Organisations who lead marriages: consultation - easy read version

What we mean when we say marriages or civil partnerships

In this document, when we say ‘marriages’ or ‘weddings’ we mean both:

• marriages and
• civil partnerships

Marriages are when 2 people agree to be married.

At the wedding ceremony they share promises, often in front of family and friends.

A civil partnership means a relationship that by law gives those 2 people many of the same rights and responsibilities as if they were married.

At the ceremony they might choose to share special words in front of family and friends.

At the moment 2 people in Scotland can choose these ways to get married:

1. Their marriage or civil partnership can have a religious or belief ceremony.

A religious or belief ceremony is an event that happens as part of a faith or belief. For example this could be a wedding in a church or a mosque.

2. Their marriage or civil partnership can have no religious or belief part to their ceremony.

For example this could be a ceremony in a town hall with a registrar.

Marriages and civil partnerships which are not religious or based on beliefs are led by a registrar.

A registrar is the person who collects and saves the details about every:

• birth
• death
• marriage
• civil partnership

in their area.

Registrars will not be affected by our plans for new rules and laws.

Marriages and civil partnerships which are based on religions or beliefs are led by celebrants.

Celebrants are special people who:

• stand with the couple
• lead the ceremony
• sign the papers

This consultation is about new rules that celebrants and their organisations may have to follow.