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2 Ways to Do a Cheap Wedding in Scotland
Here in Scotland, couples literally tie the knot on their wedding day (in fact, the term “tie the knot” came from us!). They use any piece of clothing, fabric or string that will be used by the officiant to tie their wrists to make them ‘one’.
If this charming tradition is part of your wedding bucket list, why not get married here in Scotland?
We know budget is a crucial consideration, but there are a couple of ways around this! As such ,this article sheds some light on affordable ways to achieve your dream wedding in Scotland.
What’s the cheapest way to get married in Scotland?
The cheapest ways to get married in Scotland are to do a civil wedding or hold your wedding in a cheaper venue.
Here are more details on each of these methods!
1. Do a civil wedding.
The cheapest way to get married in Scotland is to do a civil wedding. If the thrills and frills of a lavish celebration aren’t really that important to you and your partner, this may be a no-brainer.
Even if you’re not an EEC (Europeans Economic Community) visa holder, you can still get married in the country. Anyone who wants to get married in Scotland can do so regardless of nationality.
How to Do a Civil Wedding in Scotland
Estimated Cost Range: £125 – £1,538
Requirements and Pre-Requisites
1. The individual must be at least 16 years old at the time of application.
Your and your partner’s birth certificate are needed to prove that you’re both of legal age to get married. Whether you’re in an opposite- or same-sex relationship, Scotland permits marriage as long as you’re both 16 or older.
2. Neither of you shouldn’t be married or in a civil relationship with someone else.
Couples must be both single to get married in Scotland. You must also not be related to one another, may you be blood-related or affinity-related.
Here is the list of relatives that can’t marry:
- Child
- Parent
- Grandchild
- Grandparent
- Sibling
- Niece or nephew
- Aunt or uncle
- Great-grandchild
- Great-grandparent
- Ex-spouse or civil partner of a parent
- Adoptive parent or ex-adoptive parent
- Grandchild of an ex-spouse or civil partner
- Child of an ex-spouse or civil partner
- Adoptive child or ex-spouse adoptive child
- Ex-spouse or civil partner of a grandparent
3. Couples must accomplish the marriage notice form.
You and your partner must complete the marriage notice form at least 29 days to 3 months before the wedding date. This is to give time for the local office to process all documents and confirm the scheduled date prior to your marriage.
4. You need to gather and prepare all required documents.
Here are the required documents that should be submitted along with the marriage form:
- Any document showing your complete address
- Passport or any document that proves your nationality
- Divorce certificate (if married before)
- Dissolution certificate (if in a civil partnership before)
- Death certificate (if your/your partner’s ex-spouse died)
- Certificate permitting you to marry under the law of your country (for foreigners)
All documents must be in English. Otherwise, certified translated documents must be passed. It can be delivered in person or by mail to the registrar.
4. If you’re a non-UK national, you must also submit a Declaration of Status by Non-UK Nationals.
Please be advised that if you’re a non-UK national and don’t have a proper immigration status or visa, your marriage is subject to investigation by the Home Office.
You can apply for a marriage visitor visa for £100, or a fiancé visa for those marrying a UK citizen or resident for £1,538.
Process
1. Find and book a venue.
Civil weddings are often conducted in a registry office. However, you can also hold your ceremony in other venues as long as the local registration authorities are informed.
2. Complete the marriage notice forms.
Submit the marriage notice forms 29 days to 30 months before your desired wedding date.
Once the registrar has been informed of your intention to marry, the registrar will list it on the marriage notice book available to the public.
4. Schedule your wedding date.
Even if you have a preferred wedding date, the schedule will still depend on the office’s availability.
Thus, to avoid delays, make sure to pass all requirements as early as possible so that your marriage application will be processed ahead of others.
Note, however, that the marriage schedule is only issued within 7 days prior to the wedding date.
5. Get married!
Aside from the registrar, you will need to bring along two witnesses that will prove your marriage has been conducted during your wedding day.
After the ceremony, you and your partner will sign the marriage contract to legalise your marriage.
Expenses
Below are the fees for the legal documents and requirements related to getting married in Scotland:
| Documents | Fees |
| Marriage Notice | £45 / person |
| Solemnisation of a civil marriage | £55 |
| Marriage certificate purchased within one month of marriage registration | £10 |
| Marriage certificate purchased more than one after the marriage registration | £15 |
2. Host your wedding in a cheaper venue.
Estimated Cost Range: £38 – £10,165
You can also do a cheap wedding by hosting it in a less expensive venue! Here are our recommended places where you can host your wedding for a lower cost:
1. The National Piping Centre
| Address | The National Piping Centre 2007-2015 30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow G4 0HWWest End Venue – 16-24 Otago Street, Glasgow, G12 8JH |
| Website | https://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/ |
| Contact Details | +44 (0) 141 353 0220 / +44 (0) 141 353 5551 |
| Best For | Couples who prefer indoor weddings with a fantastic ambience |
The National Piping Centre is known as the go-to for cheap weddings in the city!
It’s a 4-star hotel that has a quaint ambience and efficient service. It offers a variety of packages ideal for a cheap wedding, so it’s no surprise that so many couples choose to hold their weddings there.
It was even crowned the national winner in the 2020 Scottish Hotel Awards, so you can’t really go wrong with this choice of venue.
Wedding Packages and Rates:
| Package | Price / Inclusions |
| Winter Wedding Package Starts at £2700 | • Includes 50 guests • Red carpet arrival • White table linen and candles • World class piper • Museum of Piping & The Pipers’ Tryst for drinks reception • Full day room hire for the auditorium and blue room • All table stationery • Silver cake stand and bridal knife |
| Traditional Wedding Package Rate depends on the venue hire and ceremony hire costs | • 3-course meal • Drink packages • Ceremony (£350) • Wedding reception & evening party (£1,000) • Evening reception (£600) |
| Sgian Dubh Package Starts at £3700 | • A world-class piper • Full day room hire for the auditorium and blue room • Red carpet arrival • Museum of Piping & The Pipers’ Tryst for drinks reception •White table linen and candles • All table stationery • Silver cake stand and bridal knife • Complimentary accommodation for the happy couple on wedding evening • £47 per additional guests |
| Balmoral Package Starts at £4200 | • A world-class piper • Red carpet arrival • Full day room hire for the auditorium and blue room • Silver cake stand and bridal knife • White table linen and candles • All table stationery • Museum of Piping & The Pipers’ Tryst for drinks reception • Upgrade to a glass of sparkling wine for the drinks reception • Complimentary accommodation for happy couples on wedding evening. • Floral arrangements for all tables£52 per additional guests |
| Glengarry Package Starts at £4900 | • A world-class piper • Full day room hire for the auditorium and blue room • Red carpet arrival • Silver cake stand and bridal knife • White table linen and candles • Floral arrangements for all tables • Museum of Piping & The Pipers’ Tryst for drinks reception • All table stationery • Upgraded buffet options • Complimentary accommodation for happy couples on wedding evening. • Upgraded menu£62 per additional guests |
| Ivory Package Starts at £7100 | • A world-class piper • Red carpet arrival • Full day room hire for the auditorium and blue room • Silver cake stand and bridal knife • White table linen and candles • All table stationery • Museum of Piping & The Pipers’ Tryst for drinks reception • Upgrade to a glass of sparkling wine for the drinks reception • 3 canapés per person • 1/2 bottle of house wine per person with dinner • Complimentary accommodation for happy couples on wedding evening. • Floral arrangements for all tables • Prosecco drinks reception for evening guests’ arrival • 4 individual choices from the evening buffet • White chair covers and sashes of your choice for during the ceremony & meal • Fruit juice or mineral water for drinks reception and dinner • Upgraded menu plan • £89 per additional guests |
2. Bachilton Barn
| Address | Bachilton Barn Bachilton House Methven, PH1 3QX |
| Website | https://www.bachiltonbarn.co.uk/ |
| Contact Details | 01738 505 722 / [email protected] |
| Best For | Couples who prefer to hold their wedding in the countryside overlooking stunning grasslands |
Located in Perthside, Bachilton Barn has 700 acres of space – enough room to add personal touches here and there and make your wedding truly unforgettable.
What’s great about this venue is that there are several spaces within it to choose from, including The Barn, Bachilton, Lochy, Cairnies and an outdoor area with a gazebo and pond.
Wedding Packages and Rates:
| Package | Inclusion in all packages |
| Bachilton Wedding Package • Venue, Yurts & Cottages -Starts from £8,995 (Monday to Thursday) -Starts from £10,165 (Friday to Sunday) • Venue & Yurts Only -Starts from £6,060 (Monday to Thursday) -Starts from £7,270 (Friday to Sunday) • Christmas & New Year (Dec 20 to Jan 3) -Starts from £10,615 Winter Wedding Package • Venue, Yurts & Cottages -Starts from £5,995 (Monday to Thursday) -Starts from £8,030 (Friday to Sunday) • Venue & Yurts Only -Starts from £4,120 (Monday to Thursday) -Starts from £4,850 (Friday to Sunday) | • Includes the night before and night of your wedding • The yurts can be lodged by 12 people, while cottages can accommodate up to 28 persons and • 40 people can also sleep onsite • Wedding planning assistance • You can use the gazebo for photographs • 16 x 6ft round tables • 6 x 6ft trestle tables •160 navy blue & gold framed banqueting chairs • Wooden wedding arch • 2 x tabletop barrels for signing table, 6 rustic barrels and planters • PA system with a 3.5mm jack plug • Wall mounted flat screen tv with hdmi cable160 navy blue & gold framed banqueting chairs • Wooden wedding arch • 2 x tabletop barrels for signing table, 6 rustic barrels and planters • Heating and electricity • 6 x picnic benches around the pond • Fully set wedding lounge including 2 leather armchairs, 1 full-length mirror, 1 x wooden chest, • 2 chesterfield sofas, 2 rugs, 1 coffee table, and 1 set of fairy lights • Ladders, jars, tealight holders, crates, frames, and decorative palettes are also included |
Add-ons:
- You can enter the venue at 5:30 PM on the day before your wedding for £1500. It is accessible starting at 12 PM
- Additional stay in 2 yurts costs £425.
- Additional stay in 5 cottages and 2 yurts costs £925
- Additional day in the venue costs £2500, accessible from 9 AM to 5 PM. Catering and bar teams can also be hired on site
3. Hotel du Vin & Bistro
| Address | 11 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 United Kingdom |
| Website | https://www.hotelduvin.com/ |
| Contact Details | 01312851479 / [email protected] |
| Best For | Couples who prefer hosting their wedding near the city centre |
Hotel du Vin & Bistro can accommodate a variety of guests, depending on the package you’ll avail. It’s conveniently located near the Edinburgh city centre, too, which is perfect for couples who don’t want to go too far to get married.
Additionally, if you check in after the wedding, you can even enjoy a quaint room with a lovely fireplace!
Wedding Packages and Rates
| Package | Price / Inclusions |
| Prestige Package Starts from £115 per person | • Offers four-course menu and drinks • This package is the most luxurious out of all packages in the hotel • Welcome drink½ bottle of wine • Water • Tea • Coffee • Overnight accommodation for the couple • Menu tasting session • Private room hire for wedding reception • Place cards • Table linen • Candelabra or tea lights • Cake stand • Cake knife • Table plan |
| Classic Occasion Starts from £2,200 for 25 guests | • £75 per person for additional guests • Includes three course menu and drinks • Covers full day event • Welcome drink • ½ bottle of wine • Water • Tea • Coffee • Overnight accommodation for the couple • Menu tasting session • Private room hire for wedding reception • Place cards • Table linen • Candelabra or tea light • Cake stand • Cake knife • Table plan |
| Sublime Occasion Starts from £2,600 for 25 guests | • Offers three course menu and drinks with supper snacks • £92 per person for additional guests • Covers full day and night event • Welcome drink½ bottle of wine • Water • Tea • Coffee • Overnight accommodation for the couple • Menu tasting session • Private room hire for wedding reception • Place cards • Table linen • Candelabra or tea lights • Cake stand • Cake knife • Table plan |
| Premium Package Starts from £95 per person | • Offers three course premium menu and drinks • Welcome drink • ½ bottle of wine • Water • Tea • Coffee • Overnight accommodation for the couple • Menu tasting session • Private room hire for wedding reception • Place cards • Table linen • Candelabra or tea lights • Cake stand • Cake knife • Table plan |
| Classic Package Starts from £75 per person | • Includes three course classic menu and drinks • Welcome drink • ½ bottle of wine • Water • Tea • Coffee • Overnight accommodation for the couple • Menu tasting session • Private room hire for wedding reception • Place cards • Table linen • Candelabra or tea lights • Cake stand • Cake knife • Table plan |
| Cremant Package Starts from £65 per person | • Includes three course cremant menu and drinks • Welcome drink • ½ bottle of wine • Water • Tea • Coffee • Overnight accommodation for the couple • Menu tasting session • Private room hire for wedding reception • Place cards • Table linen • Candelabra or tea lights • Cake stand • Cake knife • Table plan |
| Partage Package Starts from £47 per person | • Includes three course buffet menu with french market table and starter dishes and desserts • Private room hire for wedding reception • Place cards • Table linen • Candelabra or tea lights • Cake stand • Cake knife • Table plan |
| Afternoon Tea Package Starts from £38 per person | • Includes sandwiches, cakes, scones and savouries • Private room hire for wedding reception • Place cards • Table linen • Candelabra or tea lights • Cake stand • Cake knife • Table plan |
| Al Fresco Package Starts from £55 per person | • Includes classic bbq items with accompaniments and salads • Private room hire for wedding reception • Place cards • Table linen • Candelabra or tea lights • Cake stand • Cake knife • Table plan |
Add-ons:
- Wine tasting session – £15 per person
- Evening finger food – £13 per person
- DJ – from £300
- Wedding ceremony at the hotel (room hire) – from £300
- After dinner digestif – from £5 per glass
- Chair covers and sashes hire – from £5 per chair
4. Fingask Castle
| Address | Fingask Castle, Rait, Perth PH2 7SA |
| Website | https://www.fingaskcastle.co.uk/ |
| Contact Details | 01821 670 777 / [email protected] |
| Best For | Couples who prefer a fairytale-like wedding and a cosy location |
Fingask Castle is a great choice for dreamy wedding celebrations! It has a fairytale-like ambience that works for couples who want to achieve the romantic aesthetic without breaking the bank.
Its ancient landscapes and rich history will make you feel like you’ve been transported to another world. Honestly, its name gives the experience away – what romantic doesn’t want to get married in a castle?
Wedding Rates
| Saturday Prices | Up to 110 guests • January (£2,300) • February (£2,800) • March (£5,000) • April to June (£6,500) • July to August (£7,500) • September (£6,500) • October (£4,500) • November to December (£2,500) 111 to 200 guests • January (£2,800) • February (£3,300) • March (£5,500) • April to June (£7,000) • July to August (£8,000) • September (£7,000) • October (£5,000) • November to December (£3,000) |
| Friday Prices | Up to 110 guests • January (£2,000) • February (£2,500) • March (£4,500) • April to June (£6,000) • July to August (£7,000) • September (£6,000) • October (£4,000) • November to December (£3,000) 111 to 200 guests • January (£2,500) • February (£3,000) • March (£5,000) • April to June (£6,500) • July to August (£7,500) • September (£6,500) • October (£4,500) • November to December (£3,500) |
| Monday to Tuesday Prices | Up to 40 guests • January (£1,000) • February (£1,000) • March (£1,500) • April to June (£1,500) • July to August (£2,000) • September (£1,500) • October (£1,000) • November to December (£1,000) Up to 110 guests • January (£1,000) • February (£1,000) • March (£2,500) • April to June (£3,500) • July to August (£4,000) • September (£2,500) • October (£2,000) • November to December (£1,000) |
| Wednesday to Thursday Prices | Up to 40 guests • January (£1,000) • February (£1,000) • March (£1,500) • April to June (£1,500) • July to August (£2,000) • September (£1,500) • October (£1,000) • November to December (£2,000) Up to 110 guests • January (£1,500) • February (£1,500) • March (£3,000) • April to June (£4,000) • July to August (£4,500) • September (£3,000) • October (£2,500) • November to December (£2,000) |
| Sunday Prices | Up to 40 guests • January (£1,000) • February (£1,000) • March (£1,500) • April to June (£2,000) • July to August (£2,500) • September (£2,000) • October (£1,000) • November to December (£1,000) Up to 110 guests • January (£2,000) • February (£2,800) • March (£4,000) • April to June (£6,000) • July to August (£7,000) • September (£6,000) • October (£2,600) • November to December (£1,800) |
