Scottish wedding traditions and ideas

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 twohearts entwined. Some couples pin this on the blanket of their firstborn forgood luck.

Plan a grand wedding reception at a Scottish castle or country manor, or go the traditional route of holding it at a relative’s house.

Arrange 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.

Rent or buy a kilt for the groom to wear that represents his clan.

Exchange either claddagh rings or gold rings with Celtic knotwork designs instead of plain gold wedding bands.

Ask guests to sprinkle flower petals or confetti on the bride as she and the groom walk together to the church for the wedding.

Follow the old tradition of getting married just outside of the church doors. Following the vows and “joining ceremony” (or marriage), enter the church for a nuptial mass.

Hire bagpipers to play during the wedding party’s entrance and recessional.

Select an engraved silver teaspoon for the groom to present to the bride at the wedding to ensure that the couple will never go without food.

Arrange for a traditional Scottish sword dance to entertain guests.

Arrange for a ceilidh band for Highland dancing at your reception.

Select Scottish music such as "Maairi’s wedding" and "Queen of Argyll."

Provide an oatcake or bannocks (a barley and oat flour biscuit) for after the ceremony. Guests break these over the bride’s head in the doorway of her new home before she enters for the first time.

Tips

Remember that there is a 14-day waiting period after you give notice to your parish about your plans to marry. (Giving notice grew from the ancient process called the banns of marriage.)

Consider having part of all of your ceremony performed in Gaellic. Provide written translation for guests who won’t be able to understand the words.Sew a silver horseshoe into the hem of the bride’s dress to bring themarriage good luck.