Our Marriage Liturgy offers an excellent resource in planning a wedding service and was renewed in 2007 to create a balance between what the Church wants to say about God’s love and what the couple getting married want to say about their love and commitment to one another. Marriage in the Scottish Episcopal Church is available to both mixed sex and same sex couples.
Why get married in church?
People have been coming to Church to mark the most significant events in their lives for generations. We’ve got a lot of practice at doing weddings well.
Do I have to be a Church member?
No, but we would be happy to talk with you about becoming one.
Are you more married if you get married in Church than in a Registry Office?
No.
I’ve been married before, can I still get married in Church?
The Scottish Episcopal Church marries a lot of people who are doing this for the second time around. The clergy can agree to marry people in that situation with their bishop’s permission. Talk to your local Episcopal priest about it.
Will getting married save me from dealing with the Registrar?
No, everyone who gets married in Scotland has to produce a Marriage Schedule from a Registrar. The Registrar will make a charge for providing this. See our page on further guidance…
Can you read my “banns”, I’m getting married in England?
No, banns have no validity in law in any Episcopal Church. Contact the local Registrar in England for what you need to do next.
I can’t afford a big Church wedding, what should I do?
There is no reason for a Church wedding to be any more expensive than any other sort of wedding. Come and speak to us.
Can we book a wedding on a particular date?
Talk to your local Episcopal priest. Try to check dates with the Church before booking a reception.
Why do you do the same service for everyone – we would rather make it special to us?
We don’t – weddings in Scottish Episcopal churches allow couples to make lots of choices so that they get a wedding tailor-made for themselves. You can read our Marriage Liturgy on www.scotland.anglican.org/index.php/liturgy/liturgy/marriage_liturgy_2007
We don’t believe in God — can I still get married in the church?
A church wedding is a Christian service: it includes prayers, readings from the Bible, and vows made before God. Even if you’re unsure about faith, we’re glad to talk with you about what a church wedding involves and why you’d like to be married here, so you can decide if it feels right for you both.
Can I have the full works – bells, organ choir, piper, and horse-drawn carriage?
You will have to supply your own horse and carriage. Some churches have bells, most have a good organist/pianist. These things are likely to have a separate fee.
Can I get married in any colour?
Yes
We are living together, why can’t we get married in church?
You can. Very many weddings that take place in Church these days are of people who are living together.
…but we have children, the priest will never agree to us being married?
Think again!
Can we be married in your Church if one partner is Catholic and the other Protestant?
Yes, but it would be appropriate for the Catholic partner to speak to their priest first.
Can we be married on any day of the year?
No, you will have to fit in with the local Church. Ash Wednesday, the week leading up to Easter, and likewise Christmas are really busy times of the year. The clergy also have holidays and you need to check that someone is available.
Can a priest come to a hotel/golf course/mountaintop to do the service?
Not without permission of the Bishop.
We have decided to get married abroad but would like a Church blessing. Is this possible?
Yes
Are your priests married or celibate – how do they know what this feels like?
Clergy in the Scottish Episcopal Church can get married if they want to, so some are single and some have been through all this themselves. Most clergy have a lot of experience and expertise in marrying people. They can make helpful suggestions and try to help you work out what will work for you on the day and beyond.
Everyone who gets married in Scotland has to produce a Marriage Schedule from a Registrar. Details of how to do this and about the law in Scotland for marriages are available from the Registrar General of Scotland – https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/getting-married-in-scotland
Taken from the leaflet ‘Getting Married in Church’
Published by The General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church
Scottish Charity No. SCO15962
ISBN 0 905573 81 1
Further guidance on getting married at St Andrew’s, Fasque; St Laurence’s, Laurencekirk; or St Palladius’, Drumtochty.