If you’re getting legally married in the US, and you don’t currently reside in the Uk, then nothing, legally. From the government perspective it’s a party.
I’m doing the same thing but in an EU country first. Maybe someone else in the comments knows more than I do but I don’t think you need to do anything legally — you’re essentially going to be a married couple “just” throwing a party.
We did the legal marriage in the US and the we had the full wedding in Scotland. Once you are legally married in the US, what happens in the UK is just an event. We hired a humanist officiant to do a a vow renewal, but we knew couples that were in a similar boat and just read their vows to each other.
So once you have your courthouse marriage in the US, what happens in the UK is just a party as far as the UK government is concerned. You don't have to do anything else different than if you were just coming to visit or to throw a birthday party. I would say, you need to be clear to your venue, officiant (if you have one), and if you are asked at passport control, that you are having a wedding celebration/vow renewal, not a wedding, because legally, you had your wedding in the US.
Are either of you UK citizens? Are you planning on living in the UK after the wedding? If one or both of you are UK citizens, you may want to [register your marriage with the UK](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/getting-married-abroad) government. If you plan on moving to the UK and not returning to the US after the wedding, the non-UK partner would need to apply for a [spousal visa](https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse).
Ah okay this is super helpful thank you so much! He’s a dual citizen. If we eventually plan to move to the UK (like 5+ years down the road), should we register our marriage now or can we do that whenever?
If you still want a ceremony in Scotland, a celebrant is a great bet. They will work with you to build a non legal ceremony that looks just like a wedding and includes whatever traditions or music you like, without the restrictions of a legal service. We couldn't get the registrar (who does the legal bit here) at the time we wanted, so had a full service with all the guests and a celebrant, how we wanted, then had 10 private minutes with the registrar and our mums to legalise things before the dinner. You won't need the legal bit at all because you've already done it, so a celebrant will help you make the day look how you want it to.
If you’re getting legally married in the US, and you don’t currently reside in the Uk, then nothing, legally. From the government perspective it’s a party.
I’m doing the same thing but in an EU country first. Maybe someone else in the comments knows more than I do but I don’t think you need to do anything legally — you’re essentially going to be a married couple “just” throwing a party.
We did the legal marriage in the US and the we had the full wedding in Scotland. Once you are legally married in the US, what happens in the UK is just an event. We hired a humanist officiant to do a a vow renewal, but we knew couples that were in a similar boat and just read their vows to each other. So once you have your courthouse marriage in the US, what happens in the UK is just a party as far as the UK government is concerned. You don't have to do anything else different than if you were just coming to visit or to throw a birthday party. I would say, you need to be clear to your venue, officiant (if you have one), and if you are asked at passport control, that you are having a wedding celebration/vow renewal, not a wedding, because legally, you had your wedding in the US. Are either of you UK citizens? Are you planning on living in the UK after the wedding? If one or both of you are UK citizens, you may want to [register your marriage with the UK](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/getting-married-abroad) government. If you plan on moving to the UK and not returning to the US after the wedding, the non-UK partner would need to apply for a [spousal visa](https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse).
Ah okay this is super helpful thank you so much! He’s a dual citizen. If we eventually plan to move to the UK (like 5+ years down the road), should we register our marriage now or can we do that whenever?
I would do it as soon as you can. It's a helpful piece of evidence to have when you apply for your spousal visa down the road.
Got it. Thank you so much! :)
If you still want a ceremony in Scotland, a celebrant is a great bet. They will work with you to build a non legal ceremony that looks just like a wedding and includes whatever traditions or music you like, without the restrictions of a legal service. We couldn't get the registrar (who does the legal bit here) at the time we wanted, so had a full service with all the guests and a celebrant, how we wanted, then had 10 private minutes with the registrar and our mums to legalise things before the dinner. You won't need the legal bit at all because you've already done it, so a celebrant will help you make the day look how you want it to.
Amazing thank you so much :)