My Top ten Strategies for giving your Wedding a Scottish Theme
wedding? You may or perhaps your fiancé were born
there, your parents or grandparents may have
been born there, a great or great great
grandparent might have been born there. Perhaps
you simply like the idea of wearing a kilt and have no
relationship to Scotland whatsoever.
Whatever the reason, welcome to the enjoyment and
exciting realm of Scottish Themed Weddings.
For some couples, everything may have a little tartan, beginning with the invites on and on through
to the honeymoon. For others, it may be as simple as tartan ribbon in a bouquet. Where ever you easily fit in
between than the book is made to help you in determining what’s best for your wedding.
My top 10 tips are :
1. Choose “how” Scottish you would like the marriage to become.
You can’t proceed together with your wedding plans before you clarify how well you see for your big day. Every choice
you make from this point on, is determined by your selected wedding style and theme. There are many decisions
to become made and one from the first should be to decide just how Scottish you would like the day to become. Would you like to
have tartan as some a part of most items or simply a few. Think about the following :
• Invitations
• Attendants outfits
• Tartan gifts - Family and/or Wedding party
• Bonbonniere or Wedding Favours
• Church and Reception decorations
• Pipers / Pipe bands
• Scottish Dancers / entertainment
2. Research the Family Tartan
A classic Gaelic proverb says, “Remember the men and women from whence you came.”
The term ‘surname’ describes another name that has been ‘added on’ to some first or Christian name. Precisely how,
and when, your family name was put into a forbearer’s name can differ enormously. Within the great ancestry
game, you will earn quickly that your surname is only the tip from the genetic iceberg.
Spend some time researching your family tartans, there might be many of them that your can wear. Perhaps the
colour of 1 is much more suitable to the colours you have in mind for bridesmaids, think about the various generic
tartans perhaps one of these is much more suitable.
3. Invitations
Wedding invitations ought to be personalised, special and unique to
you. This is usually the first chance to introduce your guests to
the theme and elegance of the wedding day. Tartan could be incorporated
in lots of varied ways, just like other Scottish touches
4. Wedding ceremony Outfits
Research into the family tartan will often awaken emotion and pride in family history and can begin interesting
discussion out of your families. In the case of no family tartan, there are numerous generic tartans that are woven
as celebrations tartans and may be worn by anyone
Groom and Groomsmen outfits :
Kilts - they are available in an incredible number of Clans and
colours. You should locate a supplier which has a good
choice of tartans, which are full 8yrd kilts, in pure wool.
The recommended weight is 13oz wool for Australia.
The 16oz weight used in the UK has been found to be
too hot for that Australian climate.
Jackets - There are a variety of different Jacket styles
- Bonnie Prince Charlie, Argyle and the Jacobean Shirt
(Also known as the Ghillie or Highlander shirt). Some
could be worn with or without a waistcoat. Once more
look for a supplier that has pure wool jackets, produced in
the UK.
Shirts and ties - here's where you can put your personal personality in to the outfit. Some jacket styles suit the
standard formal white shirt and black bow tie, others could be personalised for your style with Rouche ties, open
neck shirts, their email list really is limitless
Kilt outfit accessories - sporran styles, belt and buckle, brogues (shoes) and hose (socks) all vary in formality
and style, take a look at what style suits your wedding theme and elegance.
Pageboy outfits :
If you are having young attendants, noting is cuter then getting them inside a kilt outfit. Most little boys can get over
wearing a “skirt”, when shown photos of other little boys wearing one or understanding that he’ll be part of the men’s
side from the wedding party where all of the men is going to be wearing one.
Flowergirls :
Whilst kilts inside a wedding are generally restricted to the men and boys, you can include a touch of tartan to your
princess or queen, if you don't take from her gorgeous gown. Consider a tartan sash round her waist, or even
a mini sash worn “Miss World” style. Matching the tartan towards the groomsmen or pageboy will tie the theme of
the marriage party together. Tartan ribbon in her own hair or perhaps in her bouquet is different ways of subtly including tartan.
Bridesmaids :
Once more if you wish to include tartan here, consider tartan ribbon within their bouquets, or subtly incorporated
into their dresses as well.
Bride :
This is where you may be really creative. Consider wearing a Mini Sash (pinned on shoulder and hangs down
back) or Brides sash (worn Miss World style), all depending on the style of the wedding gown.
5. Invite your friends and relatives to put on a kilt or perhaps a touch of tartan
A great way to build inter-family relationship is to invite your friends and relations to put on a kilt outfit or perhaps a
tartan tie, also include your MC within this, to include them into the theme from the wedding.
6. Arrange a piper or Highland Dancers
Lone Piper or Pipe Band - The noise of bagpipes are unmistakable, and stir up Scottish pride for anybody who
hears them. Pipers can be hired individually or even consider asking your local pipe band.
Pipers and bands love any excuse to kilt up and play in public, and therefore are very receptive of individuals contacting
these to play at wedding ceremonies. It is usually smart to ask can you come and hear them play prior to
booking them for your wedding, to make sure you are pleased using their song and playing style.
Scottish Dancing - Just like pipers and pipe bands, most Scottish Dancing students love any opportunity to
perform. Enquire at Scottish Dancing schools about hiring their “principal” dancer for a performance at your
reception or even whilst guests are mingling with drinks, as you are getting your photos taken. Once more it is
better to watch these dancers perform just before booking them for your wedding.
7. Church and Reception Decorations
Church / Reception Decorations - tartan ribbon and tartan table runners and table centre decorations could be
employed for the church pews or tables at the reception.
8. Buying gifts
Bombonaire or Wedding Favours - Fundamental essentials little take-home tokens of appreciation you can hand out to
the wedding guests. They can be decorative or practical, modest or elaborate, it's your choice! There are
great Scottish themes ones available.
Bridal Party gifts - Say thank you to your bridesmaids, maid of honour and finest girlfriends, best man, grooms
men, mums and dads for all of their support throughout the preparation for the wedding by spoiling them with a
gorgeous gift. Celtic jewellery is exclusive and will forever remind them of your wedding. Gifts may also be
personal and simple - tartan boxers for that guys also gives them something practical to wear “under their kilt”.
Tartan ties - Purchasing a tartan tie to see relatives members to wear could be a lovely gesture thanks parents or could be
provided to new in-laws to welcome these to the clan, or give to parents / grandparents / uncles / brothers etc as
gifts.
9. Welcoming the Bride / Groom towards the Clan
Pinning from the Tartan - Following the proclamation that they were now man and wife, the pinning from the tartan
would take place. Each family would customize this, depending on whether the bride or the groom had been
accepted into the other’s clan.
For example, if the bride were marrying in to the groom’s clan, any person in the groom’s family would present
the bride with clan tartan. This might happen to be a rosette or a sash fashioned from their tartan. It might be
fastened using the clan badge to the bride’s dress symbolically accepting her in to the groom’s clan. Many times
the groom himself would pin around the rosette or sash. It may be quite emotional once the groom’s mother does
the pinning.
Likewise, if the groom has been accepted into the bride’s family, the roles are reversed.
Whichever way you'd choose, this is among the wedding ceremony customs that’s simple to incorporate in
your Scottish theme wedding plans.
10. Other Ceremonies
Hand Fasting
We have all heard the expressions "tied the knot"
or "giving one's submit marriage". But have you
ever thought about where those sayings originated from?
With no, it isn't within the same category as the "ball
and chain"! It's in reference to the traditional tradition
of hand fasting. This provides an introduction to the
ancient tradition of Hand fasting in Wedding
ceremonies.
What's Hand fasting? The term Hand fasting is
taken from Old Norse "hand-festa" meaning "to strike a good deal by joining hands". Hand fasting may be the tradition
of lightly binding the hands of the couple together utilizing a cord, rope, ribbons, a scarf, tartan or strips of fabric. It
is meant to signify a couples uniting as "One". (or maybe to help keep your daughter's groom from running away!)
Whatever it's original intention, it is a popular new tradition for today's couples seeking new and
Spiritual ways to honor their love
Hand fasting has seen an up to date resurgence owing partly to the movie Braveheart, in which William
Wallace and the girlfriend are gathered having a hand fasting ceremony. This has especially been true in
Scotland in which the movie is based.
Quaches
The Quaich was a two-handled loving cup for that wedding feast.
From this the couple took their first communion together like a married
couple. Additionally they used the quaich at the reception for his or her first
toast together.
Synonymous with the sharing between your couple, this is an ancient vessel
used by two families or clans, to celebrate a bond, with each leader
partaking from the offered drink.
• Centuries ago quaichs were made from wooden staves. By
the 17th century, silver mountings or metal quaichs were
often used.
• Today, the quaich is often of pewter or silver, by having an
overlay of wood. Before and after the ceremony the quaich
sits on the plinth, or decorative stand.
• The bottom was sometimes made from glass, so the
drinker can keep a watch on his companions or enemies.
• For that more romantic, a double glass bottom held a lock of hair from his true love, sandwiched
between. Thus, the dog owner could drink from his quaich to his ladylove.
Sir Walter Scott were built with a quaich that was especially precious to him. In 1745, a Bonnie Prince Charlie carried a
quaich because he travelled from Edinburgh to Derby with the Scottish Army. In 1589, King James VI of Scotland
gave Anne of Norway a quaich as a wedding gift.
The cup was presented using both hands, and received with both hands. This insured the security of every
warrior, as both of his enemy’s hands were busy.
How often have you sung Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve? While you sang, you "pledged a cup (quaich) of
kindness for old Lang Syne", that is old time’s sake.
Unity Candle Ceremony
This is synonymous with two clans joining. There have been three candles ~ two
tapers placed on both sides of a central candle, representing the 2
families. The bigger central candle, put into between, symbolized the
new family being formed through the marriage.
Among the Scottish marriage ceremony customs, the wedding unity
candles were often decorated with ribbons, flowers, Celtic knots,
Claddagh, thistles, or Lukenbooths.
Part of each family would light an outside taper prior to the
ceremony. After their vows, the bride and groom would use the above
candles to light their central candle. Because they blew the two family
candles, the implied meaning was they intended to subject their
individual must the greater good of their union. The candles were
kept, then lit on anniversaries, or any other family celebrations.
This ebook continues to be proudly brought to you by Jennifer McAdam from Sydney Kilt Hire.
Visit www.sydneykilthire.com.au or call Jennifer on 0419 464 723 for more information.
