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If you are planning on getting married here in Scotland, then consider including some of our most popular Scottish wedding traditions. From a flash of tartan to all-out bagpipes, there are plenty of ways to reflect Scotland ion your special day..
A Quaich ceremony
In Scotland, a quaich is a small, two-handled cup often used during wedding ceremonies. The couple share a sip of whisky from it as a way to symbolise their love, union and commitment to one another. It’s for this reason that it is sometimes called a love cup. The quaich remains a symbol and an important part of their life together and is often personalised for each couple.
Handfasting
The Handfasting Ceremony is a cherished Scottish wedding tradition. It involves binding the couple’s hands with ribbons or cords during their vows. This signifies their unity and commitment.
This time-honoured ritual highlights the strength of the marital bond. Handfasting represents a pledge to support one another through all of life’s challenges. The cords are often customised with family tartans or other meaningful symbols, adding a personal touch to the ceremony.
Wearing tartan
Scotland is famous for its tartan, and it’s common for the groom and his groomsmen to wear a tartan related to his family. This could be in the form of a full kilt and Highland dress, or a flash of colour in a pocket square. There’s no right or wrong here, so even if you discover a tartan you are not related to but love the design, nobody is going to stop you wearing it – we encourage you to embrace our culture!
Played in by a piper
Often when the bride arrives at the ceremony (fashionably late or not), she is played in by a lone bagpiper. This alerts the guests to her arrival, and offers a very Scottish start to proceedings. The piper can also play out the happy couple afterwards too, and makes for a great photo opportunity for guests. Pipers local to Inverness include Jason Faulkner and The Loch Ness Piper.
The scramble
Although sadly vanishing from even Scottish weddings, the scramble is a wonderful tradition which brings in the local community. As the bride leaves her home for the last time before getting married, the father of the bride would throw a handful of coins on the pavement outside for the local children to ‘scramble’ to collect. Doing so was supposed to bring good fortune to the couple, and also to the local youth!
Give a Luckenbooth brooch
The tradition of a Luckenbooth brooch in Scotland goes back hundreds of years, and it’s usually made from silver or gold. It often has a crown above one heart, or two intertwined hearts and can be given to the groom or bride as a sign of love. Some say such a brooch was given by Mary Queen of Scots to Lord Darnley.
Weddings at Ness Walk
All Scottish wedding traditions are welcomed here at Ness Walk. If you are interested in exclusively hiring out the hotel for a wedding, then do get in touch. Our experienced team will guide you through the preparations, and help ensure your wedding day is as memorable as it is authentic.
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