Decide what type of ceremony you want

The first step in planning and arranging a marriage or civil partnership is to decide what kind of ceremony you want. 

Marriage

You can get married in 2 ways in Scotland:

1. A religious or belief ceremony. A religious or belief marriage may take place anywhere and can be solemnised only by a minister, clergyman, pastor, priest or other person approved to do so under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977.
2. A civil ceremony conducted by a registrar. A civil marriage may take place in a registration office or at an authorised venue.

Civil partnership

A civil partnership registration may take place in a registration office or at an authorised venue and must be registered by a registrar or assistant registrar.