Can you have a micro wedding in Scotland with a humanist celebrant?

In Scotland, religious and belief celebrants, including humanist celebrants, can conduct legal weddings. That means your humanist ceremony is not just symbolic, it is the legal marriage. You can hold it almost anywhere you agree with the celebrant, indoors or outdoors, from a living room to a clifftop. For a micro wedding, this is ideal because you can choose a meaningful, intimate location without needing a large venue.

The legal steps are straightforward. Each partner must submit a marriage notice to the registrar for the district where the wedding will take place, at least 29 days before the ceremony. Registrars advise giving 10 to 12 weeks' notice to be safe. You will need two witnesses aged 16 or over. The humanist celebrant will guide you through the paperwork and the ceremony itself, which you can shape to reflect your values and story.

A micro wedding with a humanist celebrant in Scotland can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. You might have a short ceremony, a few readings, and then a meal with your witnesses. The key is that the ceremony is legal, personal and unhurried. For specific details about your district and celebrant, check with the registrar or the humanist society's website, and always confirm current rules on GOV.UK.