My Top 10 Tips for giving your Wedding a Scottish Theme
wedding? You may or perhaps your fiancé were born
there, your folks or grandparents might have
been born there, even a great or great great
grandparent may have been born there. Perhaps
you just like the thought of wearing a kilt and also have no
relationship to Scotland whatsoever.
Whatever your reason, welcome to the fun and
exciting realm of Scottish Themed Weddings.
For some couples, everything will have a touch of tartan, starting with the invitations and going through
towards the honeymoon. For others, it may be as easy as tartan ribbon in a bouquet. Anywhere you fit in
between than the book is designed to help you in determining what’s best for your wedding.
My top 10 tips are :
1. Decide on “how” Scottish you want the marriage to be.
You can’t proceed together with your wedding plans before you clarify how well you see for your wedding day. Every choice
you are making from here on, is determined by your chosen wedding style and theme. There are many decisions
to become made and something of the first should be to decide precisely how Scottish you would like your day to be. Do you want to
have tartan as some part of most items or just a few. Consider the following :
• Invitations
• Attendants outfits
• Tartan gifts - Family and/or Bridal 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 word ‘surname’ refers to another name which has been ‘added on’ to a first or Christian name. Just how,
so when, your family name was put into a forbearer’s name can vary enormously. In the great ancestry
game, you'll earn quickly that your surname is only the tip of the genetic iceberg.
Spend some time researching your families tartans, there may be a number of them that your can wear. Probably the
colour of 1 is more suitable towards the colours you are interested in for bridesmaids, think about the various generic
tartans perhaps one of them is more suitable.
3. Invitations
Wedding invites should be personalised, special and unique to
you. This is usually the first opportunity to introduce your friends and relatives to
the theme and elegance of the big day. Tartan could be incorporated
in many varied ways, as can other Scottish touches
4. Wedding Party Outfits
Research in to the family tartan will frequently stir up emotion and pride in genealogy and can begin interesting
discussion out of your families. In the case of no family tartan, there are numerous generic tartans which are woven
as celebrations tartans and can be worn by anyone
Groom and Groomsmen outfits :
Kilts - these come in an amazing number of Clans and
colours. You need to locate a supplier which has a good
selection of tartans, that are full 8yrd kilts, in pure wool.
The recommended weight is 13oz wool for Australia.
The 16oz weight used in the UK has been discovered to be
too hot for the Australian climate.
Jackets - There are a variety of various Jacket styles
- Bonnie Prince Charlie, Argyle and also the Jacobean Shirt
(Also known as the Ghillie or Highlander shirt). Some
could be worn without or with a waistcoat. Once again
locate a supplier that has pure wool jackets, made in
the united kingdom.
Shirts and ties - here's where one 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, the list is endless
Kilt outfit accessories - sporran styles, belt and buckle, brogues (shoes) and hose (socks) all vary in formality
and elegance, look at what style suits your wedding theme and elegance.
Pageboy outfits :
If you are having young attendants, noting is cuter then getting them in a kilt outfit. Most little boys will get over
wearing a “skirt”, when shown photos of other little boys wearing one or understanding that he’ll participate the men’s
side from the wedding ceremony where all the men is going to be wearing one.
Flowergirls :
Whilst kilts in a wedding are usually reserved for the men and boys, you can add a touch of tartan to your
little princess, if you don't take away from her gorgeous gown. Consider a tartan sash around her waist, as well as
a mini sash worn “Miss World” style. Matching the tartan to the groomsmen or pageboy will tie the theme of
the wedding party together. Tartan ribbon in her hair or perhaps in her bouquet is other ways of subtly including tartan.
Bridesmaids :
Once again if you wish to include tartan here, consider tartan ribbon within their bouquets, or subtly incorporated
to their dresses too.
Bride :
This is when 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 with respect to the type of the wedding gown.
5. Invite your friends and relatives to put on a kilt or perhaps a touch of tartan
A terrific way to build inter-family relationship would be to invite your friends and relations to wear a kilt outfit or perhaps a
tartan tie, also include your MC in this, to include them in to the theme of the wedding.
6. Arrange a piper or Highland Dancers
Lone Piper or Pipe Band - The noise of bagpipes are unmistakable, and awaken Scottish pride for anyone who
hears them. Pipers can be hired individually as well as consider asking the local pipe band.
Pipers and bands love any excuse to kilt up and play in public places, and are very receptive of individuals contacting
them to play at their weddings. It is usually smart to ask are you able to come and listen to them play just before
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 chance to
perform. Enquire at Scottish Dancing schools about hiring their “principal” dancer for any performance at your
reception or even whilst guests are mingling with drinks, as you are having your photos taken. Once more it is
advisable to watch these dancers perform prior to 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 - These are the little take-home tokens of appreciation you are able to give out to
your wedding guests. They may be decorative or practical, modest or elaborate, the choice is yours! There are
great Scottish themes ones available.
Bridal Party gifts - Say thank you to your bridesmaids, maid of honour and best girlfriends, best man, grooms
men, mums and dads its their support throughout the preparation for your wedding by spoiling all of them with a
gorgeous gift. Celtic jewellery is exclusive and can forever remind them of your wedding. Gifts can also be
personal and simple - tartan boxers for the guys also provides them something practical to put on “under their kilt”.
Tartan ties - Purchasing a tartan tie for family members to wear can be a lovely gesture thanks parents or could be
given to new in-laws to welcome them 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, based on whether the bride or even the groom was being
accepted in to the other’s clan.
For instance, if the bride were marrying into the groom’s clan, any member of the groom’s family would present
the bride with clan tartan. This may have been a rosette or perhaps a sash fashioned using their tartan. It might be
fastened using the clan badge to the bride’s dress symbolically accepting her into the groom’s clan. Often
your daughter's groom himself would pin around the rosette or sash. It can be quite emotional when the groom’s mother does
the pinning.
Likewise, when the groom has been accepted into the bride’s family, the roles are reversed.
Whichever way you would choose, this really is among the marriage ceremony customs that’s easy 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 hand in marriage". But have you
ever wondered where those sayings came from?
And no, it's not within the same category as the "ball
and chain"! It's in reference to the ancient tradition
of hand fasting. This gives an overview of the
ancient tradition of Hand fasting in Wedding
ceremonies.
What Is Hand fasting? The word 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 a couple together using a cord, rope, ribbons, a shawl, tartan or strips of fabric. It
is meant to signify a couples coming together as "One". (or maybe to keep the Groom from running away!)
Whatever it's original intention, it has become a popular new tradition for today's couples seeking new and
Spiritual methods to honor their love
Hand fasting has seen an up to date resurgence owing in part towards the movie Braveheart, by which William
Wallace and the girlfriend are joined together with a hand fasting ceremony. It has especially been true in
Scotland where the movie is based.
Quaches
The Quaich was a two-handled loving cup for that wedding feast.
From it the pair took their first communion together like a married
couple. Additionally they used the quaich in the reception for his or her first
toast together.
Symbolic of the sharing between the couple, it's an ancient vessel
utilized by two families or clans, to celebrate a bond, with every leader
partaking of the offered drink.
• Centuries ago quaichs were produced 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 underside was sometimes made of glass, so that the
drinker could keep a watch on his companions or enemies.
• For that more romantic, a double glass bottom held a lock of hair from his real love, sandwiched
between. Thus, the dog owner could drink from his quaich to his ladylove.
Sir Walter Scott were built with a quaich which was especially precious to him. In 1745, a Bonnie Prince Charlie carried a
quaich as 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 of your hands, and received with both hands. This insured the safety of every
warrior, as each of his enemy’s hands were busy.
How frequently have you sung Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve? While you sang, you "pledged just one cup (quaich) of
kindness for old Lang Syne", which is old time’s sake.
Unity Candle Ceremony
This really is synonymous with two clans joining. There were three candles ~ two
tapers positioned on both sides of the central candle, representing the 2
families. The bigger central candle, put into between, symbolized the
new family being formed through the marriage.
As one of the Scottish wedding ceremony customs, the marriage unity
candles were often decorated with ribbons, flowers, Celtic knots,
Claddagh, thistles, or Lukenbooths.
A member 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. As they blew out the two family
candles, the implied meaning was they meant to subject their
individual must the higher good of the union. The candles were
kept, then lit on anniversaries, or any other family celebrations.
This ebook has been proudly delivered by Jennifer McAdam from Sydney Kilt Hire.
Visit www.sydneykilthire.com.au or call Jennifer on 0419 464 723 for further information.
