Scotland Wedding Cost Calculator (2025)

Planning a Scottish wedding combines breathtaking landscapes with unique cultural traditions. The average Scotland wedding costs £22,400, with Edinburgh city venues ranging from £6,500-£11,800 and Highland castles from £8,500-£18,000. Scottish weddings include distinctive elements like ceilidh bands, bagpipers, Highland dress, and whisky ceremonies that make your celebration authentically Caledonian.

Use our Scotland-specific calculator below to estimate costs, including bagpipers, kilts, ceilidh bands, and remote Highland venue logistics—elements unique to Scottish celebrations.

Scottish Wedding Budget Calculator

 

Scotland Wedding Venue Costs by Region

Scottish Region	Average Venue Cost	Best For
Edinburgh City	£7,800-£11,500	Historic venues, city convenience, castle views
Glasgow & Surrounds	£6,800-£10,200	Urban chic, West End elegance, value pricing
Central Scotland (Stirling, Perth)	£7,500-£11,000	Accessible castles, Loch views, good value
Scottish Borders	£6,500-£9,500	Country houses, rolling hills, budget-friendly
Highlands (Fort William, Inverness)	£10,500-£16,000	Dramatic mountains, remote castles, epic views
West Coast & Islands (Skye, Mull, Arran)	£12,000-£20,000	Ultimate romance, exclusive venues, adventure

Top 15 Scottish Wedding Venues by Budget

Budget-Friendly Scottish Venues (£6,000-£8,500)

• The Caves (Edinburgh) - Underground vaults beneath South Bridge
• Summerhall (Edinburgh) - Arts venue with character
• Òran Mór (Glasgow) - Converted church with stunning ceiling
• Dryburgh Abbey Hotel (Borders) - Historic ruins setting

Mid-Range Scottish Venues (£8,500-£12,000)

• Edinburgh Castle - Iconic but pricey exclusive areas
• Stirling Castle - Renaissance grandeur
• Dundas Castle (South Queensferry) - Private castle near Edinburgh
• Loch Lomond Arms Hotel - Loch-side charm
• The Balmoral (Edinburgh) - Five-star luxury

Premium Highland & Castle Venues (£12,000+)

• Eilean Donan Castle (Kyle of Lochalsh) - Scotland's most iconic castle
• Glenapp Castle (Ayrshire) - Exclusive use country house
• Inverlochy Castle (Fort William) - Ben Nevis backdrop luxury
• Kinloch Lodge (Isle of Skye) - Remote island luxury
• Drumtochty Castle (Aberdeenshire) - Exclusive Victorian castle
• Fonab Castle (Pitlochry) - Boutique Highland castle hotel

Scotland vs UK Average Wedding Costs

Expense Category	UK Average	Scotland Average	Difference
Venue & Catering	£7,324	£9,200	+26%
Highland Dress (Kilts)	£0	£1,200	Scottish-only
Bagpiper	£0	£350	Scottish tradition
Ceilidh Band	£1,959	£850	Replaces DJ
Photography	£2,938	£2,400-3,360	+Travel for remote
Total Wedding	£24,482	£22,400-28,500	Varies by location

Scottish Wedding Traditions & Costs

Highland Dress (Kilts)

What you need to know:

• Full Highland dress hire: £150-300 per person
• Purchase outfit: £800-2,000+ (becomes family heirloom)
• Includes: Kilt, sporran, sgian dubh (knife), kilt pin, jacket, waistcoat, ghillie brogues
• Typical setup: Groom + 5 groomsmen = £1,200-1,800 hire
• Tartans: Family tartan, location tartan (e.g. Edinburgh tartan), or universal tartans like Black Watch

Bagpiper

Essential for authentic Scottish atmosphere:

• Cost: £300-500 for 2 hours
• When they play: Bride's arrival, ceremony entrance, ceilidh introduction
• Optional extras: +£100-200 for extended evening performance
• Popular tunes: Highland Cathedral, Scotland the Brave, Flower of Scotland

Ceilidh Band

The heart of Scottish wedding celebrations:

• Cost: £600-1,200 for 3-4 piece band
• What's included: Caller (instructor), 3-4 hours of music, all equipment
• Popular dances: Strip the Willow, Gay Gordons, Dashing White Sergeant, Flying Scotsman
• Why better than DJ: Gets all ages dancing, teaches guests, authentic Scottish experience

Whisky Bar & Dram Ceremony

Increasingly popular Scottish tradition:

• Dram ceremony: £200-400 (couple shares whisky from quaich - traditional two-handled cup)
• Whisky bar upgrade: £500-1,200 (selection of Scottish malts for tasting)
• Popular choices: Highland Park, Talisker, Lagavulin, Glenmorangie
• Serves: 100ml per guest = £300-600 for 90 people

Handfasting Ceremony

Ancient Celtic binding ritual:

• Celebrant cost: £150-300
• What it is: Couple's hands bound together with tartan or cord
• Legality: Symbolic only - requires separate legal ceremony
• Best for: Outdoor ceremonies, Celtic heritage couples, unique tradition

Remote Highland Venue Considerations

Additional Costs for Highland/Island Weddings

Extra Cost	Amount	Why Necessary
Guest Shuttle Buses	£600-1,200	Remote venues need transport from accommodation
Supplier Travel	+15-22%	Photographers, florists charge travel to Highlands
Generator Hire	£300-600	Some remote venues need backup power
Weather Contingency	+£800-1,500	Marquee sides, heating for unpredictable weather
Guest Accommodation	£120-250/night	Most castle venues require 2-night stays

Highland Wedding Logistics

Plan for these unique challenges:

• Midges (June-September): Budget £200-400 for midge nets, repellent, and outdoor fans
• Single-track roads: Add 30-45 minutes to travel times for suppliers
• Weather backup: Always have an indoor Plan B - Scottish weather is unpredictable
• Exclusive use requirements: Many Highland castles require 2-3 night exclusive hire (£15,000-35,000 total)
• Limited suppliers: Book 18-24 months ahead - fewer photographers/florists in remote areas

Best Months for Scottish Weddings

Scotland's dramatic seasonal variations affect both cost and experience:

• January-March (Winter): Save 16%. Snowy castles, Northern Lights potential, no midges. Indoor venues are essential. Average: £18,820
• April-May (Spring): Save 8%. Wildflowers are blooming, and it's lambing season. Still cool weather. Average: £20,610
• June-August (Summer Peak): +18% premium. Longest daylight (11 pm sunsets!). Midge season. Festival season in Edinburgh. Average: £26,430
• September-October (Autumn - BEST): +8% premium. Best weather, autumn colours, fewer midges. Most popular season. Average: £24,190
• November-December (Winter): Save 12%. Festive atmosphere, dramatic weather. Hogmanay season. Average: £19,710

The Midge Problem

Scottish midges (tiny biting flies) are active June-early September, especially:

• Peak season: July-August
• Worst locations: West Highlands, Loch-side venues, islands
• Best conditions: Windy days, bright sunshine, coastal locations
• Solutions: Smidge spray (£200 for 90 guests), indoor backup, evening-only outdoor activities

Scottish Wedding Catering

Traditional Scottish fare costs:

• Traditional Scottish menu: £45-75 per head (haggis, neeps & tatties, Scottish salmon, Cullen skink)
• Modern Scottish fusion: £55-95 per head
• Whisky pairing: +£15-30 per head
• Cranachan dessert: Traditional Scottish dessert (raspberries, cream, whisky, oats)
• Shortbread favours: £2-4 per guest

How to Save Money on Your Scottish Wedding

1. Book September-October, avoid June-August peak - Save £4,000+ while getting better weather than summer
2. Choose Central Scotland over remote Highlands - Stirling/Perth areas save 15-22% on supplier travel
3. Winter wedding - Save 16%, create a magical snowy castle atmosphere, and avoid midges
4. Buy kilts instead of hiring - If 8+ people need them, buying breaks even and creates a family heirloom
5. Friday wedding - Save 20-25% on venues, guests can make a weekend of it
6. Cheese wedding cake - Save £300-500, pairs beautifully with whisky
7. Glasgow over Edinburgh - Similar quality venues at 15% lower prices
8. Combine a ceilidh band with a DJ - Ceilidh first half, DJ second = best value entertainment

Scottish Wedding Guest Accommodation

Location Type	Budget Options	Mid-Range	Luxury
Edinburgh	£65-95/night	£110-180/night	£220-450/night
Glasgow	£55-85/night	£95-150/night	£180-320/night
Highland Hotels	£75-110/night	£130-220/night	£280-500/night
Castle Exclusive Use	N/A	N/A	£5,000-12,000/night (sleeps 20-40)

Why Choose a Cheese Wedding Cake in Scotland?

• Perfect whisky pairing: Scottish cheese + Scottish whisky = perfection
• Cost savings: £110-340 vs £500-800 for traditional cakes
• Serves as food: Essential for remote venues where evening buffet logistics are challenging
• Scottish artisan cheese: Isle of Mull cheddar, Lanark Blue, Caboc - support Scottish producers
• Practical for Highland venues: Doesn't need refrigeration like traditional cakes
• Conversation starter: International guests love experiencing Scottish cheese varieties

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an average Scottish wedding cost?

The average Scottish wedding costs £22,400. Edinburgh city weddings average £24,500, while Highland castle weddings range from £28,000 to £ 45,000 (including exclusive use). Glasgow offers the best value at an average of £19,800. Add £1,500-2,500 for full Scottish traditions (kilts, bagpiper, ceilidh).

Do I need to hire kilts for a Scottish wedding?

Not required, but 78% of Scottish grooms wear kilts. Budget £150-300 hire per person, or £800-2,000 to buy. If 8 or more people need Highland dress, buying is more economical. You'll need family tartan or can choose location-based tartans.

When should I avoid getting married in Scotland?

Avoid July-August for outdoor Highland/island weddings due to midges (biting flies). Also consider: Edinburgh Festival (August) makes city hotels 40% more expensive. Winter (Nov-Feb) brings 4 pm sunsets, creating dramatic photography.

How far in advance should I book a Scottish castle venue?

Book 18-24 months ahead for summer Saturday dates at iconic castles (Eilean Donan, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle). Exclusive-use Highland castles require 20-30 months' notice. Winter weekdays available 10-12 months ahead.

Are Highland weddings more expensive?

Yes, remote Highland venues add 15-22% to supplier costs (photography, flowers, catering) due to travel. Factor in guest transport (£800+), potential generator hire (£400), and higher contingency for weather. Central Scotland (Stirling, Perth) offers similar beauty at a lower cost.

What's a ceilidh, and do I need one?

A ceilidh is a traditional Scottish social gathering with folk music and dancing. A ceilidh band (£600-1,200) provides music and a "caller" who teaches guests the dances. It's the most popular Scottish wedding entertainment - gets all ages dancing and creates an unforgettable atmosphere.

Ready to plan your Scottish wedding? Use the calculator above to estimate your costs, including kilts, bagpipes, and Highland venue options. Don't forget to explore our cheese wedding cake collection - perfect with Scottish whisky and delivered free across Scotland, from Edinburgh to the Highlands!