Weddings at St Paul’s Cathedral

Congratulations!

We are delighted to hear that you have decided to get married and that you may be thinking of having the marriage service or blessing at St Paul’s Cathedral. The information here should help give you an idea of what being married at the Cathedral will involve.

Since 2017, the Scottish Episcopal Church recognises and is able to celebrate marriage between same-sex couples. St. Paul’s is therefore delighted to be able to celebrate equal marriage.

The legal side

Under Scots law every wedding must have a Schedule from the Registrar of Marriages, otherwise the ceremony cannot go ahead. I Want to Get Married in Scotland: How Do I Go About It? explains what you need to know about how to obtain a Schedule. It will take at least a month, and the sooner you contact the Registrar to arrange it, the better for your own peace of mind. The Registrar of Marriages in Dundee can be contacted at 20 City Square, Dundee, Angus DD1 3BD;  +44(0)1382 435222.

Dates

If you already have a date in mind and you are thinking of having the ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral, please contact the Cathedral Office as soon as possible and before you confirm any other bookings, to check that the Cathedral is available.

Why get married at St Paul’s Cathedral?

St Paul’s Cathedral is a wonderful place to get married or in which to have your marriage blessed.  A spectacular setting at the heart of the city, great music which can include bells and the Cathedral choir, the grand yet intimate surroundings of the Cathedral, and a service you have planned that is both joyful and reverent, will all help to make this a fitting way to mark the commitment you are making to each other and a day to remember all your lives.

Do I have to be a member of the Cathedral or another church to be married at St Paul’s or to have my marriage blessed there?

No, you don’t need to be a member. However, we’d love to welcome you to one of our Sunday or midweek services. When we first meet, we’ll explore together whether St Paul’s — and a distinctly Christian wedding service — feels like the right setting for your marriage.

We don’t believe in God — can I still get married in the church?

This is something we can explore together when we meet. A church wedding is a Christian service: it includes prayers, readings from the Bible, and vows made before God. Even if you’re unsure about faith, we’re glad to talk with you about what a church wedding involves and why you’d like to be married here, so you can decide if it feels right for you both.

I’ve been married before – can we still get married in Church?

St Paul’s marries a lot of people who are doing this for the second time around. The clergy can agree to marry people in that situation with the bishop’s permission. The important thing to do is to talk to one of the clergy about this.

We are getting married elsewhere, but would like a church blessing – is this possible?

Yes!

What will the service be like?

You can see some of the options for the words that will be said here:
http://scotland.anglican.org/index.php?/liturgy/liturgy/marriage_liturgy_2007/

What kind of music can we have?

Here at St Paul’s we have a Director of Music who will talk with you about options for music during the service. The Cathedral has a wonderful organ, built in 1865 and it is also possible to book the choir or other musicians for the service. We can also arrange for the bells of the Cathedral to be rung on your wedding day.

How much will it cost?

Fees for 2023 provides a guide (fees are updated annually and the fees for the year of your wedding will apply). The total amount will vary depending on what you choose. We’ll be happy to talk you through the various choices and possibilities.

What’s next?

Please contact the Cathedral Office if you would like to meet one of the clergy team to discuss your wedding. If you already have dates in mind, please let the office know. We look forward to hearing from you!