The Alternative Wedding Experience
posted 9th September 2020
Couples who come to see us about their wedding are looking to create an alternative wedding experience; they're after simply something different, and we offer that in abundance.
Since we featured on 'Don't Tell the Bride in 2012, we've helped plenty of couples enter their new life together. We get enquiries for festival weddings, intimate micro-weddings and cosy winter Roundhouse weddings these days too. In this blog, we review what Marthrown has to offer and speak with Humanist Celebrant Lindsey Mason Ross about the particulars of getting married in Scotland.
Destination Wedding - where to choose
The joy of a forest wedding is the inherent magic that the landscape offers as the backdrop for your nuptials - whether you're looking for an intimate affair or a great big festival vibe.
Perhaps our most unique offering at Marthrown of Mabie is the range of eclectic natural settings from which you can choose to say 'I do'. Here are our 3 most popular spots:
Celtic Roundhouse
This venue takes unique to the extreme. The Roundhouse will leave your guests speechless and it is magnificent both inside and out.
Located on top of the hill, the structure can hold up to 130 standing guests, has 12 inches of thatch on the roof, 13 columns supporting the structure, and 240 log ring tiles underfoot.
Whatever the weather, saying your vows under a foot of thatch means that even the sweetest of nothings can be heard. Forget walking down an aisle; why not say your nuptials surrounded by your circle of friends instead.
Overlooking the Solway Firth
The added value of getting married in Scotland is that it is legal to do so outside.
Look no further. When our trees came down 4 years ago, it opened up a truly unspoiled landscape with awe-inspiring views over the Solway Firth to the Lake District in the background.
If the weather is right, getting married with the wind blowing in your hair on our octagonal platform with your friends and family around you creates a breathtaking backdrop for your memories and photographs.
Besides a Protected Scottish Loch
Dalshinnie Loch is a designated nature reserve; sheltered from the elements and protected due to the rare dragonflies that frequent here.
Your aisle is a wooden boardwalk around the edges of the loch, opening out onto a circular plinth for the ceremony with your guests stood on the opposite shore. Serene, full of fantasy and truly romantic.
We have special rights to allow you to get married at this beautiful location, and we've even had guests get married at night time here before!
When you come to look around Marthrown, you also may discover your own unique spot,
and there is nothing to stop you from choosing a particular tree to get married under!
Guest Accommodation
Marthrown can be your very own festival wedding venue! We can sleep up to 28 people within our cottages, yurts, and tipi beds, and there is space for an extra 25-30 tents in our camping area. If you prefer the concept of a teeny-weeny micro-wedding, reserve our couples yurt just for you - we could even provide the witnesses!
Catering Options
Treat your guests to a true culinary spectacle with a spit roast (hog or venison - the choice is yours). Cooked over an 8ft long open fire for twelve hours results in a succulent meaty delight. We're happy to cater for special dietary needs, and will cook something special for you if you so desire. Last year, we provided a full Greek feast with over 28 different dishes!
Entertainment
If you are aiming for a festival vibe, there are many local bands, musicians, djs and ceilidh groups that we can recommend to keep the party going all night long. We also have contacts with local breweries and specialist drinks suppliers to keep the drinks flowing too.
The Guide to Sustainable, Zero-Waste, Ethical Weddings
https://www.77diamonds.com/sustainable-weddings
The Legals of Marriage
Friend of Marthrown and Dumfries & Galloway based Humanist Society Scotland Celebrant Lindsey Mason Ross conducts many weddings throughout the South West of Scotland and we asked Lindsey how couples go about planning their wedding ceremony.
Lindsey is a registered celebrant with the Humanist Society Scotland and conducts vow renewals as well as baby naming days and civil partnerships and weddings:
"Humanist weddings are non-religious and very personalised. Each ceremony is completely unique and includes the couple's story (or as much as they would like to share!) and their personal vows or promises as well as the legal declarations. Many couples like to include so-called symbolic gestures like handfasting or sharing a drink from the quaich - both meaningful ancient Celtic traditions that allow the couple to personalise their wedding perfectly"
The Perfect Spot
"If a couple opt for a Humanist ceremony, they can be married anywhere as long as it's safe and dignified - which makes Marthrown the perfect spot! It's such a special place and has a really romantic vibe that even less than perfect wedding day weather can't spoil! Dalshinnie Loch is like a magical land! Conducting weddings at Marthrown of Mabie is such a privilege, there is a uniqueness about Marthrown that's really worth exploring - and with Team Marthrown you're in safe hands"
Lindsey goes on to explain the legal requirements for a Scottish wedding.
"Every couple who wishes to get married in Scotland needs to submit M10 forms to the Registration Office in the district they choose to get married in. This allows the Registration Office to produce the marriage schedule which is the legal document that the couple, the celebrant, and two witnesses sign on the day. The earliest date for submission of M10s is three months before the wedding date and no later than 29 days before. It's a vital part of the wedding planning process and you can't get married without it"
Create the Alternative Wedding Experience
We offer a complimentary stay in the Couples Yurt upon receipt of your deposit so that you can get planning!
Contact us now to book a wedding tour with Mike.