I love a Marischal College wedding - and it's good thing, too, seeing as they make up around 80% of my bookings! The ceremonies take place in a beautiful room and the general vibe is relaxed, intimate and unhurried. Good choice, you two!
But, if you've paid your deposit and now you're wondering, "How does this all work?" fear not. I'm here to help.
Over the years, my Marischal College couples have asked me the same set of questions over and over again - so I've made life simple and pulled them together on this page. This is based on what I've been told by both my couples and the registrars, but, if anything's going to have a big effect on how you plan your day, please do double check with your registrar.
What's The Plan? When and Where Do We Meet Everyone?
Your registrar will ask you and your guests/witnesses to meet them in the waiting area just inside the main entrance to Marischal College fifteen (or, occasionally, thirty) minutes before your ceremony. This is where I will meet you, too.
If you're in town on a weekday, you can pop into the main lobby and you will see the waiting area to your left.
On your right, the wall opposite the main entrance is wooden with frosted glass windows set into it - this is the Grant Room, so you don't have far to go for your ceremony. There is disabled access and there are toilets in the corridor outside.
Do We Enter the Room Separately Or Together?
This is up to you. I have seen couples both enter the room along with all their guests/witnesses. I have seen couples enter the room together, after their guests are seated. I have seen one partner walk down the aisle towards the other, having already seen each other in the waiting area (or spent the morning together). And I have seen one partner hide in Starbucks and have somebody run across the road to get them after everybody else has gone through to the Grant Room (be warned, though: this does tend to make your ceremony run a little late).
It's helpful if the registrar and I both know what's going to happen beforehand, but we're both here to give you the best wedding for you.
How Long Does the Ceremony Last? What Are the Timings Like?
A straightforward exchange of vows can be done very quickly - the legal requirement is only a couple of sentences each, followed by signing the register. Even if you have opted for longer or for more unique vows, added in readings, or chosen to have a special tradition (e.g. a hand fasting), Marischal College ceremonies generally take no more than twenty minutes, including signing the register.
At the end of the ceremony, the registrar and I will work on the assumption you're going to walk/wheel/boogie down the aisle together, unless you tell us otherwise. You can come back down the aisle and stop when you reach me; you can exit the room and take a few moments to yourselves; or you can stay right there, where you said your vows, and have your guests/witnesses come to you. It's really useful if I know what you're planning to do beforehand, so please do tell me when you fill in your pre-wedding questionnaire!
This leaves us with around twenty minutes in the room for any group and/or couple photos you would like to have taken indoors; most couples allow ten minutes for groups and ten minutes for their couple photos.
Even for the shortest photography booking, this leaves time for some further photos after leaving the building.
Where Do we take Group Photos?
Depending on your preferences (and, to a certain extent, the weather), we can take group photos in the Grant Room and/or on Broad Street.
I recommend making a list of your five or six essential groups - the ones which ensure that, if there's a blizzard raging outdoors, we will get at least one picture of every guest before we leave the Grant Room. For most couples this is: full group; partner one's family; partner two's family; partner one's I Do Crew/siblings; partner two's I Do Crew/siblings; the two of you plus any children you may have.
Then, if there are any smaller "nice to have" groups, we can do these outdoors, weather permitting.
If you have booked me for longer coverage, there is also the option to get group photos at your reception or at any additional locations.
Where Can We Go For Our Couple Photos?
If you have booked my two hour package, we have a whole hour to play with - this is enough time to hop in a taxi and get to most of the prettiest locations within Aberdeen. If you've made a longer booking, well... it's entirely up to you!
Within walking distance of Marischal College, we have the whole city centre - the pretty streets (or the urban graffitied streets); Union Terrace Gardens; the Art Gallery; your favourite coffee shop; the pub where you first met.
A little further afield, we have Old Aberdeen (including my personal favourite: Cruickshank Botanic Gardens); Fittie; various parks; the beach; assorted woodlands and riverside walks... you name it.
(It's worth noting that most indoor venues and several parks/formal gardens do charge for permission to take photos there, but it's usually a small amount)
If you don't already have somewhere in mind, it can help to think about the time of year (will the flowers be out? will the leaves be golden? is your preferred location likely to be busy?) and the parts of town which have significance for you. Where did you meet? Where do you like to go together? What would your ideal date be?
I am always happy to help you brainstorm, too.
Do You Have Any Other Questions?
Please do let me know. I'm here to help your planning go smoothly.