Bringing a little Scottish Tradition into your Wedding
Planning a wedding or vow renewal in Scotland or looking to honour your heritage with a Celtic twist? Whether you’re tying the knot in a lochside ceremony or just sneaking some heather into your bouquet, adding one or two Scottish wedding traditions can bring charm, warmth, and more than a wee dram of history to your wedding day.
Forget the generic “something old” and “sixpence in your shoe”—let’s dive into a few Scottish wedding customs that might make your hearts (and bagpipes) sing.
Piping in the Joy
Nothing sets the tone quite like the skirl of the pipes. From leading the wedding party into the ceremony to guiding the newlyweds to dinner, the piper is more than a musician — they’re a bringer of luck and a banisher of misfortune. And remember: afterwards, you “pay the piper” with a dram of whisky – it’s tradition — and good manners!
The Quaich: Share a Sip, Seal a Bond
This shallow, two-handled cup is a symbol of unity and trust. Traditionally filled with whisky (but you can choose something more to your taste) the Quaich is shared between the couple as a toast to trust and togetherness. The fact that it requires both hands? That’s historical clan-level trust – no one’s drawing a sword if their hands are full – and therefore the quaich carries the promise of mutual respect and peace in the relationship.
Handfasting: The Original ‘Tying the Knot’
An ancient Scottish and Celtic marriage custom that’s both beautiful and legally recognized, during which the couple literally have their hands tied together with tartan, ribbons, or braids during their ceremony. The choice of braid, ribbon or cord can be used to represent shared values, hopes or heritage and when combined with saying wedding vows, this ritual is a meaningful way to demonstrate the binding of two lives, families, and futures together.
Oathing Stone: Vows Set in Stone
An optional but powerful ritual is for the couple to place their hands on a stone while making their vows. In ancient times, this symbolized unbreakable oaths and today it adds a dramatic, ‘weight’ to your ceremony. Some couples choose to have their initials or names carved into the stone either before or after the ceremony, or pick a stone from a place that is important to them – such as local glen, or favourite holiday destination – making their stone a lasting touchstone for their relationship.
White Heather & Thistle: Flowers of Good Fortune
Add a sprig of white heather from the Scottish Highlands, to your bouquet or boutonnière for a charming and uniquely Scottish token of good fortune. Or, perhaps the thistle, as Scotland’s national flower, would suit you better as it represents strength, protection, and resilience — all qualities desirable in a lasting marriage.
However you choose to celebrate, these traditions offer more than old-world charm — they connect you to Scotland’s rich history and heritage with its centuries of love, resilience, and storytelling. Whether you go all-out tartan or just raise a Quaich and make a toast in honour of your roots, your Scottish-inspired wedding elements carry a deep sense of meaningful connection – both to Scotland and each other.
Whatever you choose, may your wedding celebration be joyful, heartfelt, and uniquely yours.
Slàinte mhath!
