Whether you’re Scottish or whether you’re planning a destination wedding to Scotland, you may be thinking about the elements you’d most like to weave into your day. There are so many to choose from and this wee guide is a super handy overview.

It’s worth recognising these may not be for everyone and this guide is to explain the history behind these traditions. I always encourage my couples, if it’s not for you then don’t do it OR simply take the parts you do like and make them your own. Remember - your day, your way!

SIXPENCE

Traditionally, the father of the bride would pop a sixpence into his daughter’s shoe before walking her down the aisle. Why? Well, it was believed to be good luck and to show that the father hoped prosperity for his daughter in marriage. Now, we no longer deal in sixpences and you might find this a bit outdated. There are lots of different takes on this, for example, some brides like their mums to tape a 5 pence to the sole of their shoe. Like most traditions, you can take it, leave it or put your own twist on it.

TARTAN

Tartan is colourful and enriches the colour scheme of any wedding day. Typically you wear a tartan which has represented your family for generations. Don’t worry if you’re unsure about your tartan, it’s easy to trace a family tartan. Even if you don’t have a Scottish surname you’ll be able to trace your name back until you find one. Whilst the use of the well-recognised kilt, jacket, sgian-dubh (a knife that goes inside a sock) and sporran is centuries old it’s not all about the kilt. The tartan trews are making a long-overdue comeback and are a fabulous take on the kilt. Another way to include tartan can be a shawl, with the extra layer an often welcomed addition to the chillier climes.

SCRAMBLE

Still traditional in many parts of Scotland, the scramble happens as the bride steps into the wedding car to head to the church and her father throws a handful of coins for the children who are watching her departure to collect. It’s thought to bring about financial good fortune to the couple soon to be married. Of course, this assumes a very traditional wedding structure - church, father giving his daughter away and so on. We’re living in different times. Think about putting your own slant on this. You needn’t throw coins. What about sweets? Like throwing confetti, it’s a high-energy, fun-filled moment that would create brilliant moments for your photographer.

TYING THE KNOT / HAND-FASTING

This wee phrase is synonymous with getting married. However, the commonly used phrase ‘tying the knot’ is actually rooted in a Scottish tradition. I mean a real-life physical act. Here’s what happens. The marrying couple provides a strip of cloth each. It’s common for the strip to represent their clan tartan but can be anything. I’ve seen couples use ties from grandparents who were unable to attend. The couple’s officiant takes the cloths and then positions the couples’ hands, one over the other before proceeding to bind them at their wrists with the two fabrics. Once the feat of impressive maneuvering and manipulating is complete, the couple pull their hands away and the fabrics that were previously separate are now joined tightly together in a knot - it’s real-life wizardry! Not only is it a fabulous visual representation of the couples’ joining, but it’s also a lovely keepsake from their ceremony.

PIPER

One of our most-loved Scottish wedding elements! Did you know it’s also considered to be lucky? The bit that’s considered lucky is when the newly married couple is piped into their wedding breakfast following their ceremony. The loud bagpipe sound was thought to chase away evil spirits that may be lurking about. The piper’s music - whilst beautiful - also acts as a mighty protector over the newly married couples, blessing them with good luck. Here’s another interesting bit of information for you. The reason couples toast the piper is that sharing a dram of whiskey is a traditional way of paying the piper for the services and locking in the good luck brought to the couple. Following the couples’ entrance into the wedding breakfast, the piper is toasted and ‘paid’ in a dram of whisky, legitimising the contract and thus ensuring the protection offered by the piper’s music was effective. Job done!

WHITE HEATHER

According to Scottish tradition, placing a sprig of white heather in the bridal bouquet brings good luck to the marriage. With all of these traditions, you could easily put your own spin on it. Grooms could easily pop a sprig into a buttonhole too. Where did this tradition originate? Well, according to folklore, the tears of a girl called Malvina who grieved the death of her lover, the warrior Oscar, turned purple heather to white. From this, wherever white heather is found, it is supposed to bring good luck.

PENNY WEDDING

This is the perfect solution for those of you looking to plan a budget-friendly wedding. Guests bring their own food and drinks. The couple should then put on a mean dessert and cake spread! Savings aside, there’s so many other benefits to a penny wedding. Guests will bring what they enjoy eating and enough for themselves. Think of the food that would be eaten rather than wasted!

QUAICH

This funny little word is also known as a ‘Loving Cup’. It’s a two-handled silver or pewter bowl. It’s typically filled with whisky then shared between the couple once the legal proceedings have been concluded. Some folks like to share a dram with their wedding party. Whiskey isn’t mandatory either. I’ve seen the quaich filled with Gin, Tequila and even Irn Bru! Where did this tradition originate? Historically a marriage would often join two Scottish clans together. Often, these clans were not always the most friendly with each other! Because the Quaich had to be drunk using both hands, it reflected trust in the opposite clan and was a mark of honour and respect. Why is this? Simple really. If both hands were on the Quaich it meant they weren’t holding a weapon!

SCOTTISH CEILIDH

What better way to round your wedding off than to throw a ceilidh. Guests needn’t be familiar with the set dances. Our ceilidh bands are experts at leading complete beginners through the routines. Ceilidhs are an absolute blast. They’re always energetic and make for unforgettable memories. Some couples like to start with a ceilidh before going to a DJ or band. Some bands offer both.

There you have it. Whether you choose one or a handful, you can be sure they’ll enrich your wedding day. Don’t just take my word for why it’s worth incorporating Scottish customs into your wedding day. Head over to my blog to see, first hand, some mighty fine real-life examples of what Scottish weddings can look like.

Scottish Wedding Customs