask any questions
- We’ll meet up for an informal chat to make sure we’re the right match and to get to know you a little better, at this stage, should you decide to go ahead you’ll pay a deposit to lock in the date
- Next up, I’ll find out more about you by sending you both individually questions so that I can begin creating the first draft of the script
- Once I’ve created the script, I’ll send you the first draft so that we can amend/change or approve what I’ve written (or if you so wish I can write something that is a total surprise on the day)
- We’ll make sure that the script is exactly what you feel is right for you both, remember this is about you, not me!
- I’ll take you through the process, the legal stuff, and make sure you’ve got everything you need
- I’m always around to help you with any pre-wedding questions or things that you’re unsure about
- Then we get you married, yay, so exciting!
Do we need a rehearsal?
In general, rehearsals aren’t really necessary, however if you do wish to have one, the fee is £100.
Can I elope & get married in Scotland?
The short answer is YES!
There are no residence requirements for someone wishing to marry in Scotland, therefore citizens of any country can marry in any district they choose, provided there is no legal impediment to the marriage (that is, it must not break the law).
Please be aware that you may require visas to travel to Scotland from other countries and the same notice periods apply to register your intent to marry with the local registrar in the district you want to marry in. There may be other requirements, so check out the details by clicking HERE.
Will you marry same-sex couples?
Absolutely! I fully support the LGBTQ+ community and same-sex weddings have been legal in Scotland since 2014, so yay!
Renewal of Vows/Non Legal Weddings
Vow Renewal and Affirmations
Why not recommit your love and devotion in a Vow Renewal ceremony?
This can be a really beautiful way to celebrate your relationship and reinforce the promises that were made years ago, creating a ceremony that truly celebrates your life together, reflecting on your best (and worst) moments, the lives you’ve shared, the stories you want to tell and of course, all of your accomplishments.
Many couples who had small ceremonies during the pandemic are keen to have a bigger ceremony where they can invite a larger group of family and friends, there would be no need to exchange vows, however, we can include symbolic gestures as well as poems, readings, exchange rings, and promises.
How much will it cost?
The fee for Vow Renewal or a Non-Legal Wedding Ceremony is £450.00
The fee includes travel up to a 50-mile radius (from Melrose, Scottish Borders), and mileage is 50p per mile thereafter.
Civil Partnerships
What is a Civil Partnership?
Marriage may not feel right for you, perhaps a civil partnership is a way to go, as you still have the same legal rights as if you were a married couple.
A Civil Partnership is a legal contract entered into willingly by two parties of the same sex, or opposite sex, so long as you are both over 16, and neither of you is already in a civil partnership or married.
In Scotland you don’t need parental permission, nor do you need to be resident in Scotland to register a civil partnership here, although people from outwith the European Economic Area (the EU plus Norway, Iceland, and Lichtenstein) and Switzerland need to obtain permission from the UK immigration authorities to visit to register a civil partnership.
To register a civil partnership, each partner submits a civil partnership notice to a district registrar in the location where you wish to register. A date for registration is arranged with the celebrant – this must be at least 15 days after the date the notices are submitted.
Registration involves a non-religious ceremony, which both the couple and two witnesses at least 16 years of age, must attend. Couples can arrange with the celebrant to modify the ceremony to change the wording and include (non-religious) readings, music, etc.
The legal effects of civil partnership start as soon as the civil partnership schedule is signed at the ceremony.
How much will it cost?
The fee for a Civil Partnership is £450.00
The fee includes travel up to a 50-mile radius (from Melrose, Scottish Borders), and mileage is 50p per mile thereafter.
NB: for a civil partnership there will be an administration fee for processing your CP10 forms with the registrar, which you will pay separately to them.
Naming Ceremonies
Naming Ceremony/Welcoming Ceremony
A naming ceremony is a beautiful way to welcome your new baby to the community and the world. Bring family and close ones together to celebrate the child in a non-religious way.
Alternatively, you may be an adult wishing to change your name and want to celebrate this with your nearest and dearest.
Likewise, this is a beautiful way to welcome an adopted child into the family.
How much will it cost?
The Naming Ceremony fee is £250
The fee includes travel up to a 50-mile radius (from Melrose, Scottish Borders), and mileage is 50p per mile thereafter.
Celebration of Life/Funerals
Celebration of Life/Funeral Ceremony
A Celebration of Life Funeral is a beautiful way to share the story of your loved one in an honourable and dignified way.
It’s an absolute privilege to be able to create a ceremony that captures the life of your loved one and to be able to share the memories as a final farewell.
During this very difficult time, it’s my role to work with you and your family (and the funeral director) to create a ceremony that not only helps you through the process of grief, but to bring comfort and uplift you.
Please do get in touch with your Funeral Director if you’d like me to create and conduct your service.
How much will it cost?
The Celebration of Life/Funeral Ceremony fee is £200
The fee includes travel up to a 50-mile radius (from Melrose, Scottish Borders), and mileage is 50p per mile thereafter.
F.A.Q.
Do I need to become a member of CHA to use your services?
You don’t need to become a member of CHA to use my services, however, if you do wish to join, membership is free!
Get In Touch
Susan Young
CHA Humanist Celebrant authorised to conduct legal weddings in Scotland.