Meet The Elopement Society: Celebrant Mo Ackroyd
Mo Ackroyd is a licensed Celebrant conducting ceremonies in Scotland for Weddings and Elopements, baby namings, vow renewals as well as funerals and memorials. As a Celebrant, Mo believes your day should be exactly that – YOUR day. She can help you choose the ceremony you really want and guide you with various symbolic gestures, personal vows, poems and readings to express your journey as a couple.
We’d love to know a bit more about you Mo. What brought you to this line of work?
It was not a role I had ever thought I would do but here I am absolutely loving it. I had helped out the Directors of Fuze Ceremonies to organise a fundraiser for 2 charities that they were supporting with the Fuze Foundation and they offered me Celebrant training in return. This was back in 2013 when I had taken voluntary redundancy from a company I worked with for 18 years and I couldn’t decide what job or role in life I wanted next so I thought why not, let's do the training and see where it takes me and I had nothing to lose and so much to gain — but I did not realise that at the time.
What are the common misconceptions about eloping in Scotland?
Not everyone understands the legal aspects of eloping in Scotland and that there is a process to follow and forms to be completed before they can be legally married in Scotland. Gone are the days of running away to elope — it needs to be planned first with the legal paperwork in place at least 29 days before the day they get married.
MO’S CEREMONIES
What can couples expect on the day from you as their celebrant?
No two ceremonies are the same so they can expect their personalities to shine through in their ceremony and for me to ask a lot of questions in the lead-up to it for me to be able to understand what they would like me to write in their ceremony. I do like a bit of fun and lightheartedness and with Solen as their photographer and me there at your side you know it is going to be a great experience for all involved. It can also be a lot of fun for the couples eloping too - we are a friendly bunch at the Elopement Society and can easily put our couples at ease to feel relaxed on their special day and in our company.
We’ve shared some beautiful elopement ceremonies in your time with The Elopement Society. Any standout moments for you, Mo?
There have been many beautiful moments and they all stand out as each couple has been so different and unique in their own way. From when we climbed up to St Anthonys Ruins, to getting married in a book store — that was a new one for me, and also getting to conduct ceremonies in stunning venues and historic places in Edinburgh.
Talk to us about vows. Any tips?
Write your vows from the heart. Personalise them and remember them and even more so stick to them. Make them fun too! If one is better at taking the recycling out and the other is better at cooking the Sunday roast then promise each other you will stick to what you do best in your marriage! They can be heartfelt or romantic too but inject your personality into them and remember it’s just you and your love there to hear them… apart from the legal vows. We need to hear those, too!
Handfasting: Alyssa and Becca’s tiny wedding at Rare Birds Books
“Drinking from the Quaich is a great way for couples to toast their marriage and it is their first act of union as a married couple. Take a sip from the Quaich — it is Scotland after all and whisky is the traditional drink to go in the Quaich BUT there have been many other drinks chosen by couples! ”
For couples who have little knowledge of the type of ceremonies on offer and the gestures included, can you give a little insight?
I certainly can introduce couples to symbolic gestures and their meaning too. There is the popular one which is Handfasting. The couple will have a keepsake from their day as well or can make or create their ties or cords or even use a family tartan if they have one. Handfasting dates back to before the time of exchanging wedding rings —jewellery wasn't affordable for many so the couple's wrists would be bound together in marriage with cloth, rope or cord and this was in fact, legally binding (not anymore)!! In more modern times ties can be made from all sorts of materials and can be braided, or use a tie, scarf or even superhero ribbon OR even a piece from the bride's dress — but only if it is being altered lol.
It is always lovely to exchange your wedding promises at this moment in time, when you are holding the hands of your best friend on your wedding day. It can be very intimate as you hold hands and look at each other during this gesture so saying something loving and meaningful is the perfect opportunity.
Drinking from the Quaich is a great way for couples to toast their marriage and it is their first act of union as a married couple. Take a sip from the Quaich — it is Scotland after all and whisky is the traditional drink to go in the Quaich BUT there have been many other drinks chosen by couples!
Mo guiding Nadia and Darren through their vows. A glorious day!
Any advice for elopers from overseas?
Get in touch and speak to The Elopement Society and arrange a call with each of the suggested suppliers. We all love to chat weddings and elopements 24/7 so you will be making our day and it is a great way to see if you like our banter and want to spend more time with us.
Scotland is a beautiful country and we are proud of Edinburgh, our capital city but we can recommend other places too! Trust in your suppliers, we make a great team.
💕 I’m loving: My role as a Celebrant
🎶 Music I’m dancing to: Any cheesy tune
🗺️ Most idyllic location for an outdoor wedding: Anywhere in our beautiful Scotland - there is so much green space
🍲 Favourite place for a bite to eat: Home!! My husband is a chef lol!
🥰 I can’t get enough of…. Listening to couples and hearing how they met. It isn’t always love at first sight or swipe in the modern world!
✍️ Poem or reading I love mos: I like more modern styles and love Ms Moem poems – great lighthearted readings for all.
Skip out on Tradition
Specialising in capturing human connections and wingwoman for the camera shy, Solen’s unobtrusive, natural and artistic approach to photography is highly coveted for weddings, elopements, portraiture and events.
Alyssa and Becca took the leap with our Opulent Edinburgh Package and gave it a good old twist by hosting their delicious tiny ceremony afront the canary yellow shelves of Stockbridge’s book haven, Rare Birds. Scotland's only bookshop dedicated entirely to women's writing.