Legal Formalities for Wedding Ceremonies

How the Legal Formalities Work

I create bespoke wedding ceremonies and vow renewal ceremonies for couples in East Lothian and beyond. While I do not conduct the legal registration of marriage, many couples are now choosing to complete their legal paperwork separately.

Why Separate Your Legal Paperwork?

This is a great option for couples who wish to:

• Have a highly personalised ceremony
• Have an extended ceremony incorporating extra elements such as musicians, readings and traditional rituals
• Have a celebration here at home after getting married abroad
• Have flexibility with timing or location e.g an outdoor wedding
• Have a private legal moment that is separate from the celebration itself

Option 1: Registry Office Appointment

You can attend a short simple appointment at a local registry office to complete your legal registration. Then you can have your celebrant-led wedding ceremony that is focused entirely on your story, your own vows and your celebration. This option allows flexibility and a more relaxed ceremony with complete creative freedom on the day. You can include anything you so wish and shape your ceremony exactly the way you want it.

For many couples, the ceremony, vows and promises spoken in front of family and friends is the real meaningful stand out moment.

Option 2: Registrar Present on the Day

Another option is to have both your celebrant and a registrar present on the day of your ceremony to conduct both the legal formalities and personalised ceremony at the same time.

Please note: The cost of a registrar is not included in my celebrant service fee and must be arranged independently.

East Lothian Council Registrar Services

East Lothian Council provides registrar services for marriage ceremonies and civil partnerships. It is highly recommended to contact them in advance to book appointments or to arrange marriage ceremonies.