Wedding Traditions
Scottish Wedding Traditions
Give a Scottish brooch (called Luckenbooth) as a token of your love or as a betrothal gift. This is usually made of silver and is engraved with two hearts entwined. Some couples pin this on the blanket of their first-born for good luck.
Weddings and receptions are sometime held at a Scottish castle if there is a suitable one nearby. For something simpler and less expensive, the village hall, an outdoor venue or, for an even more traditional option, the ceremony can be in the house. If money is very tight, try arranging a “Penny Wedding,” in which guests are expected to bring their own food and drinks to the church to celebrate after the ceremony is over.
The difference between Scotland and the rest of the U.K. is that, in Scotland, it is the person who is licensed to conduct a marriage service and not the building that is licensed to hold a wedding.
Wearing white heather
Long, long ago in Scotland, the famous Celtic bard, Ossian, had a daughter called Malvina. She was beautiful and sweet natured. She won the heart of Oscar, a handsome warrior.
They became betrothed, but Oscar left in search of fame and fortune.
Malvina pined for him and sought solace by telling her father how much she loved her brave warrior, Oscar.
On a beautiful autumn day, the two were sitting on a Highland hillside when a ragged messenger staggered towards them. He brought the terrible news that Oscar had been killed in a mighty battle. The messenger held out a spray of purple heather to Malvina - a last gift from Oscar - and told her that he had died whispering her name and pledging his love.
In her grief, Malvina ran over the hillside, weeping bitterly. Where her tears fell, the purple heather turned pure white. When she saw this, she said "May this white heather forever bring good fortune to all those who find it".
And so, in Scotland, to this very day, white heather continues to be a token of good luck.
Traditional Scottish Dress
There is little doubt that traditional Scottish outfits add a touch of class and splendour to the wedding day and its associated ceremonies. The use of highland dress and the kilt, jacket, dirk and sporran in Scottish weddings has continued over the centuries. Whilst the bride's white gown and veil has its roots in more modern times. A Scottish bride will usually wear a traditional white or cream wedding gown. The groom’s party and her father may come to the wedding resplendent in full Highland dress in the traditional clan tartan of their clans. She might wear a horseshoe on her arm for good luck, or a pageboy might deliver one to her as she arrives at the ceremony. Bridesmaids may wear whatever the bride has chosen to match her dress and it may include a little tartan accessory. Bouquets may include tartan ribbons or bows.
Rings
The wedding ring, until the late 20th century tended to be for the bride and not the groom. In later decades both bride and groom now wear rings for the most part. The traditional Scottish gold wedding band dates back to the 1500's. This style of ring is still popular as a wedding ring today - as also are Celtic knot work designed engagement and wedding rings.
The reason for wearing the rings on the third finger is down to the Romans again. They believed that the vein on this finger ran directly to the heart, and so a symbol of your wedding pledge was thought to be bound to love and life itself.
QUAICH
The Scottish Quaich or Loving Cup is a traditional way of involving all your family and friends in the ceremony. After the legal part has been completed, this two handled bowl is filled with whisky, usually by the bride and passed around the guests so all can drink in celebration.
Scotland is the venue for romantic weddings and Susan Kirkness (Highland Wedding Bells) will look after you and help make it a perfect day - wedding planning is her business, getting married is yours!
Please get in touch with us and we will discuss your requirements with you in more detail.
Contact Susan by phone on +44 (0) 1445 781330
e-mail: weddings@scotland-info.co.uk
Weddings in Scotland home page
Our Scottish Wedding packages
Romantic Wedding Packages:
- Accommodation for the Bride and Groom
- Accommodation for guests
- The Ceremony and Venue Dress / Kilt Hire
- Wedding Cake
- Champagne
- Button Holes and Flowers
- Entertainment - Ceilidh - Highland Piper
- Cars and Transport - Attendants (if required)
- Photographs and a Video Recording
- Manicure/Pedicure and Hair Styling
- Stationery
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