The Scottish Borders offer some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world, making it an ideal location for an intimate wedding or elopement. If you’re planning on eloping in the Scottish Borders, here’s everything you need to know to make it a truly memorable experience.

Before any of these, pick your date and make sure the Celebrant you want for the ceremony is available!

1. Choose Your Location

The Scottish Borders offer a wide range of picturesque locations for an intimate wedding or elopement. From rolling hills to dramatic coastlines, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Some of the most popular locations for elopements in the Scottish Borders include Melrose, situated under the beautiful Eildon Hills, on the grounds of Melrose Abbey, or at the coast at St. Abbs Head.

2. Obtain Your Marriage Schedule

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.

3. Book Your Vendors

Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful wedding ceremony. Consider booking a professional photographer, videographer, florist, cake, and celebrant to make your elopement extra special. You may also want to hire a wedding planner to help you with all the details. Check out Thea from Pink Wellie to help you plan your day.

4. Plan Your Ceremony

Decide on the type of ceremony you want to have. If you’re thinking of a Humanist Ceremony, which is non-religious in nature, you can also consider incorporating Scottish traditions into your ceremony, such as the wearing of a kilt or a handfasting ceremony. Whatever the theme or vision for your wedding, the ceremony is one of the most important parts. Using a Humanist Celebrant to create a script that is totally unique to you will ensure you have lasting memories of what you want to say. This is one of the most special things you can do – without an amazing script, the wedding is just a party so make the ceremony the central focus of your day.

5. Choose Your Accommodation

Whether you’re planning on staying for a few days or a week, you’ll need to choose your accommodation in advance. The Scottish Borders offer a variety of options, from cozy bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels and beautiful stately homes. It’s a super popular destination, just like choosing the date for your wedding, making sure you have the dates you want for your accommodation is just as important.

6. Consider the Weather

The weather in the Scottish Borders can be unpredictable, so make sure to plan accordingly. Bring warm clothes and rain gear, and consider having an indoor backup plan in case of inclement weather. The address of your wedding is super important, if the weather changes and the address on your Marriage Schedule are different, the wedding won’t be legal…. speak to me about this so we can make sure your backup plan is on or at the same address as your Marriage schedule.

7. Make It Legal

After your ceremony, you’ll need to sign your marriage schedule in the presence of two witnesses. This is the part that I sign with you – I’m legally authorised to conduct weddings in Scotland so you don’t have to do anything separate with a registrar to have a legal wedding.

8. Enjoy Your Time in the Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders offer plenty of opportunities for adventure and relaxation. Explore the local countryside, visit historic sites, or simply relax in your cozy accommodation.

Eloping in the Scottish Borders is an unforgettable experience. Follow these tips to make your elopement stress-free and memorable, and enjoy everything that this beautiful region has to offer.

Love Susan xx