Traditional Ceremony | Lesbian and Gay Marriage in Scotland

When Jim and Andy married in their dream wedding one of the most touching aspects of their ceremony was their choice to follow in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents and exchange very traditional church vows – “to have and to hold, from this day forwards, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health” – these words and having the freedom to choose them was a huge deal, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

But don't imagine for a moment it was all seriousness - no! We had a traditional setting in Brodie Castle, and traditional touches like kilts, a piper, hats and frocks, but the ceremony began with a bit of Shirley Bassey, and a bit of Eddie Reader - Jim and Andy danced their way up the aisle together, much to the surprise and delight of their guests, and this really set the tone for a ceremony which was a journey of tears, laughter, depth and fun.

Have The Wedding of Your Dreams

If your idea of a traditional wedding is to have a touch of formality and hold the ceremony in a church or castle, we can tell you about castles and privately owned churches where you are free to have a full white wedding or the wedding of your choice.

Dressing up in suits and kilts and wedding dresses may be a must for you, but you can express your idea of tradition in any way you please - through the location, the decoration, the detail or the format and wording of your ceremony.

Anna and Rachel didn't know what the other was wearing until they both made their entrances on the day, and they had chosen quite traditional, long, white dresses, which looked fantastic. But equally, you can wear anything smart or casual. We don't restrict your ideas in any way - it's up to you to decide what tradition means to you.
Choose Aspects to Suit You

You could choose to have a traditional style wedding format in an alternative setting, or a very personal, unusual ceremony in a formal church setting. Whether it’s the content of your ceremony, or the setting for your ceremony that you feel is traditional, we’re here to help.

Mark and Jules had a special connection with the west coast of Scotland, specifically the area of Applecross, and were then faced with the difficult decision of whether to go alternative and have their ceremony on the beach, or traditional and have their ceremony in church. In the end they had the best of both worlds. We hiked to the beach, in our waterproofs, and held a Celtic handfasting. Then we all went back to our accommodation and got changed in readiness for the church service which included an exchange of vows and rings and the legal signing.

Applecross is just one lovely same sex friendly church we know of.
A Traditional Format?

A traditional ceremony would usually include the brides’ or grooms’ entrance to music, words of welcome, words to settle and join everyone which could be a prayer or could be non religious wording, a wedding address which might include a message or your story, the rituals, readings and further music of your choice, and the vows of your choice. Then there would usually be music when you process back down the aisle as Mr and Mr or Mrs and Mrs. Whatever being traditional means to you we’d love to help you get clear about what to include in your ceremony.

When Megan and Elisabeth were married on Nairn beach, it was a location close to their hearts, where they regularly walked their dogs - and though it was tempting, they left the furry family at home on the day. They just had themselves to please and they included a handful of traditional touches - their long white wedding dresses and an exchange of vows and rings. And that hopefully highlights that you can have any traditional touches to suit you. An outdoor ceremony on the beach will not be everyone's cup of tea, and had they wished, they could have had a very formal religious ceremony in a beach setting, but they preferred something personal.