Scottish Weddings & their Traditional Practices
Scotland is a warm, welcoming place full of beautiful scenery and kind people. You can’t blame anyone for falling for this delightful country. There’s nothing more romantic than getting married in the Scottish Highlands, where couples can relax into their happiest moments and enjoy beautiful sights such as glens, moors, and lochs, or feel the rush of adrenaline at one of the many local white water rafting spots. There are thousands of individual Scottish wedding traditions that couples may choose to incorporate into their special day.
Most social events have their own idiosyncratic traditions and ceremonies that are passed down from generation to generation and infused with different meanings over time. In light of this, today we will focus on the unique stories and customs related to Scottish weddings. As a result, whether you plan on organizing your own Scottish wedding or would simply like to include a few references for an elder relative in your own day as a way to honor them, perhaps adding these details to your ceremony is overall just a little bit more special.
HANDFASTING - Tying the knot
Did you know the term “tying the knot” comes from an old Scottish custom of handfasting? It was a tradition in which couples would oftentimes get married without being able to attend a church wedding. (Sound familiar? We have Spotify Weddings nowadays after all!) So handfasted couples used this tradition as a way of formalizing their union and commitment as they would tie the knot while they continued to live separately. In other words, they would bind their hands together so that they would always be together. Like the act of tying up one’s ankles with shoes or boots, handfasting is a symbol of unity between two people who are committing themselves to each other.
Nowadays, many weddings – including religious ceremonies – include a handfasting. Some Scottish couples choose to have material from the bride’s wedding dress or from their families’ tartan fabric as their bond. These can be tied together by a symbolic ribbon or cord during the ceremony. The symbol of the cloth knot is believed to be “everlasting love”; this is what sets it apart from other knots. Also, you are encouraged to both dates and write down any vow that holds special meaning on top of your knot to remind yourselves that you have committed your future—together—to each other.
Ceremonies that Includes Ancient Scottish Traditions
Getting married anywhere in the world with just about anyone isn’t as cut and dry as one may think. Just because you have someone officiating a typical scottish Wedding doesn’t mean that it will go according to plan, so to help avoid running into any unnecessary obstacles down the line, here are a few important points you need to consider before committing to anything officially.
QUAICH – The famous love cup.
The Quaich is also known as the loving cup. The Quaich was originally invented several centuries ago when clans ruled Scotland and would meet up to hold their events. The leaders of both clans used to drink from the Quaich which usually contained whiskey. In order to show that they came in peace and had no desire to fight when drinking from the Quaich, one would have to use two hands to lift the cup; thereby signifying that the other party couldn’t attack them because there were armed with weapons.
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Selkirk Grace
Selkirk Grace is a Scottish poem that has been said on special occasions. It’s usually said by the best man or prominent guest of honor after a speech, among other occasions such as weddings. This poem is about thanking the food and drink in front of you for the nourishment they provide. The speaker notes his gratitude for all those who come together to serve the meals and drinks so thoughtfully, wishing them well in their careers.
Ceilidh Dancing
Scottish country dancing is a popular part of many weddings in Scotland. A ceilidh band makes up the live music for a scottish wedding ceilidh, which is where you might have come across this Highland tradition. There are many different types of Scottish country dancing; two of the most popular ones are the Gay Gordons and Strip The Willow. If you don’t have access to the services of a ceilidh band, then all you really need are Scottish country dance records or CDs from your local record store or online retailer such as Amazon.
What most Scottish people love about it is that you get to dance with everyone. You change partners and are an excellent way for everyone to mingle and get to know each other better.
Lucky Sixpence
A popular tradition in parts of the world, including Scotland and England, is the bride putting a 6 pence coin in her shoe. It is a long-standing good luck charm that she receives from family or friends. In some cases, the bride wears less throughout the day to ensure good luck. The original 6-pence coins had become obsolete by the turn of this century so it has been replaced with a replica substitute. However, wearing one in your shoes is still seen as a sign of good luck!
Kilts & Tartans
Men’s kilt and Tartan are the national dress of Scotland. Kilts originated with an Englishman. King James V hired an English clothier to outfit his court in kilts and tartans made from wool. Since then, Scotland has passed down tartan symbols between clans as a way to determine family tartan – meaning that you don’t have to be Scottish to wear a kilt!
These plaid kilts can be purchased for around $49 when you shop online from Celtic stores They are worn with high shoes, keep in mind that laces should go up and around the leg with socks or Kilt hose about knee height. The knife goes on your dominant-hand side. These items are Well as kilt sporran which are little purses worn around your waist strapped with a belt where you can store things such as cell phones or wallets and any other money-making tools since Kilts do not have pockets to hold anything at all!
A helpful alternative for a man or woman who does not want to wear a kilt or a dress at a Scottish wedding is to wear these plaid pants. At these parties, the whole bridal party can wear the same clan tartans or their own family ones.
Scottish Bagpipes
When people think of Scotland, one of the first things that come to mind is bagpipes. Bagpipes were first invented in 1000 BC. These synthetic bagpipe bags can be used for any type of wedding ceremony; however, their role is most popular during the following times of the wedding:
- As the beginning of the ceremony is approaching, you will hear the piper play some music to greet the guests.
- The bride can be marched down the aisle. The most common song is “Highland Cathedral.”
- Couples after their ceremony can be accompanied back to their seats
- If the bride and groom have the desire to have their guests serenaded during the reception, hiring piper musicians may make for a wonderful addition.
- Pianists will often play the top table guests during the speeches.
Debates before the meal:
It’s customary in parts of Europe that people wait until it is time to eat before they give speeches at a dinner party. Of course, this can be quite daunting if the speaker is already nervous and suffers from stage fright. A way around this hurdle is to have all of the speakers get their part done, so to speak before the meal is served. This allows everyone at the table to enjoy their food in peace and minimizes embarrassment for anyone who has performance issues when addressing large groups.
When planning a Scottish wedding, it’s often nice to take the time to go overboard. Truly, no matter what you do for your scottish wedding and for your husband-to-be, he will appreciate the amount of effort that went into planning it – within reason. So try to make things as fun as possible!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is handfasting at a Scottish wedding?
A ritual in which the couple’s hands are bound together with a length of tartan, ribbon or cord while they exchange vows. It is often said to be the origin of the phrase “tying the knot”, though that etymology is debated. Today it is a symbolic element within a legal ceremony rather than a form of marriage in its own right.
What is a quaich and when is it used?
A shallow two-handled drinking cup, traditionally filled with whisky and shared by the couple during the ceremony or at the reception. The two handles are the point: both hands are occupied, so neither party could reach a weapon. It began as a gesture of trust between clans and survives as a symbol of the two families joining.
What does the groom wear at a Scottish wedding?
Full Highland dress: a kilt in the family or chosen tartan, a Prince Charlie or Argyll jacket depending on how formal the wedding is, kilt hose with flashes, a dress sporran, ghillie brogues and usually a fly plaid pinned at the shoulder. A sgian dubh is worn in the hose where venue rules allow it.
What is a ceilidh and do guests need to know the dances?
A ceilidh is the social dancing that follows most Scottish wedding receptions, played by a live band. Guests are not expected to know the steps. A caller walks everyone through each dance before it starts, and the standard set — the Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, the Dashing White Sergeant — is designed to be picked up on the spot.
Do you need Scottish ancestry to have a Scottish wedding?
No. Scotland’s marriage law is unusually open, and couples from anywhere may marry there without a lengthy residency requirement, though notice must be given to the registrar in advance. Highland dress and the customs above are likewise open to everyone. Check the current legal notice period with the registrar well before booking.
