Choosing to host a destination wedding in another country can be daunting because every culture does things differently. If you’re coming to Scotland from the USA or Canada then we hope this starter guide to understanding the in’s and out’s of being married in Scotland is helpful!

WEDDING DAY TIMELINE

The wedding day timeline for Scottish weddings can be slightly different to USA or Canadian weddings. Unlike what might be normal across the atlantic, first look photo shoots don’t often take place here – it is considered unlucky for the Groom to see the Bride before she walks down the aisle amongst locals! This means that the normal time for a Wedding Ceremony in Scotland is usually conducted between 1pm - 3pm, a little earlier than you might be used to!

That said, many Scottish Wedding Planners are very experienced in working timelines to suit what you want, so if a first look is a must for you, don’t be shy to ask!

TIPPING

Here in the UK, tipping is not as mainstream as it is in the USA and is considered a generous thank you gesture. To many of our North American clients, the prices of food and beverages often seem a little higher to the USA and Canadian market but this is because there are laws in the UK which set a minimum wage, meaning you can be sure that all of your staff are being paid appropriately for the work they do. Waiting staff never expect to be tipped by the couple on the day and this should really only be done if the couple absolutely loved the service they’ve received. This goes for all other vendors too.

DIFFERENT TERMINOLOGIES

So, while many of our clients are speaking the same language (English!), there are still some discrepancies between the terms we use for certain aspects of the Wedding.

For example, the term "Wedding breakfast" refers to the evening wedding meal, this is a traditional phrase because it is your first meal as a married couple. Here is a short list of some of the key phrases that may cause you some confusion;

Wedding breakfast = Wedding meal
Drinks reception = Cocktail hour
Canapes = Hors d’oeuvres
Starters = Appetisers
Main course = Entree

TAXES

Our equivalent of state taxes is known as VAT which is set at a rate of 20% and this might be applicable across your Wedding vendors. Not all vendors and suppliers will charge VAT depending on how big their company is and what they are providing but your planner can keep you right on this.

DAYLIGHT THROUGH THE SEASONS

Daylight here in Scotland is very variable throughout the year. In the Winter months from November to February there can be as little as 7-9 hours of daylight whereas in the Summer months from May to September you can have 16-18 hours. Daylight hours are an important factor in considering your timeline if you wish for photos in natural light, an outdoor ceremony or sunset shots.