How To Elope In Scotland – Your Ultimate Guide For 2025
Are you planning to elope in Scotland? Look no further!
Scotland is one of the most popular destinations for elopements in the world and it’s not hard to see why! Within a couple of hours’ drive from Edinburgh you’ll discover some of the most and romantic landscape in the world! From waterfalls and lochs to islands, misty mountains and pine forests, Scotland offers everything!
Whether you’re planning to elope in Scotland or would like new ideas and inspiration, this comprehensive guide will help make your Scottish elopement dreams a reality. And it’s actually way easier than you think!
I’ve travelled around Scotland documenting stories for over 13 years so I can confidently declare myself an elopement expert. This guide to eloping in Scotland is everything I’ve learned and experienced during my 13 years as a photographer and I hope it’s really helpful for you.
If there’s anything further I can help with or if you would like to discuss your plans, please feel free to reach out!
How to Plan Your Scottish Elopement
Updated – January 13th 2025
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STEP 1: Choose A location for your Scottish elopement
As I mentioned just above, when it comes to beautiful backdrops and locations, Scotland really has it all! And if you’re looking for a romantic city to elope in then look no further than Old Town Edinburgh. Regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Edinburgh is bursting with history, culture and picturesque cobblestoned streets.
One of the best things about Scotland is that you can pretty much legally tie the knot anywhere you want! Whether it be on a mountaintop, a forest or next to a quiet loch, almost anywhere is possible!
I’ve helped a lot of my couples plan their weddings and elopements over the years so if you’re still not sure where you’d like to have your elopement I’m more than happy to chip in any way I can.
If you’d like to read further about some of the most beautiful places to elope in Scotland then check out my ‘Best places to elope in Scotland’ guide.
Some popular places to elope in Scotland:
- Isle Of Skye
- Glencoe (guide)
- Glen Etive
- Glen Affric (blog post)
- Cairngorms (blog post)
- Loch An Eilean (blog post)
- Edinburgh
- Loch Garten
- Eilean Shona (blog post)
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STEP 2: Pick a season (what is the best time of the year to elope in Scotland?)
One of the most frequently asked questions is, “When is the best time of the year to elope in Scotland?”. March, April, May and September, October, November are regarded to be the most ideal months to elope for numerous reasons however any time of the year is perfect for an elopement in Scotland. Every season has its own unique visual characteristics and qualities so it just depends on the vibe you’re seeking.
Spring (March, April, May)
A great time of the year to elope as the busy tourist season hasn’t started yet so it can be easier to book some really nice accommodation and have a larger selection of elopement suppliers. The days begin to get longer but you can still catch same beautiful golden light and colour in the afternoon. It can sometimes still be a bit cold in March so a warm layer (coat, cardigan, shawl, scarf) will do the trick.
You can view an elopement story from May here.
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Summer (June, July, August)
Warm and long days! The landscape in the highlands is green and luscious however one important thing to keep in mind at this time of the year is the light. It’s generally a lot brighter and sunsets are much later in the evening so when deciding on a ceremony time (and portrait shoot time) it pays off to take this into account so there is a better chance of capturing some of that beautiful evening light for your elopement portrait shoot. At busy tourist hotspots like The Isle of Skye it is usually a lot quieter earlier in the morning and in the evening.
A beautiful marriage proposal story from summer here.
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Fall (September, October, November)
The Scottish landscape transforms into a beautiful mixture of earthy tones (green, yellow, orange, brown) and if there’s one word I would use to describe this time of the year in Scotland it would be ‘painterly’. For locations such as the Isle of Skye, the tourist season begins to slow down so you have more of a chance of experiencing the landscape alone. The sun sets earlier in the day so some of the nicest light can be caught early in the afternoon if it’s a clear day. I would probably bring layers (a shawl, cardigan, coat) just in case!
You can see an elopement in Fall here and here.
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Winter (December, January, February)
If you fancy cosy vibes and snow-covered mountaintops then winter might be the time for you. Warm layers are crucial and light is limited so a ceremony around noon is the best option.
The tourist season in Scotland is quiet so you’ll have the landscape mostly to yourselves.
If you’re lucky you’ll even meet a deer or two on your elopement day as well!
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STEP 3: Find your celebrant
The next step in planning your Scottish elopement and depending on your preference you can choose either Religious, Registrar or Humanist.
You can contact the local registry office at the link below for a Registrar wedding. Church of Scotland ceremonies can usually be held in most places with approval from the church.
https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files/registration/reglist.pdf
Humanist ceremonies in Scotland
Humanist ceremonies can be one of the best ways to tie the knot as they can be personally tailored and offer many symbolic gestures such as hand-fasting, ring warming or drinking from a Quaich. If you’re marrying outdoors then a Humanist celebrant might be the way to go for you as they’re always ready for a hike and are really experienced in many types of outdoor weather conditions.
I’ve worked with a lot of amazing Humanist celebrants over the years, all around Scotland and I’d be more than happy to recommend some for you. Most celebrants will be happy to share their knowledge and experience on how to elope in Scotland as well.
https://www.humanism.scot
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STEP 4: Organise the marriage schedule (legal paperwork)
Most couples eloping from outside of the UK have their legal ceremony at home and their symbolic ceremony in Scotland.
To have a legal marriage ceremony in Scotland there is a bit of paperwork involved but it’s actually pretty straightforward. You’ll need to be in touch with your celebrant during this process as celebrants have done this many times so they’ll be able to tell you exactly what to do.
You can read more information at the National Records of Scotland website as well as further guidance with the RM1 Marriage in Scotland Information Leaflet. Finally, the Marriage Notice Form will need to be completed and must be submitted within the 3 month period before your elopement date but no later than 29 days before your elopement date. The cost is currently around £100 to submit the paperwork for your elopement.
You’ll also need to include your birth or adoptions certificate and evidence of address/residence.
The marriage schedule can then be collected in person within 7 days before the elopement date from the registrar local to the ceremony location.
Find out more information here about marriage in Scotland from the official source.
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STEP 5: Apply for a marriage visa (if travelling from abroad)
If you’re wanting to legally elope to Scotland from abroad (outside of the United Kingdom) you’ll need to apply for a marriage visa. You can find out more about the marriage visa and process at the link just below.
How much is the Scotland marriage visa? As of July 2024 the Scotland marriage visa costs £115 but if you would like to past track the application process you have the option to pay an additional fee. The marriage visa also allows you to stay in Scotland for up to 6 months!
https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visa
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STEP 6: Find witnesses for your marriage ceremony
If you would like to have a legal marriage ceremony in Scotland you’ll need 2 witnesses over the age of 16. If you are travelling without guests, I am always honoured to be a witness for my couples. I can recommend a list of celebrants that are able to bring a 2nd witness with them for a small fee. Too easy!
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STEP 7: Book elopement suppliers and accommodation
The earlier you can secure your celebrant, photographer, videographer, florist, hair / makeup artist and accommodation, the better!
Definitely prioritise mid-week dates too as you’ll have much better luck with supplier availability due to it being quieter.
I have cultivated an amazing network of Scotland-based suppliers through years of collaboration and it’s always a pleasure to recommend them.
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STEP 8: Decide what to wear for your elopement
One of the exciting things about eloping in Scotland is you never know what you’re going to get when it comes to the weather! No matter what time of the year it is, the weather constantly surprises and can completely transform the mood of the landscape.
I always say to my couples that the best thing to do to really enjoy the experience is embrace everything on your elopement day, including the weather.
For Spring, Fall and Winter I always suggest bringing an extra layer of clothing and if you’re eloping in the rugged Scottish highlands some leather boots for walking are a must as well.
One thing to take into consideration is while rugged raincoats are practical, they don’t translate well visually in photos. I always suggest looking for a shawl with earthy tones or perhaps a fashionable, warm coat.
I’ve photographed in all kinds of weather of the years so I’m ready to roll with anything.
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STEP 9: Get married and hand in your marriage schedule
Enjoy every minute of your elopement day and have an unforgettable experience while getting some incredible photos taken! For your marriage to be legally recognised you just have 3 days to submit your marriage schedule to the local registrar office where you got married. Easy!
I hope this guide has given you some ideas about eloping in Scotland and answered a few questions about planning an elopement. If you’re searching for an photographer to document your adventure, I’d love to find out about your plans so feel free to shoot a message below!
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Scotland Elopement Packages
Are you planning to elope in Scotland? I’ve been capturing elopements around Scotland for over 13 years so I have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share.
I have a range of packages and coverage options available to suit your needs and if you’d like some further information please get in touch. I’d really love to chat and learn about you and your plans! In the meantime, check out some of my other Scottish elopement guides.
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View guide ‘The Best Places To Elope In Scotland’:
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Hi There,
My partner and I are hoping to elope in the Fairy Glen on Skye in February. Do you have any availability to take some photos of the ceremony? And if so, what are your fees?
Kind regards,
Jess