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It is not only couples living north of the border
who can enjoy a Church of Scotland wedding ceremony. Since 1st January
1978, believers of other faiths can now be married in the Church
of Scotland as long as they believe in monogamy and the vows that
they are to take. Religious ceremonies may be conducted at any time
and in any place in Scotland including Scottish churches.
Unlike the Church of England, banns are not published and there
are no residency requirements, although notice has to be given to
a registrar no later than 15 days before the wedding date. If everything
is in order then the District Registrar will issue a Marriage Schedule
not more than seven days before the date of the ceremony. This must
be given to the minister officiating at the marriage ceremony before
the service begins.
The Church of Scotland is generally happy to marry divorced couples
although you will be asked to clarify the circumstances of your
divorce and your minister will want to be sure that your new marriage
will not be detrimental to you or any children involved. The minister
has the right to refuse to marry a couple.
For more information, see the Scottish
section of our Marriage Legal Requirements article.
The Church of Scotland believes that marriage should be a lifelong
commitment so your minister may wish to see you beforehand to help
you to understand the nature of the decision you are making and
discuss the order of service.
On the day, your ushers should be the first to arrive at the church,
about 45 minutes before the ceremony, and be primed about where
guests will sit. The front right hand pew is reserved for the groom
and best man and his close family sit in the second pew behind him.
The front left-hand pew is reserved for your parents and bridal
attendants. Split up their duties so that someone can supervise
parking arrangements, hand out buttonholes, order of service sheets
and prayer and hymn-books.
Your groom and best man should arrive at the church at least 30
minutes before the ceremony begins so that they can greet guests
as they arrive. Your guests will arrive at the church 15 to 20 minutes
before the ceremony begins and are shown to their seats by the ushers.
The next to arrive at the church are your bridesmaids and your mother
who usually wait until you arrive. The chief usher will then escort
your mother to her seat, which is the cue to the organist and guests
that you have arrived.
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