Wedding Customs Around the World - Scotland
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Scotland has its own unique wedding traditions, which not surprisingly include pipers, tartan and highland kilts.
Usually about a week before a Scottish bride is married, her mother holds an open house for a traditional “show of presents”. This is similar to the bridal shower that some cultures have. The wedding gifts are unwrapped and set out for viewing while refreshments are served.
The groom traditionally has a stag party where his mates will get him very drunk and leave him somewhere or even tie him up naked or with very little clothing!
When the bride leaves home for the wedding, she should step out of the house with her right foot first. A silver coin in her shoe will also bring luck.
As the bride gets into the bridal car the person giving her away, usually her father, should throw a handful of coins to any waiting children. This is called a scramble and helps to bring good financial luck.
Scottish brides normally wear a white or cream wedding gown, sometimes with a tartan bow, sash or ribbon. She may wear a white heather sprig for luck, or carry a horseshoe within her bouquet, which can include tartan ribbons or bows.
The groom's wedding outfit is traditional Highland dress, and most male guests will also be kilted. Highland dress includes a kilt of the family tartan, a jacket with a buttonhole of white heather, and a sporran. There may also be a fly plaid which is anchored to the shoulder by a plaid brooch.
Bagpipes are traditional for Scottish weddings, and “Highland Wedding” is played at virtually all Scottish weddings. A Piper, in full Highland dress, plays by the church door as the guests arrive. Later he leads the couple from the church to the car. Some couples have the Piper play to the congregation during the signing of the marriage certificate.
At the reception the Piper plays as bride and groom go to their table, and the Piper will hand his dirk to the couple to use for the traditional cutting of the cake. It is customary that as the bride slices the first piece her hand is guided by the hand of her new husband.
Before festivities are over the bride and groom sneak away to a pre -arranged destination for their wedding night, normally leaving for the honeymoon the next day. Guests often gather in a circle before leaving and sing "Auld Lang Syne".
A Scottish custom for over 700 years is that the groom carrying his new bride over the threshold of their new home together.