If you have ever been to Scotland, you know all about the beautiful rolling hills and picturesque scenery. It is no wonder so many people choose to have a destination wedding there. It is ideal for a memorable experience. Unfortunately, it can get expensive and impractical to fly across the world for a wedding.
Why not bring the beauty of Scotland back home? You can still have a Scottish wedding without the stress of a destination wedding. With that said, let’s look at the top Scottish wedding traditions you should be familiar with.
1. Luckenbooth
Luckenbooths are small silver broaches that are often given to brides by their partners on the wedding day. They are engraved with two intertwined hearts topped with a crown that represents Mary Queen of Scots. It is a token of love, and it also brings good luck to pin it to your firstborn’s blanket.
The Luckenbooths got their name from the shops they were often sold, literally ‘locked booths.’ They were small jewelry shops that would be locked up at night to keep the valuable goods safe.
2. Feet Washing
This option is a bit of an odd one, but it is real! A bride sits on a stool on the day of the wedding, and an older, happily-married woman washes her feet. This tradition was common in the areas of Fife, Dundee, and Angus.
Sometimes, the woman washing the feet would drop a ring into the water. The first single lady at the wedding to find it would be married next. Similar to catching the bouquet.
3. Kirk Vows
Kirk is the Scottish word for church, and it is customary for the bride and groom to exchange their vows outside the church’s entrance. All of the guests would be standing by, watching this take place. Then, the bride and groom enter the church for the Nuptial Mass and the blessing of the food.
4. Kilts
You are likely already familiar with one of the most iconic aspects of traditional Scottish attire: kilts. These are recognized around the world, and it’s a proud part of Scottish identity. Scottish treat kilts with their family’s tartan colors as formalwear.
This option means that the groom and major male figures at the wedding should be wearing their kilts. If the groom does not have Scottish heritage, they can still choose a more common tartan design. The point is, any proper Scottish wedding will feature kilts.
5. Wedding Confetti
One of the most common wedding traditions is wedding confetti. Although it originated from Italy, when sugared almonds were served at weddings, the UK took it and created the colorful paper shapes we know today. These are thrown at the bride and groom as part of the wedding ceremony.
Confetti is as classic as a good wedding cake, and it is preferable to throwing rice since it isn’t likely to cause any injuries. If you’re looking for unique Scottish wedding ideas, consider looking for confetti made of shamrock shapes.
6. The Wedding Sark
Many common wedding traditions involve the groom gifting the bride. The wedding sark flips the switch on that. The sark is the groom’s shirt during the wedding, and traditionally, it is paid for by the bride.
In return, the groom pays for the bride’s wedding dress. This option is a beautiful and simple way to exchange something memorable as you embrace Scottish traditions.
7. Unity Candle Ceremony
The unity candle ceremony symbolizes two clans joining together. In Scottish history, there would be three candles. Two tapers are placed on each side of a central candle; this symbolizes the two families.
The more central candle signifies the new family formed by marriage. These are no ordinary candles either. They are often adorned with Luckenbooths, ribbons, or flowers.
8. Tying the Knot
You may have heard of this famous phrase before, but did you know it came from Scotland? That is right; this is from a Scottish tradition. Couples in the past would take pieces of their family tartan and their clan fabric and tie a new knot with both pieces.
This process symbolized the coming together of families. During this ceremony, it is not uncommon for some brides and grooms to have a religious blessing.
9. The Caim
One of the more romantic Scottish traditions is the Caim. This prayer is done in a sacred circle at the altar. The intention is to protect the bride and groom during their marriage.
The circle represents community, wholeness, and connection to the cosmos. It is usually drawn by sword or lance around the couple. As the circle is drawn, a blessing would be said:
The Mighty Three, my protection be, encircle me.
You are around my life, my love, my home.
Encircle me. O sacred three, the Mighty
Thee.
10. Bagpipes
As famous as the kilts, no Scottish wedding is complete without bagpipes. They have been around for centuries, and the tradition continues to this day. Usually, the Piper stands at the door of the church and plays as guests arrive.
The Piper might also play as the newlyweds leave the wedding and make their way to the car. If you’re going to have a Scottish wedding, bagpipes are a must.
Top Scottish Wedding Traditions
Planning a wedding is simultaneously exhausting and exciting, especially when it honors a cultural tradition. With 2.5 million weddings happening every year in the U.S., it is easy to be overwhelmed by all of the options available for your special day. If you are looking at having a Scottish wedding, there are several Scottish wedding traditions to get familiar with.
Some may be unusual, but hey—that is part of the fun!
Need some help planning the wedding of your dreams? We got you covered! Be sure to contact us for all your wedding planning needs.
Wedding Details is your comprehensive guide to all aspects of your wedding. From traditional ceremonies to questions regarding the guests, our website offers you one place to do all your research.