Marriage Guide - Civil marriage ceremony - Scottish Borders Council

Marriage Guide - Civil marriage ceremony

The Registrar keeps your Marriage Schedule until the day of the marriage.
It is important to arrange an appointment, before the wedding day, with the Registrar to check that the information about you is correct and that there have been no changes since the marriage notices were received. If this is not possible the Registrar will interview the bride and groom before the actual ceremony takes place.
The Registrar will also have made prior arrangements with you about the way you wish to make your entrance into the marriage room – e.g. the bride may wish to enter after all the guests are seated, on the arm of her father, or some other person. Alternatively, she may wish to come in with her future husband. This is a very individual choice, but the Registrar will always be happy to discuss this with you.
Both parties to a marriage must make a declaration, required by law, that they are both free to marry each other and that there are no legal impediments to the marriage and that they accept each other as husband and wife to the exclusion of all others. This declaration must be made in the presence of the Registrar and two witnesses.
You may wish to make other personal promises to each other and the Registrar will be happy to discuss this with you.
You may, if you so wish, have a member of your party read poetry or prose, or have special music played, but there must be no religious content to this. Again, you must discuss this with the Registrar before the marriage ceremony.
If you have chosen a religious marriage you must contact the celebrant to discuss where the ceremony will be held before contacting the District Registrar to request the necessary legal forms for completion.
If you have decided a civil marriage ceremony is what you would like then you are no longer restricted to the ceremony being conducted within a Registration Office. Each office holds a list of licensed venues in its area.

The Marriage (Scotland) Act 2002 permits Registrars to conduct civil marriages outwith Registration Offices at approved places licensed specifically for this purpose by the council.

If you have chosen a castle, stately home, or hotel in the Scottish Borders for your civil marriage, you should contact the Manager and confirm that they hold a current licence. Or,
Perhaps you live within the Scottish Borders Council Area, or have a relative or friend who lives here? We are also able to conduct a civil marriage in a private home or at a special beauty spot provided you apply for, and are granted, a licence.

Remember to contact the District Registrar to confirm availability to conduct your civil marriage on your chosen date. Information about licensing procedures are available from the District Registrar.

Rings

The Registrar will have ascertained beforehand whether one or two rings will be exchanged by you and will have assured you that if you do not wish this, the absence of a ring will in no way affect the validity of the marriage.

Witnesses

You must arrange for two persons, aged 16 years of age or over who are capable of fully understanding the proceedings, to act as witnesses to your marriage (this is usually the bridesmaid and best man).

Music and Floral Arrangements

Registrars have appropriate music on tape or disc, which may be played as background music if required. Alternatively, after discussion with the Registrar, you may provide your own music, or arrange for musical accompaniment (e.g. a piper, or other musician).All registration offices have silk floral arrangements but you may wish to provide fresh flowers – you must make prior arrangements with the Registrar, or the Event Organiser if your marriage is outwith the Registration Office.

Photography and/or Video Recording

The following guidelines are to ensure that photography or video recording does not detract from the dignity and solemnity of the occasion:

Photography
Photographers should not take photographs during the marriage ceremony. There will be ample time and opportunity for photographs once the marriage ceremony is concluded.
Video Recording
- Video recording will only be allowed at the discretion of the Registrar.
- Only one video camera may be used during the marriage ceremony.
- The provision of all equipment is the responsibility of the operator.
- Power for the equipment must be self-contained; the Registrar will not provide any power source for the operation of any video equipment. The camera must have no trailing wires.
- Only the normal lighting in the Registration Office may be used and no additional lighting can be introduced.
- The operator will not leave the camera unattended and must undertake to remain stationary throughout the marriage ceremony. The instruction of the Registrar must be complied with at all times.
- Neither the local authority nor the Registrar will accept responsibility for any damage or loss to any equipment or accessories, or any damage caused to the video recording at the Registration Office.

Fees

Consult the District Registrar for up-to-date information on the current fees chargeable.