your ceremony questions answered - All The Ceremonies Of The North

some of your questions about ceremonies answered… how to book, what if it rains, what’s an oathing stone, can I get married on a boat… keep reading or please get in touch to talk…

CEREMONIES FOR LOVE

Will our wedding be legal?

Yes, if you follow the relevant application process with The Registrar General of Scotland my affiliation with the OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation allows me to hold a legally valid marriage ceremony, for both opposite and same sex couples, in Scotland.

How far in advance can we book?

The more notice the better – Saturdays during spring and summer can be very much in demand. I sometimes take bookings 2 years in advance of the ceremony date.

Can we book at short noticie?

I often have good availability even at short notice, so please don’t hesitate to check in with me. It is worth factoring in that for a legal wedding there is a minimum notice period of 29 days to submit all the relevant paperwork to the registry office.

Where can we hold our ceremony?

In Scotland ceremonies can literally be held anywhere indoors or outdoors. This opens up a vast array of wonderful opportunities in the great outdoors, from woodlands, beaches and mountains to gardens and more or less every indoor location you can imagine, including private homes, hotels or other holiday accommodation.

Can you marry us in a church?

With the permission of the relevant church leader I will be very happy to hold a wedding ceremony in a church building or private church.

Can we get married on a boat?

Yes!, Although at the time of the ceremony the boat has to be at anchor. I will be happy to advise you on the options and create a ceremony that does true justice to such a setting! I am also happy to explore other options for reaching your wedding location, like canoes or kayaks. As an outdoor lover, I’m very happy to hold ceremonies in unusual and remote locations!

What rituals and symbolic gestures can we include?

I always explore a variety of possible rituals and symbolic gestures with couples, including traditional Scottish ones, like handfasting, quaich or oathing stone, and others popular all over the world. There will also be plenty of opportunity to discuss the creation of new and totally personal rituals.

Can we include children in the ceremony?

It is always a pleasure, and good fun, to have children involved in ceremonies. There are many options and I always work closely with couples to find the right ones for their ceremony, and those that will suit the children involved.

Will it be possible to have dogs at our ceremony?

If the venue or outdoor setting allows, then it’s fine to have dogs at a ceremony. Some like their dog to play an official role, like bringing the rings, in other cases it’s more about being prepared that unexpected things might happen. As a dog owner myself I’m always happy to go with the flow.

What will the duration of our ceremony be?

The duration of a ceremony always depends on a variety of factors, including the number of rituals and symbolic gestures, readings, and length of vows. Many ceremonies average between 20-30 minutes, although elopements are sometimes shorter. I always aim to get an understanding of how the ceremony fits into your overall day, and how this affects timings. For outdoor ceremonies, I usually prepare a fall-back shorter version in case of really bad weather.

Do you also conduct humanist ceremonies?

Yes, I do! The title ‘Interfaith Minister’ makes some people think I don’t but as I conduct ceremonies for those from all faith paths, people who see themselves as spiritual but not of a particular faith or religion, but also for those of no faith this includes humanist ceremonies too.

What happens between booking you and the ceremony?

After your formal booking, we will agree on a timeline of when the work on your ceremony will take place. Initially, I will ask you to share your ideas, ask lots of questions, send you lots of info about options, and then your ceremony will take shape, usually over several versions. We can communicate via emails, calls, video meetings, or sometimes face-to-face meetings. I will always work around a couple’s preferences.

What if it rains on the day of our outdoor ceremony?

If you are planning an outdoor weddng in Scotland you should be prepared to deal with mixed weather and I always discuss with couples what their comfort zone is and how to manage the uncertainty. When agreeing on a location we can talk about shelter, or sometimes waiting out the worst can be an option if you and other suppliers offer a bit of flexibility. For very remote outdoor locations health & safety reasons may require a change of location.

Will there be a rehearsal?

Most of the ceremonies I conduct have no rehearsal, but if this is something that would reassure you then we can look into it as an optional service. Please note that it will Most likely incur extra costs.

Can you help us with wedding planning services?

I am unable to support couples with wedding planning services, like finding or coordinating suppliers. However, for ceremonies local to my area in the North-West Highlands, or other areas where I am familiar with options, I am always happy to share info regarding local suppliers, many of them recommended by previous couples, and you can then make your own choices and arrangements.

How much does it cost?

All couples and ceremonies are different… a small elopement on my local beach can’t be compared with a big ceremony, rich in rituals, readings and involving many people. I therefore provide a tailormade quote for each couple.

How far do you travel?

I am happy to travel within Scotland.

How can we book?

After your initial inquiry, we will usually have some emails or a meeting to see if I am a good match for what you are looking for. If you wish to go ahead, completing a booking form and paying a booking fee will confirm that I am your celebrant.

CEREMONIES FOR LOSS & REMEMBRANCE

Do you conduct funerals in cemeteries or crematoriums?

I currently do not conduct such funerals but I am happy to put you in touch with colleagues who do offer this service. Funeral directors are often able to advise also.

What is the difference between a celebration of life and a funeral service?

A celebration of life focuses on honouring a loved one’s life rather than mourning their passing. Usually, it happens some time after or instead of a funeral service and there is no body present, although sometimes ashes are.

Can a celebration of life be held anywhere, indoors or outdoors?

Absolutely yes! Both outdoor and indoor venues can be good options, depending on the needs and wishes of the attendees.

Can you scatter ashes on our behalf if we are unable to travel?

Yes, I can conduct scattering ceremonies on behalf of families.

Can I have photos or videos of the scattering?

I am always happy to take images, or where practical a video of the location of the ashes scattering.

Will we know in what exact location the ashes were scattered?

Yes I usually share a map, or in many cases, we will discuss and agree the location beforehand.