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The Myth About Elopement Meaning
Elopement used to mean running away to get married in secret, but now it’s become a stylish, intimate, and relaxed way to celebrate your wedding. It’s all about you and your partner. Planning an elopement from scratch can feel overwhelming, but it’s easier than it seems. I’m here to guide you. So, how do you elope in Scotland?
1. Getting down to the nitty-gritty on How to elope in Scotland
1.1 Choose place, date and time for an elopement ceremony
You need to know these three details in advance before you submit them to the local authority registrars. The good news is, in Scotland, you can be legally married or have a civil partnership ceremony wherever you like. It creates endless choices for couples to elope. On the other hand, it can be tricky to pick the location for the elopement ceremony. Here you’ll find my 10 amazing places in Scotland to elope. Choose the date and place wisely.
Popular destinations in the Scottish Highlands, like the Isle of Skye or Glencoe, are getting busy over the Summertime for couples who aim to elope in Scotland. Avoid touristy spots in the summer, unless you are okay with a group of tourists watching.
Also, you need to book accommodation well in advance, as decent places to stay are scarce during the holiday season. Restless little creatures called midges can spoil your ceremony or holiday. July and August are the most active months for biting midges, especially in damp, quiet valleys of northwest Scotland. Right, I made summer sound like the worst time to elope in Scotland. But there are workarounds to avoid those little niggles.
1.2 Pick the right celebrant for you
Regardless of whether it’s a religious, a belief, or a civil ceremony, you need to contact the celebrant before contacting the registrars. Don’t hesitate to ask questions – celebrants are usually happy to help experts in this field. For outdoor, nature-loving couples, the best choice is a humanist ceremony to elope in Scotland. Humanist Society Scotland would be the place to look for an authorised and fully trained Humanist celebrant.
1.3 Get the paperwork ready
Once you have decided on a place, date, and your celebrant, you need to send over the marriage notice (M10 and CP10 forms) to one of the local Scottish registrars. For full information, you’ll find it on the National Records of Scotland. Although the absolute deadline for document submission is 29 days before the marriage day, you should consider sending your papers at least three months before your marriage. Don’t send at the last minute. The registrar’s office will need time to investigate your petition and will need a good reason for the late notice. You risk postponing your elopement wedding day. You can hand out documents in person at the office or send them by post.
If you are planning to elope in Scotland from another country, such as the United States, you need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa. The fees cost £135 at present. As for UE countries, the rules apply the same after exit from the European Union. Again, planning is a key to avoiding any extra costs, as you might pay an extra £500 for a decision within 5 working days or £1,000 for a decision within 24 hours (not including weekends or bank holidays)
1.4 Decide who is going to be your witness
For a legal marriage, you need two witnesses for your wedding. It can be anyone if you plan to elope in Scotland, only as a couple: a hairdresser, makeup artist, your photographer or videographer, or an adult person who understands the language. A good practice is to bring on two close friends or family members.
1.5 Dedicated planners to Help You Elope In Scotland
All the steps mentioned above, although not particularly hard or complicated, are time-consuming. Usually, elopement and wedding planners can handle all that work for you in one package for an elopement in Scotland. Wedding planners have a wide range of suppliers, celebrants, videographers, and photographers. They will handle most of the logistics for you, plus all paperwork and legal advice beforehand. So you have a hassle-free package with all you need for your elopement day in Scotland. Wild Hearts Elopement planning service is the one I recommend. Down to you: relax and enjoy your beautiful wedding with your love.
1.6 The marriage schedule document
Once the local registrar has approved your marriage notice documents, you’ll need to collect the marriage schedule document from the office in person, not earlier than 7 days before the elopement. You should get the call that your documents are ready. After your wedding ceremony, you must return it within 3 days. It is crucial as your marriage won’t be valid! This part is handled in most cases by your celebrant or by yourself.
2.Seasons for Scottish elopement
2.1 Spring. March, April and May
Months when daylight starts to last longer after short, winter days. In March, snow may fall occasionally, and mountain peaks may still be covered in snow. In late April and May, the hills get green, and nature starts to bloom again. In March, you can get some good bookings for hostels and romantic cottages at touristy places like the Isle of Skye or Glencoe.
2.2 Summer. June – August
It’s the period when days start early and end late. That leaves you plenty of time to do your planned activities. The best moment for a photo session would be early morning or late evening. Sunrise starts at 5 am, and sunset usually lasts until 10 pm. Worth noting is that the most popular places are getting busy with tourists; pick your elopement spot wisely. Also, early booking is mandatory if you plan an elopement in a popular area.
2.3 Autumn. September – November
Early Autumn is my favourite time of year in Scotland, when the flora turns all shades of orange. It’s just simply beautiful. It is a perfect time for photographers to capture all those colours. In the highlands, the hills turn golden. Temperatures are not yet so low or harsh; in November, some snow is expected, especially in higher parts of the country. Pitlochry (Perthshire), Scotland, was one of the best places in the world to visit in Autumn, according to Lonely Planet.
2.4 Winter. December – February
For the couples who enjoy quiet off-season time and prefer the romantic time of cosy moments by the fireplace. Days are short; the good news is, the sun is so low, it makes the most wonderful light, and famous, low, dramatic skies add to the whole winter highland atmosphere. Be well prepared, though, to embrace elements in Highlands. Umbrellas, good shoes, all sorts of blankets and waterproofs are a must.
How to prepare for an elopement and what to wear?
Scotland is an island surrounded by the sea on every side. That means the weather can be moody and unpredictable. The good news is that heavy showers usually pass; you need to be patient. All four seasons can indeed be in five minutes. Expect heavy showers for the whole year. A cold wind is a common thing in January and February. I usually keep backup blankets and umbrellas in the trunk. Good waterproof jackets will keep you safe from the elements, though wool wraps will look better in the photos. A good selection of serapes, Lochcarron of Scotland tartan blankets, and The Tartan Blanket Co.
Shoes. The best advice is to have comfy ones. And waterproof if possible. Dr Martens-style shoes would be great for roaming the wilds. In the worst-case scenario, wellies, under the dress won’t be seen anyway!
Don’t Stress About Elope in Scotland
Although all that information can seem a bit overwhelming, with many factors to consider, eloping in Scotland is not complicated. It might be more difficult for first-time visitors to Scotland, but trust your elopement planner, your celebrant, and your Scottish Wedding Photographer to deliver a great experience and all the good people creating your day. Scotts are well known for their kindness and hospitality. We all want you to relax and enjoy your elopement wedding day! So trust the process and start planning. Let’s create your love story together.
