Scottish Wedding Traditions

BELOVED SCOTTISH TRADITIONS TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR HIGHLANDS WEDDING

We know that a primary reason why brides love the idea of tying the knot in the Scottish Highlands is the undeniable charm of beloved Scottish traditions. The Scots are all about lucky omens. Just like the lighthearted Scots themselves, these traditions are about enjoying good fun, and can bring a touch of romance to your day. Whether you're an in-the-know local or an enthusiastic foreigner set on the Highlands as your destination of choice, we encourage pulling in a few of these touches to make your day more authentically Scottish. And those who aren’t keen for their groom to wear a handcrafted kilt need not fear! Continue reading to discover many other unique traditions you can embrace instead.

Thistles

The Scottish thistle is the national emblem of Scotland and represents bravery, courage, and loyalty. Incorporating thistles and/or heather into your bouquet or your groom’s bobbin is a beautiful nod to the heritage of this bloom and the loyalty you are swearing to each other. In Scottish folklore, the thistle actually saved the nation from the attack of the Vikings. During a war between the Scots and the Vikings many years ago, a Viking attempting to sneak in and attack the Scots at night accidentally spiked his bare foot on a thistle. His cry of pain alerted the Scots to the imminent attack and saved them from harm!

A sixpence in your shoe

It is a centuries-old Scottish tradition for a bride to have a sixpence coin in/on her shoe to bring good luck on her special day! In this country, the rhyme goes: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence for her shoe.” Plan ahead and order your sixpence online or pick it up at a local novelty store, as the currency is no longer in circulation in Scotland.

Cut your wedding cake with a sword

Take cutting your wedding cake to the next level while in Scotland by slicing it with a sword. Believe it or not, this is a popular tradition that is still commonly practised by Scottish couples today! It makes for a great laugh and amazing photos, ensuring a moment your guests won’t soon forget. Finding a sword can be tricky, so start looking ahead of time. We recommend asking the assistance of your local cake maker, who should be able to either provide one or offer a good recommendation of where to look.

Enlist the talent of local bagpipers

There’s not a sound in the world more inherently Scottish than the blaying of a bagpipe. To set the tone of the ceremony for your arriving guests, we recommend hiring a bagpiper to stand outside the venue and greet guests with a cheerful tune. Bagpipers can also play as the bride and groom leave the ceremony in the traditional Scottish recessional ‘The Wedding Walk’. Often, the Bride and Groom are piped for their first dance as well, known as the Traditional Grand March.

The Scottish Quaich

Symbolize the unity and friendship of your wedding party by drinking from a Scottish Quaich, or ‘Loving Cup’. Traditionally, this two-handled silver bowl is given to the bride, then passed around to the wedding party post-nuptials for a celebratory sip of whiskey.

The Wedding Scramble

Sure to bring joy and laughter to the youngest guests, the ‘wedding scramble’ is a fun way to celebrate the departure of the bride and groom. As the bride steps into the car and shuts the door, it is traditional for her father to toss a handful of coins for the children gathered around to collect. This is believed to bring financial good fortune to the newlyweds and all their friends and family.

Exchanging of Gifts

Did you know that even wedding gifts are traditional in Scotland? If you’re looking for a tried-and-true gift to bestow upon your husband, the ‘wedding sark’ is the name given to the shirt worn by the groom on the wedding day, which is typically gifted by the bride. In return, the groom pays for the wedding dress. The best man traditionally gifts the couple with a clock, while the maid of honour presents them with a tea set. The most romantic gift of all, a ‘luckenbooth’, is a brooch typically made of silver and engraved with two interlocked hearts, and is given as a love token from the groom to the bride before the wedding.

A Penny Wedding

Planning a Highlands wedding on a budget? A traditional Penny Wedding means that guests bring their own food and drinks to the reception, allowing the happy couple to splurge on a beautiful, bedecked wedding cake to share with all.