How To Elope In Scotland?
Locations, guide, and all the important details to know when planning your Adventure Elopement in Scotland | Scotland Wedding Photographer and Videographer
Elopements are an opportunity for those who want to say "I do" without the stress of wedding planning. It is also ideal for adventurous couples that prefer to start their marriage in a unique location rather than the traditional wedding venue.
If you have wrapped your mind around the idea of eloping, now you only need to choose the perfect location. Today I present you a guide for your Scotland elopement, with all the details you need to know and ideas for your ceremony location.
Why eloping in Scotland is a great idea?
Scotland is a country located in the northern area of the island of Great Britain, and it is part of the United Kingdom. A diverse country is known for its coastal landscapes, historic towns, and acres of forest on its countryside.
One of the biggest reasons to elope here is that you can get easily married wherever you choose, from a mountain top to a castle or a cliff. Compared with other countries where most of the areas are restricted, or you need to go through a painful permit soliciting process.
Your civil, religious, and same-sex marriage will be legally recognised worldwide if done by a registered marriage celebrant. This is another reason that makes Scotland an attractive location for elopements.
Scotland offers many scenic views and romantic locations for your ceremony. Many castles are available in secluded locations surrounded by nature, ideal for an intimate elopement. And if history is not your forte, you will find a natural location that will serve as an ideal backdrop for your ceremony.
Explore Some Of The Most Adventurous and Beautiful Scotland Weddings, Elopements, and Engagements
HOW TO PLAN YOUR SCOTLAND ELOPEMENT?
1) Choose the best location that speaks to your heart
2) Book a photographer you can connect with. Send us an inquiry for a FREE consultation
3) We’ll talk and plan on EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW to make your elopement the best day ever
4) Complete and return a Marriage Notice form
5) We’ll adventure around the location you picked, take in the beauty of Scotland and create timeless memories
6) Eat the cake, pop the champagne, and celebrate your marriage! Yay!!!
Best time of the year to elope
Scotland is a beautiful place to visit throughout the year, especially if you enjoy cool weather. It has an average day time temperature of 5°C-41°F in winter and 17°C-63°F in summer. Your choice should be made according to the aesthetic you prefer for your elopement. Here is a monthly guide:
December thru February are the colder months. The east side of the country and the highlands will be under snow and with low temperatures. Consider that December is the month with the shortest amount of daylight, and January is the rainiest month of the year. It is low season so you will find available accommodation and fewer crowds in popular places.
March thru May are cool and dry months. The mountains still have a bit of snow, and spring begins to offer the first blooms in March, but if you want to enjoy foliage and flowers at their best, May is the best month to visit. April is usually the driest month of the year and considered low season.
June thru August is the peak season for Scotland. With the arrival of warmer temperatures and long days (an average of 17 hours of daylight), tourists pack the country mainly during July and August. It is the warmest season, but rain can still fall depending on your location, so be prepared.
September thru November is a great time to visit too, as you will find fewer visitors and still some warm temperatures, especially during September. October offers beautiful fall landscapes and colder temperatures; you can expect rainy days on the last days of the month. November is a cold month, and it is the month that welcomes the first snow of the season, short days arrive with around 7 hours of sunlight per day.
As you see, each season has much to offer, and you should plan your elopement considering all possibilities and the specific location of your ceremony. If you look for intimacy and warm weather, late spring and summer (May, June, September) are the best time to visit. And if you want a snowy winter elopement, December and January will be ideal.
Choosing a location.
This is important to carry on with the rest of your plans, from paperwork to vendors, you need to specify your ceremony's location to continue. As written before, Scotland offers many different locations, and the hard part will be picking one. My advice is that you start by setting the general idea you have in mind. It can be a city, a castle, a waterfall, a beach, a forest, or even a cliff. Once you have that vision, you can start looking.
Legal marriage.
If you wish to tie the knot legally in Scotland, you can do it even if you are not a country citizen. Here is a general guide to performing a legal marriage:
Both must be 16 years old or older.
Same and opposite-sex couples can get married.
You should not be currently married or in a civil partnership with someone else.
Not closely related.
You can have a civil or religious ceremony.
To start the process, you must:
Find a venue.
Complete and return a Marriage Notice form and required documents at least 28 days before the wedding.
Documents needed:
Birth certificate.
Proof of address.
Proof of nationality.
A certificate to state that you are free to marry under the law of your country.
*If your documents are not in English, you must translate them.
Complete and return a Declaration of immigration status if you are not from the UK, European Union, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.
Get the marriage schedule. For civil ceremonies, your district registrar will keep the schedule until marriage. In a religious or belief ceremony, you must collect it in person from the registration office. The marriage schedule is issued no earlier than seven days before the date of the marriage.
Perform your ceremony in front of a registrar and with the presence of two witnesses. A civil ceremony must be conducted by district registrars appointed by the registrar general. An approved celebrant must conduct religious or belief ceremonies.
Registration of ceremony. For religious or belief marriage, you must return the signed schedule to the district registrar within three days of marriage. In a civil marriage, the registrar will keep it and return it.
If you travel to get married in Scotland, a visa or permit might be required. It will depend on where you're from, who you're marrying, and whether you intend to stay in the UK afterwards.
Itinerary.
Now that you know when and where you are getting married, it is time to schedule the activities of your big day and the rest of your stay. The great thing about elopements is that not only you get married, but your honeymoon begins instantly after saying I do.
Photography and videography
A detail you must not forget while planning your unique ceremony is who will document every moment. You shouldn’t only find a professional photographer and videographer that feels comfortable with the site of your ceremony but also someone that you connect with. Most couples planning their wedding state that dealing with numerous suppliers is probably the most confusing part of the planning, so why not consider hiring a photographer who can provide you with a combined photo and video package to reduce the hassle?
Other important details.
Planning an elopement requires less time and energy than a traditional wedding, but still, you must find some vendors and arrange accommodation, paperwork, and transport. Try to make a list of all the needs you might have and find the best vendors in town.
Another important thing is that you need two witnesses to celebrate your union if you decide to elope solo, just the two of you, you can ask your photographer and assistant to sing as witnesses.
What are the popular Elopement areas in Scotland?
1. The Isle of Skye
A 50 miles long island located in the Highlands of Scotland is famous for its beautiful landscapes and villages. You will find coast, mountains, and cloudy skies that will make your wedding pictures magical. The wildlife and natural beauty attract many tourists during peak season, find accommodation early to ensure your place, and be prepared for sudden weather changes.
2. Glencoe
Also located in the Highlands of Scotland, this village has the most romantic scenarios for your ceremony. This narrow valley offers waterfalls and mountain peaks, also calm waters surrounded by forest. You will feel far from civilization while remaining close to it.
3. Cairngorm National Park Reserve
Located in the heart of the country, it is an ideal choice for a fall elopement. There are three major rivers in the area, many lochs, and five of the UK's six highest mountains. I am sure you will find the ideal spot for your ceremony at one of its 4,500sq km of nature and forest.
4. Scottish Highlands
The mountainous region of Scotland, home to historical sites and beautiful landscapes, includes lochs, museums, coastline, woodlands, and prehistorical burial sites. Here you will find a place for every budget. This area is also known for its production of whiskey. You can arrange a visit to one of its many distilleries.
FAQs
Why should we elope in Scotland?
If you are looking for a laid-back vibe with beautiful sceneries and endless adventures for your elopement then Hawaii is the place to go! From endless beautiful locations on the island to the chill vibe this tropical heaven can bring, Hawaii is the best place to elope in the U.S. Heck. Hawaii is the best place to elope in the WORLD. These islands are truly magical places and no wonder why everyone refers to this place as paradise or heaven on earth. With so many different sceneries to explore, you can go on any adventure you want for your Hawaii elopement.
How much does it cost to elope in Scotland?
On average elopements cost anywhere from £5,000 to £15,000, though you can legally get married for as little as £100. For more info on this topic, check out our blog on “How Much Does it Cost to Elope?” And remember, however much money you spend on your wedding/elopement day doesn’t say anything about who you are or what your values are.
Do you need an officiant to elope in Scotland?
Yes! Your officiant (Celebrant) must be licensed in Scotland for the ceremony to be legal.
How many witnesses do you need for a Scotland elopement?
You will need two witnesses but this could be anyone! Your photographer/videographer can also be a witness.
Do we need an elopement or wedding permit to get married in Scotland?
This depends on where you’re thinking of eloping to or taking photos at so be sure to double check this with your photographer/celebrant.
When is the best time to elope in Scotland?
The best time to elope in Scotland is when you want to! We truly think April - June is the ideal time to elope in Scotland since you can get more warm days and this timeframe is also better for avoiding the peak tourist season of the summer when school is out. September - November is a great time to get moody elopement photos and the weather is still warm enough to be enjoyable.
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