Your Place to Tie the Knot
An outdoor wedding ceremony set in Scotland can create a jaw-dropping background that will create memories to treasure for a lifetime.
If you dream of getting married with the breeze in your hair, the sun on your face and the sounds of nature all around you then you can make it happen!
Since 1 September 2014, venues haven't needed to be approved – as long as a registrar or celebrant is present, you can choose the spot. And al fresco humanist ceremonies are already legal in Scotland…
At The Old Manor Hotel we can help you organise a nearby outdoor wedding ceremony before enjoying celebratory drinks in our mature gardens, with the stunning Firth of Forth before you providing an expansive, captivating and truly beautiful setting.
You can then retire to one of our beautiful self-contained wedding suites for your wedding breakfast and wedding entertainment.
What about the weather?
Yes, of course, it’s true that Scotland gets its fair share of rainfall. So as long as you have a contingency plan in place, the weather needn’t be something to put you off.
You may be lucky enough to get a fabulous hot, sunny day – in which case you’ll need to think about providing shade and perhaps refreshments for your guests throughout the ceremony.
Whilst we can’t currently hold the ceremony in our grounds, you can choose to have your outdoor drinks reception at The Old Manor Hotel. Our team will work with you to provide a shelter for you and your guests, or alternative indoor arrangements if the clouds burst open!
What type of ceremony?
In Scotland a minister, registrar or celebrant is able to conduct your ceremony anywhere you choose, as long as the landowner has granted permission. Providing the local Registrar has been notified of the location prior to the ceremony, a legal wedding can be conducted, inside or out.
Your ceremony can still include music, readings and personal vows and you can choose either a religious or non-religious wedding. You may want to incorporate Old Scottish traditions such as hand-fasting or Quaich drinking too – see our page on civil or humanist ceremonies, and gay weddings for more information.
Special outdoor touches
To add to the beauty and unique nature of your outdoors ceremony there are lots of special little touches you can think about to enhance the day for you and your guests.
Outdoor music can be arranged to add some personal ambience, whether recorded or live (imagine the atmosphere you could create with a harp, or outdoor piano creating some background music). Some guests may also choose to add the tinkle of glass wind chimes attached to the alter or nearby trees.
To help cope with either sunshine or rain, a bunch of nice crisp white umbrellas could be available for guests, and perhaps even cosy blankets if it’s a winter wedding! If it’s a little wet on the ground, guests may make use of plastic shoe covers you could provide for them, so as not to ruin a special pair of shoes!
Ushers could be on hand to supply guests with refreshments as they arrive – from a nice cold pitcher of fresh lemonade to a steaming mug of hot chocolate, to best suit the weather.
For décor, outdoor candles and lots of flower displays around the alter and seating area will help create a pretty and romantic outdoor setting. Wildflowers would make especially beautiful bouquets and decorations for an outdoor wedding.
Quirky signage can provide creative ways to direct guests to the ceremony, or to the celebrations afterwards.
One final tip - think of your footwear! Stilettoes sinking into the grass may not be a great look.