Do you want to have a traditional Scottish wedding, but you can’t make it over the pond for the ceremony? What can you do to include Scottish wedding traditions into your Houston wedding? My wedding anniversary is coming up and I began to think about how we wanted to integrate our Scottish heritage into our ceremony. We only had 19 days to make our preparations, as my wife’s son was going to be leaving for England where he would be stationed for two years. We wanted to include him, so preparations were put into overdrive. There are some simple things that you can do if you want to have a wedding with a Scottish theme, here are some ideas.
Tartan. Tartan is probably the number one thing that you think about when you think about a Scottish wedding. The groom and groomsmen in their kilts and the bridesmaids with their sashes. The whole look is colorful and joyful. You can rent a Highland dress from any number of Highland wear companies. I already had my Highland wear, our sons did not. We quickly ordered kilts and hose for the boys from Sportkilt. It wasn’t formal but it did the job. My step-daughters wore tartan sashes that did not match but both represented Clans on my wife’s side of the family.
Bagpipes. I bet you didn’t see that one coming. Yes, bagpipes can be and must be included in a Scottish themed wedding! The piper can play before the ceremony as guests arrive, proceed the bride, as she walks down the aisle, and then pipe the new couple back up the aisle after the ceremony. You can read more about how to integrate a bagpiper into your wedding on my web page here: http://www.richardkean.com/weddings/
A quaich. The quaich is a two handled cup that the couple can use to share their first communion together or it can be used in the first toast at the reception. All of the bridal party will partake of a drink from the quaich. Whisky is the drink of choice, of course.
Pinning the tartan. At the end of the ceremony, the groom or his mother will pin a sash of his clan’s tartan to his bride’s gown. We didn’t want any trouble with this part of the ceremony and opted to have it prepared with a broach and I secured it at her hip with a small pin to secure it. Now my wife was wearing the tartan of my clan, the MacDonald’s instead of her own clan’s, the MacFies.
Weddings are indeed memorable and wonderful days. Having a traditional Scottish wedding or even a Scottish themed wedding can make your wedding day extra special. You will never forget your wedding when you include these traditions into your big day.