There’s just something romantic about adding centuries-old wedding traditions to the big day!
Traditions are the perfect way to truly experience and embrace your proud heritage. It probably comes as no surprise that the Scots have their fair share of heartwarming wedding traditions that offer good luck and happiness to the newlyweds. Now, there are far more noteworthy customs than those listed below, but these are some of our favourite Scottish wedding traditions…
Feet Washing
Most common in the regions of Fife and Dundee and Angus. Its custom for the bride to sit on a stool while an older married woman washes and dries her feet. Just be sure to get a pretty pedi before!
The Luckenbooth
Scottish brides are traditionally adorned with a broach, a token of love from the groom called the Luckenbooth. The Luckenbooth is customarily made from silver and engraved with two hearts making it an ultra-romantic addition to any lucky bride’s wedding ensemble.
The Speerin
Now this one’s for the groom! This challenging tradition takes places as the groom completes a series of tasks or trials in attempts to impress their soon-to-be father-in-law to gain his favour and approval.
Lucky Charms
Including a few lucky charms on the big day is something we’re all familiar with, but placing a sixpence in the bride’s shoe and hiding a sprig of heather in her bouquet are said to bring Scottish brides good fortune as they descend down the aisle.
The Quaich
The Quaich or ‘Loving Cup’ is a two-handled silver bowl, filled with whiskey of course, that is given to the bride and then passed around to the wedding party to sip after the wedding legal wedding proceedings have concluded.
Bagpipes
This may come as no surprise, but bagpipes are a key element of any Scottish wedding day. This centuries-old tradition can typically be heard as guests arrive and, as the couple leaves the ceremony, and usually also as the couple make their way to the top table and while they cut the cake at the reception.
Ringing of the Bells
Ringing the church bells signals a joyous declaration of the new union following the ceremony. Some couples even offer small bells for guests to rings as they walk down the aisle as newlyweds!
Pinning the Tartan
Once the happy couple has been declared man and wife, its custom that pinning the tartan takes place. This symbolises that each has been accepted into the other’s family. A rosette or crest of the other family is fastened to the bride or groom’s tartan by a member of the accepting family. This process symbolises that each has become a part of the other’s family.
Gifting of Clocks and Tea Sets
Scottish brides and grooms can always be sure of two gifts they’ll receive on a special day. The gifting of a clock from the best man and a tea set from the maid of honour is a longstanding tradition…and sure makes gift giving for these two a cinch!
Feature Photo: Laura Gordon Photography via Style Me Pretty
