Traditional and Unique Wedding Ceremony Ideas from 19 Celebrants in Scotland

With a wedding officiant who truly listens and honours your beliefs and vision, your special day can be as personalised as you wish.

These 19 ideas are here to inspire you to create your own ceremony to celebrate your love and connection, whether you're looking for a truly unique wedding, or something more traditional.

Handfasting is an ancient ritual practiced by pagans, druids and wiccans alike. It celebrates the union of the masculine and feminine.

While traditionally, it would use terms like "The God and Goddess within", your minister will ensure that you feel comfortable with the terms and symbology used. This makes a handfasting ritual a deeply personal ceremony and a popular choice between bride and groom.

Here is a small extract from one version of a handfasting ceremony used by Angie Alexandra, a wedding celebrant in Northern Scotland. This illustrates the kind of language and symbology often used:

We invoke Divine Presence that as it is above, so it is below, as it is within, so it is without.  We offer this invocation to connect Angela and William to the masculine and feminine, the God and Goddess, within themselves and in each other; and within all of creation. As they prepare to step into marriage as a sacred spiritual union we remind them that it is their higher selves and the best that they have to give, that they offer to one another.

Jane Patmore offers a range of personalised wedding ceremonies in Edinburgh, including the blending of sands.

This involves bringing two separate containers of sands that you mix together to symbolise the blending of two souls into one. Sands can be of any colour, from your own home countries, or collected on your adventures. Traditionally this unique wedding ceremony is completed as follows:

• The celebrant asks the groom to pour some of his sand into an empty vessel.
• They then ask the bride to do likewise.
• The bride and groom pour their sands simultaneously, creating a single, unified stream.

The unity candle ceremony represents the union of two individuals into one harmonious partnership. The lighting of the unity candle embodies the essence of marriage itself. It symbolises the bond that brings together two lives, two families, and two sets of experiences into a single shared future which glows brightly.

This traditional wedding ceremony is completed as follows:

• The bride and groom each hold a thin taper candle, which are lit either by their loved ones, or by the couple themselves.
• Together, the couple uses these taper candles to light a larger, central candle, known as the unity candle.
• As the unity candle burns, the officiant shares the significance of this tradition, explaining its meaning to the gathered guests.

Judith Hampson, an officiant in the Highlands and Islands, says:

A ritual need not be anything complicated or mystical. It can be as simple as the lighting of a Unity Candle, or a candle to honour ancestors or family members who have passed. Mothers might be honoured by the giving of a rose; or fathers by the drinking of a toast.

Many Norse sagas tell of the exchange of swords as part of a Viking wedding ceremony, which represents the joining of the couple’s clans. Viking wedding rings can be placed on their handles during the exchange. As modern Vikings might not carry swords with them, our celebrant, Ocean Graham has two swords to use for such an occasion and describes the exchange of swords ritual as follows:

I usually have a member of each family hold a sword each in front of the couple and cross them and lay them in a cross in front of the couple as a sign that the clans are now joined and their honour shared.

In keeping with the Viking theme, Ocean Graham also performs ceremonies using Thor's hammer. She says the following about it: 

It’s a common practice during Viking marriage ceremonies for Thor’s hammer to be placed upon the bride’s lap as she receives a blessing. The metaphor of placing the hammer in the wife's lap is to share power with wisdom.

Why not make your marriage doubly unique and marry with another couple? When a brother and sister  and their respective partners approached Glynis Woodhead, an officiant in Inverness, with the idea that they would love to have a double wedding, she was delighted to oblige. It was during Covid and they were the only attendees, yet in an enchanted forest setting, it prove to be a magical experience. Each couple acted as the other's witnesses.

Here's what the two brides and grooms said about their special day:

Glynis was the celebrant for our “Double Covid wedding” on December 23rd and we were blown away by what an incredibly beautiful ceremony she did for us. Our ceremony was completely tailored to us, telling our individual love stories in such a beautifully romantic way. Thank you Glynis, for being a huge part of our magical day.

If you have a mixed faith marriage, it's natural to want to incorporate elements from both faiths into your wedding. All ministers on this site have trained with the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation. Their training included studying a diverse range of faiths, in order to be able to respect the beliefs and wishes of each individual they marry.

Here's Anna and Stefan's testimonial about their wedding celebrant, Ian Bonner-Evans:

As a couple, Ian made our ceremony feel perfectly tailored to us. We come from different religious backgrounds and have families from all over the world who attended the wedding, and Ian was able to beautifully welcome everyone and ensure that we were all woven into the ceremony. For example, Ian even learned a few sentences in Serbian to welcome our international guests.

We have had countless wedding guests compliment us on how perfect, beautiful and meaningful our ceremony was. Many guests told us, ‘that was the best wedding ceremony we have ever sat through’. We decided to have both a photographer and a videographer on the day and thank goodness we did as having a video of our ceremony to look back on has been wonderful.

Any wedding celebrates the love between two unique humans. Regardless of the type of ceremony you choose, how you express this love is what makes your big day unique.

Where there are two brides or two grooms, this creates a highly personalised wedding day that symbolises not only their expression of love for one another, but also the progress society has made and the challenges overcome. Same sex weddings often have an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusivity.

Kevin Thompson, a celebrant located near Fife and Edinburgh states it well:

Same sex, mixed sex, same religion, mixed religion, or indeed none.

All combinations.  It's YOUR wedding and should be YOUR way!

One popular wedding ritual is a toast with a quaich, a traditional Scottish two-handled cup which symbolises friendship and unity. It is traditionally filled with whisky for the bride and groom to share, however can be filled with spring water, or a drink of your choosing.

The above photo was provided by Lindy Irving, a wedding celebrant. She has this to say on the importance of ritual when getting married:

So many of the ways in which a couple can be legally married are devoid of sacred ceremonial rituals, which is such a shame because although most couples who choose a Celebrant don’t want a religious ceremony, they still want it to carry the “weight” of a religious ceremony, and for me, rituals are what bring solemnity and grace to the proceedings.

Most couples in the UK choose to marry in the traditional wedding dress for the bride and a suit for the groom. There are many other options though, including introducing wedding outfits from other cultures. This might be because you originate from a different country, have a strong connection to it, or simply because it looks fun!

When tying the knot, one option is the salwar kameez, a traditional Indian wedding outfit, pictured here.

Of course, if you're in Scotland, a kilt is the traditional attire for the groom, while the bride has a beautiful white dress.

Photo provided by Juanna Grace, a marriage officiant.

One way to make the big day deeply meaningful is to write your own vows with the guidance of a celebrant.

One marriage I attended included the phrase, "I love the smell of you." These simple words were so evocative and surprising, I'm sure everyone in the audience resonated with them.

Jen Doherty, an officiant based on the Scottish Borders says the following regarding personal vows:

You are at the heart of the wedding I create for you. That can be a simple exchange of vows in front of just two witnesses, or a grand affair with music, attendants and many friends and family - or any point between. I have a background as a writer, so I write every wedding from scratch.

I listen to you, and work with you to create a ceremony that is unique and meaningful, whatever your beliefs.

In addition to personalising your wedding ceremony with your own vows, you may also wish to write and exchange love letters. This is a way of extending the moment with a written expression of your love.

If reading a love letter in front of the wedding party is too daunting, you can always share them with your closest friends and family. Another option is to incorporate your story into the occasion.

Gillian Robertson, a minister in Falkirk, Central Scotland, says the following about using stories to craft ceremonies:

Listening carefully to you, I would be privileged to craft a wedding ceremony which reflects your wishes, and honours the occasion with love and respect. People make stories and stories make people: and I love to write the stories, to weave them into Ceremony, to transform them into forever memories.

When you think about the symbolism of a wedding, it's about love and connection. But it's also important to have fun! Here are some fun wedding idea themes:

• Based on a film or TV series. Outlander springs to mind.
• A wedding on a boat, complete with snorkelling.
• Fantasy theme with a touch of magic.
• Masquerade ball.

If you have a shared hobby that brings you great joy, perhaps you can include elements of it on your special day?

Barbara Campbell, a celebrant in Glasgow, provided this photo of a most unusual wedding. Only recommended for experienced golfers!

One way to personalise your marriage ceremony is to incorporate elements that are unique to you.

Kevin Thompson held a wedding for the coach of a rowing club up in Aberdeen and kindly provided this image.
 

In Scotland, it is the minister who is granted the authority to marry you, rather than a licence being given to a specific venue. This means you can get married anywhere! Whether it's a beach, a forest, or a castle wedding that inspires you, you have unlimited choice. Keep in mind that for large groups or less adventurous souls, you may need a back-up plan for a rainy day.

Monika Strell, an officiant in the Highlands says:

Whether the Highlands is your home or you are visiting, maybe even looking for an elopement whilst traveling the famous North Coast 500, a wedding ceremony set amidst our atmospheric landscape – a beach, among the mountains, on the shore of a loch – holds special meaning for me. You don’t even need to be outdoors to experience the magic! An impressive variety of amazing indoor locations let you enjoy a ceremony with the backdrop of the beautiful highland scenery.

Nearly all weddings include a touch of nature. This might be the bridal bouquet, a wedding arch adorned with leaves and flowers, or using petals or rice as confetti.

Creating a nature-themed wedding goes a step further, ensuring the symbolism of timeless beauty and the natural world is central to the ceremony. This could include extra decorations of leaves and flowers, marrying outdoors in a beautiful setting, or choosing eco-conscious and sustainable material for all elements of your special day.

Planting a tree one way to symbolise the enduring nature and harmony of your marriage. It has become something of a tradition for outdoor weddings. If you choose to plant a tree, ensure you select the right one, both for its symbolism, and its ability to endure in the soil and climate.

Carolanne Allardyce specialises in nature-themed weddings. She kindly provided the photo pictured here.

Of course, the whole point is that your wedding is about what you and your partner want. If you're having a small do with just close friends and family, then you may prefer to simply marry in your own home.

Morag Cameron, who offers wedding ceremonies in South Scotland, gives one example which shows why an exotic location isn't always necessary:

Nina and Olly, a couple from the Scottish Borders who had been together for some time, and built their own home, felt that the time had come to bless their union with a wedding ceremony, which I conducted in their own garden. We created an intimate and personal wedding rite, during which Nina was brought to the little altar in her sunlit flowery garden, by her three strapping kilted sons.

Jumping the broom is a traditional wedding ritual which originated among African Americans and has gained popularity in Scotland and elsewhere over the last few decades. It symbolises a new beginning and sweeping away of the past.

When the couple jump the broom they are wed and cannot be separated. It was used historically when the parents did not approve of the match or there was a class difference that would not permit a wedding. It is a definite snub to any disapproving relatives.

Susan Cotterill, a minister located on the Scottish Borders, includes jumping the broom among her favourite rituals:

There are many rituals and traditions that may also be included in a ceremony, for example, hand-fasting, ring warming, oathing the stone, jumping the broom, candle lighting, to name a few.  Whatever you wish to have included may be woven into your ceremony.  We can, together, create a ceremony that is true to you as a couple.

With an officiant who listens and respects your wishes, there are boundless options when it comes to making your big day unique. Catherine Wright, a celebrant in Edinburgh, says the following about creating a unique wedding ceremony:

Having a celebrant who really knows what you want can be a huge factor in making your wedding day fun and exciting, relaxed and perfect. Outdoors or indoors, long or short, musical or quiet, intimate or zany.  We dream together, and all the choices are yours. This work is a pleasure and a privilege.  It's such a joy to spend time with couples, dreaming into the perfect ceremony.

This photo, of one of Catherine's weddings, was taken by © Lisa Devine Photography and provided with our appreciation.

While all the celebrants on Scottish Wedding Ceremony were trained with the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation, they are independent and each have their own way of working. The process to create your ceremony is likely to include:

• A free initial call or meeting to discuss your wishes and beliefs.
• If you agree to work together, follow-up questions covering vows, readings, music, symbolism, etc.
• Pre-wedding support to finalise the ceremony.

Chris Booth provides a detailed account of the process he uses to work with each couple to create unique wedding ceremonies in Edinburgh. One of the brides he married said:

Chris was an absolutely amazing celebrant and official for our elopement! He made the ceremony great and had an amazing energy about him that made our day that much more special. He was extremely easy to communicate with by email and zoom and he got us everything we needed for our big day. It was an absolute honour and pleasure to work with him he was fantastic and we’ll cherish the memory for years to come.

- Elizabeth

Find a wedding celebrant in Scotland who will help you create a personalised marriage ceremony that respects your faith and desires. Create a day to remember!