Scottish Wedding Traditions

Though you may not think so, Scottish wedding traditions form the basis of our cultural traditions today. You may want to incorporate old world style into your wedding by wearing a wedding dress of color or of family tartan as was common in the 17th century, or 1600’s, Scottish wedding style. When starting out to plan your wedding you could do a quick online search of the Humphrey Scottish Wedding Center for ideas on Scottish wedding traditions. Ask your mother or grandmother what she did at her wedding and you will learn of many beautiful and familiar Scottish wedding traditions.

Scottish wedding traditions have some brides and bridesmaids wearing similar dresses in order to confuse evil spirits and ward off fairies. If it is possible you and your fiancée may want to take a trip to Scotland and get your engagement ring and wedding bands there and have them blessed by a traditional Scottish priest. You may also get some great old lace to incorporate into your dress. However, do not add the lace to your Scottish wedding gown yourself. It is bad luck in Scottish wedding traditions for the bride to make her own dress, though she should sew the last stitch on the morning of her wedding day to uphold the Scottish wedding tradition of bringing luck. You could also incorporate a horseshoe into your dress or jewelry for the day to bring luck as well. It is a Scottish wedding tradition for a young child to hand the bride or groom a horseshoe as they leave the church and start their new life together.

One of the most famous Scottish wedding customs out there is drinking. Whether you are having your wedding in Scotland or in New York City you should have some good Scotch. The men in the bridal party should all toast a traditional Scottish wedding blessing to the bride and groom at the reception. One of the things you may want to get for the bride and groom is the Scottish wedding tradition of a Loving Cup. This is a two handled cup that both the bride and groom drink from usually filled with brandy or scotch or whiskey.

Take a quick look online or in your local bookstore and you will find lots of information on Scottish wedding traditions. You will find some beautiful ideas for engraving your Scottish wedding rings, how the groom may dress in traditional Scottish tartan, and have bagpipes or bells when you leave your ceremony.