Frequently Asked Questions
We've planned countless elopements across Scotland - so we think we can answer all your questions here. If we've missed something, pop the question (pun intended) below!
How Far In Advance Should We Start Planning?
As soon as possible! The best suppliers (the ones we work with) can be booked up years in advance, so the sooner you let us begin planning for you the better. (but you're here now so you've already started ... check you out)
Don't panic though we've planned weddings with as little as 8 week's notice, and vow renewals with just 5 days!
In Scotland you need to let the registrar know your planning to legally marry no less than 30 days before the day - so if you're planning a legal wedding this is the very latest we can help you!
We want to get legally married at home and do a vow renewal in Scotland, can you help with this?
Awwww you guys - check you out being so in love you can't wait to make it official!! We get that sometimes it is daunting planning a legal wedding in another country, so if you want to formalise things back home and celebrate your vows in Scotland we can help. Although don't be scared about the paperwork - we are experts at helping sort it all
We've started planning ourselves but it is all getting a bit too much, can you help?
Right! Planning a wedding is a full time job - we get it! Even if you've sorted a few, some, or most of the details, we can definitely help finishing plans to make sure things run smoothly. Just get in touch
How much should we budget for an elopement wedding in Scotland?
It is hard to answer this (Sorry!).
Although we can help, Most couples plan their own travel and accommodation (so we won't include costs for this here).
Our bespoke packages start from £985 (this includes your Scottish elopement wedding planner, an outside venue and a personal legal wedding ceremony delivered by a celebrant).
Beyond that the costs vary significantly, your Elopement planner will give you the finer details depending on what you tell us. Our suppliers are chosen to suit a range of budgets - so let us know your budget and we will stick to it.
It is worth noting to register a legal wedding in Scotland you'll need to pay registration fees (£100) and possibly visa fees (£127) as well. We can't include these in our costs, but we can help you apply for them.
We want to include a few close friends or family in the wedding, how do we do this?
Aren't you popular!! Lucky them! Just let us know the details and we can plan this too! And if they aren't with you in person, we have ways of helping them be with you in spirit!
We don't like the look of one of the suppliers or the venue you've found. Can we change it?
You bet. we are great at what we do - but nobody is perfect. If we haven't found the right fit for you we are big enough to admit when we are wrong. We can change the suppliers or venue as long as you let us know with enough time to find an alternative.
We read we need to complete some paperwork etc for a wedding, what's the deal with this?
Nerd alert! We're joking - well done for getting stuck in to the detail. You're right, to get married you may need a visa, and you will definitely need to let the registrar know. We can help with these, but we can't apply or pay for them for you.
Not being funny, but who are you?
Where are our manners? We should have introduced ourselves. We're an independent Scottish wedding elopement company founded by a husband and wife team in central Scotland. we've been involved in wedding planning for years but got frustrated with seeing how hard it was for international couples to have the magic day they deserved in Scotland (without being overcharged) - so we started Tartan and Thistle to try and fix things.
Are you LGBTQ+ Friendly?
You're joking right? Of course we are.
Love
Means
love
when it comes to marriage Scotland is pretty progressive. Same sex marriage has been legal since 2014, and civil partnerships since 2004. and Scotland is one of the few countries where Humanist ceremonies are legal, meaning since 2005 you can have a totally personal, entirely unique and non-religious wedding.
Scotland - home of old castles , and a very modern view on love.
Why should we use an Scottish Elopement Wedding Planning service?
TLDR: Planning a wedding is hard and stressful, we're sure you guys are strong enough to withstand it - but why risk falling out over wedding planning. Let experts do the hard work.
Long Answer: Wedding planning is difficult and complex, the legal requirements in Scotland are likely to be different to what you're used to back home and we think it would be a nightmare if you missed something really important in the run up.
You'll probably want someone you can trust to help with all the finer details - and unlike some elopement planners, we are based in Scotland and have great local connections.
Can I plan a special surprise for my partner on our wedding day?
You smooth mover! Of course you can, let your elopement wedding planner know it is a secret and see how good we are at keeping quiet!
We really want to get married somewhere specific can you help?
Yes! Our marriage celebrants are authorised to conduct weddings anywhere in Scotland (as long as it is safe, and they have the landowner's permission). So if you're looking for a location from Harry Potter, Outland or Traitors, or if your ancestral clan has sacred ground or if you just want to be close to a great pub for a celebration drink later... we can help!