Weddings for two the legal only part of a ceremony

A Wedding For Two

an intentionally intimate adventure

Not every love story needs a big stage and not every couple wants to be centre stage when they get married.

If you’re thinking, “can we just get married without the spotlight?”

You absolutely can; it’s called a legal-only ceremony or wedding for two.

It’s just the two of you and two witnesses, coming together for the legal bit of getting married, the official part, but still a pretty special one.

No aisle. No audience. No pressure.

Just a quiet moment where you stand side by side and say, this is us… this is our beginning.

For some couples, it’s about keeping things private and deeply personal.

What does getting married mean to you?

It could be that you’re getting married abroad, taking care of the legalities before the party in the sun..

There’s something really special about stripping it all back.

No timelines to follow, no expectations to meet… just the two of you, choosing each other in the simplest, most meaningful way.

And honestly? Sometimes those are the moments that stay with you the longest.

There’s no right or wrong way to do this.

a wedding ceremonny for two on the beach in cullen for janetter and duncan and their boys

What’s your Ceremony style?

Some couples dream of the big celebration.

Others want something small, calm, and completely their own.

And if you’re reading this thinking, that sounds like us…

Then you’re probably in exactly the right place.

If a big wedding isn’t your thing, or you’re dreaming of something a little more low-key (and a lot more you), a wedding for two might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Why choose a wedding for two?

Sometimes it’s not about doing less… it’s about choosing what feels right.

For some couples, it’s the adventure of it all.

Just the two of you, somewhere beautiful, soaking it all in and thinking…

“what about getting married when we’re on holiday in Scotland”?

One of the lovely things about getting married in Scotland is you’ve got so much freedom, you can get married at your B&B, a hotel, a cosy holiday cottage, or a beautiful Scottish beach.

(Not bad for a country that also gave the world haggis and horizontal rain.)

Which means wherever you picture yourselves saying “I do,” Scotland’s probably got a spot for it.

Because sometimes it can all start to feel a bit… much.

The planning, the pressure, and of course, the cost that comes with a big wedding.

It’s not what every couple wants.

a wedding ceremony for two in their home garden

Ease the pressure

Not everyone wants to stand in front of a crowd and share something so personal.

Your vows, your feelings, your story, they can feel even more meaningful when they’re kept between the two of you.

No audience, no nerves… just the two of you, being yourselves.

Who do we need for a wedding for two

When I say no audience, you do still need a couple of people, me for instance.

As a fully licensed celebrant in Scotland, I’m legally authorised to marry you, so you’re in safe hands and two witnesses who are over 16.

If you want to keep it secret from everyone else, that works too!

I can come along with two witnesses, or if you’re having a photographer to capture the moment, they can be one of your witnesses.

And I’d thoroughly recommend having a photographer to capture that special moment.

a wedding ceremony for two, with the witnesses signing the paperwork

FAQ’s

Do I need a wedding dress?

That’s entirely up to you. Turn up in a ballgown, your favourite jeans, or your lucky hiking boots, honestly, I’ve probably seen it all.

Remember it’s your day, your way.

What does the elopement ceremony actually include?

Contrary to popular belief, a legal ceremony isn’t just two people awkwardly shuffling in front of a stranger while someone reads from a clipboard.

You can have vows, music, personal words, all of it.

Think of it as a wedding, just without the three-tier cake and the plus ones.

Is there any paperwork necessary for an elopement?

If you’re having a wedding for two, or an elopement, you still have to complete the paperwork for the registrars to confirm your marriage. (Yes, even love needs a paper trail.)

The paperwork for your marriage needs to be with the registrars between 90 days and 29 days before the ceremony. I always encourage my couples to submit it around the 90–85 day mark.

And where you’re getting married determines where the paperwork is submitted, so once you decide where that’s going to be, you can contact the local registrars for all the paperwork you need.

What is the cost for an intimate wedding?

My fee for a legal-only ceremony is £400.

Which, when you consider you’re getting a fully licensed celebrant, a genuinely lovely experience, and a marriage certificate at the end of it, is probably less than the flowers at most weddings.

How can we celebrate after the ceremony?

To celebrate, why not organise a wee picnic at the spot you’ve chosen, a bottle of something fizzy, good food, and just the two of you soaking it all in.

Or book a table at your favourite restaurant and raise a glass to the fact that you’re actually married now.

No top table, no seating plan, no cold chicken.

Just you, your person, and a very good reason to order dessert.

And if you want the big party with all your favourite people, that can come later.

The legal bit means you’re already officially, happily, undeniably married by the time you get there.