We’ve helped local, UK and international couples to put together legally binding ceremonies and those which were for personal enjoyment without the binding documentation. Here’s a bit of information on the whole process of working with our celebrants and the legal timelines you need to be aware of.
In regard to legal Marriage or Civil Partnership there are Civil Ceremonies with Registrars, there are different branches of Humanist Celebrants, there are also Interfaith Ministers, Pagan Celebrants and of course, Agnostic Celebrants.
There are also Independent Celebrants – many couples choose to register their marriage or civil partnership with the Registrar, just as you would a birth, then have a non legal Ceremony led by an Independent Celebrant at another date.
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions (which is always growing!). But if you don’t see what you’re looking for here, give us a shout and we’ll be glad to help!
FAQs
What's the process for working with Solen on a secret elopement society mission?!
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First port of call is to get in touch. We will arrange a suitable time for a chat to discuss your dream day and dates. There’s even an automated system on that link to set us up with a zoom call. (If time difference doesn’t allow you can get me on hello@solenphotography.co.uk to book in a chat.)
Once your booking fee is paid, we then get to work with formulating an idea of your perfect unique day and contacting your chosen suppliers to get you locked into their diaries.
Your celebrant will be in touch with you to organise your consultations.
We work towards your special day with communication open, and often.
It’s fantastic that there are so many options. It is so important to choose the Celebrant, the practice and belief system that is right for you.
The Elopement Society currently works with celebrants from several organisations with different beliefs and ethos. Please take some time to familiarise yourself with these to discover which of our celebrants would be the best fit for you and your shared beliefs and spirituality.
Our celebrants are from Agnostic Scotland, Humanist Society of Scotland, Independent Humanist Ceremonies and Fuze. We’re always growing so may have more soon too.
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How do we chose our celebrant?
Our packages should be seen as a starting point for any celebration. We work with a plethora of creative suppliers we trust to ensure your day is unique to you.
Our initial chat allows us to get familiar with your story, and find out what you’re hopes are. We then introduce you to the suppliers we know will be able to make those dreams come to life.
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Are your Edinburgh elopement and Scottish coastal elopement packages customisable?
For everything you need to know about marriage or civil partnership registration in Scotland please click here.
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What are the legal requirements for eloping in Scotland?
How far in advance do we need to submit marriage license paperwork?
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You are required to apply for your legal paperwork a minimum of 29 days before and a maximum of 12 weeks before the ceremony.
Special dispensation may be granted in exceptional circumstances i.e. progressive illness. To apply for a dispensation you need to contact the district registrar for the area where the marriage is to take place, who will contact the National Records of Scotland with the request.
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Where can we host our Edinburgh elopement ceremony?
The beauty of marrying in Scotland is that, with permission from the owner, you can marry pretty much anywhere at any time of day. You just need to have confirmation of the address/postal code for the paperwork.
So outdoors or indoors and the indoor spaces don’t have to be affiliated with any religion or with the city registrars. As long as you have a licensed officiant to conduct the ceremony and sign the paperwork you can marry anywhere from a castle to a coffee shop.
Can we write our own vows?
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YES! ALWAYS include what feels right for you in the vows.
For legal marriages there are short sentences of legal vows/declarations and pronouncements that must be included in your ceremony but they are beautiful and exciting. You’ll know them well. These are not required in a Civil Partnership but many choose to add their own vows and declarations. But you can add your own vows to these.
Do we need to invite witnesses?
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There is also the signing of the marriage or civil partnership schedule with two witnesses over the age of 16. For elopements with no guests, your celebrant cannot officiate and be a witness but your photographer can be one and our celebrants often have trainees or friends who are happy to come along and be your second witness.
Does being divorced or widowed impact any planning?
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Yes and No. We recommend submitting the marriage notice earlier – at least 6 weeks before the wedding date in case of complications. You will have to enclose your Decree Absolute or certificate of death when submitting your Marriage Notices. So a little more paperwork but if you’re organised, it’s pretty straight forward.
Advice for those eloping from overseas?
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If you are not a UK National, you will need a special Visitor Visa (Marriage or Finacé(é) to get legally wed or partnered in Scotland.
First of all have a good look through the National Records Scotland website. It tells you everything you need to know and don’t hesitate to telephone them if you need clarification.
You will need a Marriage Visitor Visa or Fiancé(e) Visitor Visa to get legally wed here in Scotland and that can be a timely procedure. Many couples from outwith Scotland choose to do the legal bit before they come and have their very own Wedding Day here with a ceremony of unity, commitment or blessing as a part of it.
For couples choosing to work with our celebrant, Andrea (Soulful Celebrant) she also is offering an additional service from 2023 where she will assist with logistics such as completing legal documentation and in communication with us, can visit your chosen location to recce and send you quick videos and further information to make sure that the process is stress-free and you feel happy, excited and at home with chosen spaces for your day.
our Edinburgh elopements & Scottish coastal ceremonies
looking for edinburgh elopement pricing?
Every wedding, elopement and brand project is different. I share pricing alongside planning guidance, venue suggestions and workflow details so you can see how everything fits together.
Grab a link to my pricing and more via this contact form.
Or download a copy of the 2026 brochure first to read through all the intel at your leisure.
Have you tried to ‘which Scottish elopement?’ quiz too for some ideas?
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