Why can you conduct legal weddings in Scotland but not elsewhere?
In Scotland, certain authorised celebrants – like me – can conduct legal weddings (for same sex/opposite sex couples). Couples who are not British citizens or don’t have permanent residency in the UK will need a Marriage Visitor Visa.
In other parts of the UK (England and Wales), only civil registrars or certain religious officiants can perform legally binding weddings. In Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Norway, some authorised local celebrants can conduct legal weddings – but I am not authorised there.
Outside Scotland, I am still happy to guide you through a non-legal, symbolic ceremony anywhere you like.
What is a symbolic ceremony
A symbolic ceremony is entirely centered on you, your story, and your preferences – without religious structures or formal procedures.
It gives you space for personal words and rituals that truly reflect who you are. For many couples – especially those living between countries, cultures, or languages – this is often the most authentic way to celebrate their connection.
How does a bilingual ceremony work in practice?
In most cases, I create bilingual ceremonies with a smooth, flowing switch between German and English. Both languages are part of the ceremony from the very beginning – not as translations, but as equally valid ways of expressing your story.
This keeps the ceremony calm and natural, allowing everyone present to follow along, no matter which language they speak.
Depending on the couple and their guests, other approaches are also possible:
Certain sections can be in just one language
Key moments or passages can appear in both languages
One language can guide the overall flow, with the other added at specific points
Which approach works best depends on your personalities, languages, and the overall structure of the ceremony – not on a fixed model.
I’ve described this in more detail in an article for All The Ceremonies. You can find the link here.
What it's like to work with me
Getting started is simple: you can contact me via a form and I’ll reply by email, or send me a message on WhatsApp. If you like, we can also meet for a video call. Whatever you preference is, communication wise, I am happy to go with that.
If you decide to work with me, we’ll create your ceremony step by step. I listen closely to your ideas, pay attention to what matters most to you, and guide you with care and sensitivity. Along the way, I share my experience and ideas to provide guidance and inspiration.
How do the costs work?
I accompany ceremonies in very different places, so I don’t work with fixed packages.
I’ll prepare a clear, transparent quote for you, which includes my fee for preparing and leading the ceremony, along with travel time and expenses.
Weddings abroad, bilingual ceremonies, or planning across countries often bring their own challenges and questions. Some are practical, while others relate to legal requirements – especially in Scotland, where weddings are handled differently than in many other places.
Here, I’ve gathered the topics that come up most often in conversations with couples: from my role as a celebrant in Scotland and beyond, to symbolic or non-religious ceremonies across Europe, and everything in between, including pricing and how we work together.
FAQ
Do you also work outside Scotland – for example in England or elsewhere in Europe?
Yes.
Over the past few years, I’ve led many German-speaking and bilingual ceremonies in my home in Scotland – often for couples and families whose lives, families, and stories span multiple countries. Through this, it has become even clearer how important it is that words are understandable, approachable, and authentic for everyone. Whether your wedding brings together different languages, cultures, or family traditions, I aim to create a ceremony where everyone feels included and connected. For German-speaking couples, it’s especially valuable to experience the ceremony in their own language – wherever you choose to get married – so that every nuance, emotion, and personal word truly comes across.
That’s why, starting in 2026, I am consciously extending my work beyond Scotland – to other parts of the UK and various European countries.
Wherever your ceremony takes place, the care, attention, and depth I bring remain the same.
How can you integrate faith and spirituality?
Some couples bring religious roots, family rituals, or a personal spirituality with them. Others do not. For me, it’s about incorporating faith and spirituality with sensitivity, respect, and a keen sense of what supports and enhances your ceremony.
My two-year training with the OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation as an Interfaith Minister and Celebrant gives me a solid foundation for this.