Weddings

Both Dundonald Parish Church and Symington Parish Church are available for wedding ceremonies, and both offer a beautiful building in which to do that.

Wedding ceremonies are subject to rules and criteria set out by the Church of Scotland. The Church does not regard marriage as a sacrament and ministers are free to marry people who are not members of the Church of Scotland. However, if neither the bride nor groom is a member of the Church, the first approach should be to minister of the parish in which one or other of them resides. In places where parish boundaries are not obvious, the local presbytery clerk should be able to advise.

What's the First Step?

If you are considering getting married in either Dundonald Parish Church or Symington Parish Church, it's important to get in touch with Rev Tom McLeod (Interim Moderator) as soon as possible. This allows time to get to know you a little, make sure the date you had in mind is available, and if you are not a church member, the minister will want to discuss with you whether a religious ceremony is what you are looking for, whether it will have meaning for you, and whether he agrees it is appropriate in your situation.

Church Capacity

Although both churches are beautiful places to have your wedding ceremony, they are not the same size, and therefore a wedding service in which a large number of guests are expected might better be accommodated in Dundonald Parish Church, which can seat roughly 150 people. Symington Parish Church can seat roughly 80 people.

Wedding Costs

There is a small fee for the use of a church, the services of the church officer, the organist, and sound/video operator if you wish to live stream the service or play sound or video before, during or after the service. You should discuss your requirements when you meet with the minister.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions that are frequently asked in relation to weddings in the Church of Scotland, and their answers.

Can people come from outwith Scotland to be married in a Church of Scotland church?
Yes, this is possible. Marriage in Scotland takes place under Scots Law, and those people who satisfy its requirements may be married. However, the local minister also has to agree to conduct the wedding. In practice, some ministers are not able to marry everyone who comes from outwith their parish; some locations have a very high demand for weddings and it is not possible to fit these in as well as more immediate parish duties. In all cases, a minister will wish to interview a couple before agreeing to marry them, so that he or she is satisfied that a religious ceremony is appropriate. It is helpful if the couple have a reason for approaching a particular parish minister - family, knowledge of the place, etc. The minister may suggest that the couple arrange for their own minister to conduct the wedding.

Can a minister of another Church conduct a wedding in Scotland?
Yes, if the Scottish Registrar is willing to accept him or her. For this, the registrar may need documentary evidence that the minister is in good standing with his or her home Church. The minister of the church in which the marriage is to be celebrated would also need to give approval. Is it true that a minister can marry a couple anywhere? A. Yes, but not all are willing or able to do so. Some may feel, for example, that a particular location does not contribute as well as a church does to the meaning of the ceremony. However, it is now possible for civil weddings to be carried out by registrars outside Registry Offices in approved venues.

What if I am marrying a Roman Catholic?
This is not in itself a bar to marriage in a Church of Scotland church, provided that your fiancé(e) is happy with the marriage service used by the minister. It is probably wise to discuss your plans with your own priest, so that you will be aware of the implications of your decision.

Can divorced people be remarried in the Church of Scotland?
Marriage is not understood in the Church of Scotland to be a sacrament, and therefore binding for ever. A minister may therefore conduct the marriage of a divorced person whose former spouse is still alive. He or she, however, will wish to be certain that problems which gave rise to the first divorce are not likely to be repeated. The future well being of children from the first marriage is also taken into account. The final decision rests with the minister concerned.

Blessing of a civil marriage
Ministers of the Church of Scotland can also conduct blessing ceremonies for civil marriages (those which were legally conducted by a registrar and not in a church). The couple seeking a blessing on their marriage stand together at the front of the church, and may be attended by friends. Our guide on blessing of a civil marriage includes a suggested sermon and procedure.

More Information

You can find more information about the legal requirements of all weddings and civil weddings, and the process for the type of ceremony you want, on the National Records of Scotland website.