Real Life Scottish Weddings
Inspiration From Those Who Have Gone Before You
Every couple is unique and so every ceremony we hold is unique. Here are some weddings from the last few years to inspire you and highlight that whether your dream wedding is indoors or outdoors, traditional or alternative, large or small, simple or complex, with as much help and guidance as you need and want from us, you shall have the ceremony you wish for.
Each ceremony featured below includes a photograph, an overview of the ceremony by us, and a few words from the couple afterwards. Keep scrolling down to see them all. And if you’d like to see more, let us know and we can email you. Enjoy!
Gary and Fran chose a Simple Ceremony
Held on GLEN BRITTLE BEACH, Isle of Skye
Photo by Will Russell
There were two things that stood out as being most important to Gary when he first called to enquire about what was possible for a wedding - being able to make his vows to Fran in his own words and his own way, and being outdoors on a beach. Come rain or shine, it didn’t matter what the weather did.
Gary and Fran didn’t want a lot of fuss or frill around the readings and vows that were most meaningful to them, or to have marriage defined in a way they couldn’t relate to. They wanted to just be with each other, their closest family and friends, and to be in nature.
A group of around forty of us huddled together on the stunning Glen Brittle beach. During the short ceremony two friends read readings chosen by Gary and Fran, then Gary and Fran shared their own very personal acknowledgements and vows with one another, and exchanged the gift of rings.
After the pronouncement of them as husband and wife we clapped and they kissed, then we fought the wind to sign the paperwork, and then all drove back to the house they’d rented, to warm up and to toast them with champagne.
Afterwards they said -
‘We both want you to know that our wedding was simply perfect, everything we'd hoped for - including the brisk weather which seemed to bring the beach alive. Your part was crucial and you played it beautifully. Thank you so much for you wise words, caring approach and genuinely thoughtful ceremony. We both felt that you belonged in our crowd of friends, and for us that is a special recognition. Please keep doing what you're doing and continue to inspire and make people happy. You helped to create a memory that we shall never forget and all of it was wonderful.’
Stuart and Fiona chose a Themed Ceremony
Held in the garden of THAINSTONE HOUSE HOTEL
Photos supplied by Stuart and Fiona
It was early September and the weather was extremely kind to us and the sun shone for Stuart and Fiona’s outdoor wedding, and we all felt excited when the music which announced Fiona’s arrival began and we watched her car approach. Elderly guests sat throughout the ceremony and all other guests stood, whilst Stuart, Fiona and Angie stood on the steps leading down to the garden.
We used a PA system for the music we played to begin, end and during the ceremony, as music was a crucial part of the ceremony. Angie also used the PA system to speak. Stuart and Fiona created the most beautiful and simple yet unusual orders of service which we used for guests to join in saying a Celtic blessing over them both to begin and end the ceremony with. Two family members shared readings during the address, as did Stuart, who shared a piece he’d written about love.
Another unique aspect of the ceremony was that after Angie had pronounced Stuart and Fiona husband and wife, they led everyone over to a large tree stump where they both signed the paperwork, and lit a candle in a stormlamp together.
Afterwards they said -
'Right from the start, Angie made us feel relaxed and reassured that the Interfaith Ministry and in particular Angie, was the right choice for us. The Ministry matched our beliefs and Angie's warm and really caring approach gave us confidence that our marriage would be very special and particular to us and it was. We both felt comforted that support would be there no matter what we needed as the big day approached. Angie’s guidance was invaluable in creating our own ceremony and the way she pulled it together was perfect.
Every meeting with Angie made us feel special and unique - she is such a good listener and picks up on the important and sometimes unspoken things. She really got to know us so that in the final preparations and on the day it was like being married by a good friend and that was really nice. So many of our guests and friends said how unique, emotional and romantic they found our ceremony. Just as many said how great they thought Angie was, especially her voice and demeanour. So, thank-you, Angie for helping us create a fantastic day and equally fantastic start to our married life together.'
Hugo and Maggie chose a bespoke Tailor-made Ceremony
Held at AUCHNAGAIRN, near Inverness
Photo used courtesy of www.dukestudios.co.uk
Hugo and Maggie’s ceremony was a wonderful celebration and coming together of around 200 family and friends from all over the world, notably their home countries of England and America, so Hugo and Maggie wanted a ceremony that everyone could participate in and enjoy.
Held in the magnificent ballroom of the elegant House Auchnagairn, they wanted a ceremony to both reflect their love of nature and to feel Celtic in some way given they both have Scottish ancestry.
We wove three meaningful readings into the wedding address, with three family members and friends speaking. The Scottish piper who piped Maggie in, was also part of a group of musicians who played and sang at two points during the ceremony, and again at the end of the ceremony as Hugo and Maggie processed out of the room.
DDuring the ceremony we acknowledged the story of how they met. We heard what they love about one another, and during a handfasting ritual inspired by nature and created just for Hugo and Maggie, they exchanged their personal vows, followed by a blessing of their hands and their exchange of rings.
Afterwards they said -
‘We wanted a ceremony that wasn't religious, but that was very personal. Angie was a perfect fit for what we were looking for - she was able to tailor our ceremony to our exact needs. Whilst we had only met Angie over skype video (so 21st Century!) we felt instantly at ease with her and felt a strong connection throughout the planning process. Angie was an absolute joy to work with - taking care to help us think through the commitment we were about to make and the different ways we could create a shared experience with our closest friends and family.
After the ceremony, we received so many comments from our guests about how wonderful it was - everyone appreciated the personal sentiments and stories that captured the essence of us as a couple. We would recommend Angie to anyone looking for someone to help them create a meaningful and memorable marriage ceremony.’
LIKE TO SEE SOME MORE REAL WEDDING EXAMPLES?
We have many, many more ceremony photos, overviews and testimonials we can show you - by email if you live a distance away, or in a coffee table book if you come to meet us at home or at a Wedding Exhibition. Please let Angie know if you’d like her to email you some more, or if you’d like to meet. We hope that they illustrate just what’s possible for you!