Groom and Groomsmen
My suggestion would be only to wear a kilt if the Groom is Scottish. If the Bride is Scottish she can wear a gown that displays her tartan or wear a sash. The Groomsmen can wear Kilts if the Groom is wearing a kilt. And who doesn't love a man in a kilt. They can definitely wear something underneath if they are more comfortable :)
Jewellery
There are some beautiful jewellery options for Scottish weddings. The horseshoe signifies good luck and fertility. There are celtic knotwork and beautiful options for pins and brooches.
The Pipes
It would not be a Scottish wedding without the bride entering the venue and the Bride and Groom departing to the sound of the bagpipes. I love the sound of the bagpipes and when done right will send chills through me.
Sometimes though it is best that they are positioned outside of the venue to protect the ears of your guests.
Hand Fasting
Hand fasting is a Celtic wedding ceremony dating back to the middle ages. It was a temporary marriage that lasted for a year and a day. Couples would perform a hand fasting which legally bound them until a member of the clergy would pass through the village and could perform a ceremony. In modern ceremonies, hand fasting is incorporated as a way to honor their Celtic heritage. The couples hands are bound together in a cord or a tartan cloth during their vows. This is to show that from that point forward, they are no longer two, but are one.
Pinning of the Tartan
The pinning of the tartan takes place after the proclamation of husband and wife. This ceremony is customized to each family depending on whether the bride or the groom is being accepted into the clan. For instance if the bride is marrying into the clan, any member of the grooms family may present the bride with clan tartan in the form of a rosette pin or sash which is fastened with the clan badge. Often this presentation is pinned or dressed to the bride as acceptance into the grooms clan. Many times the groom himself will pin or dress the bride, but it is quite emotional when the grooms mother does the pinning.
I also thought it would be great. Instead of doing champagne for toasts, nothing says Scotland more than a wee dram. There are always different options to bring in culture and tradition into a wedding and I hope this will inspire you to look to your family and make your wedding unique and personal.
Happy Planning
le deagh dhùrachd! (with best wishes)
Jen
Presentation of the Sword
As listed above in the pinning ceremony, many celebrations may take place that also includes the “Presentation of the sword”. This is a beautiful tradition where the groom presents his bride with a family sword that will be given to their first born son or; the Brides family would present the Groom with their sword as an act of acceptance into the family and signifying the obligation and responsibility to now protect her.
