Traditional Scottish Wedding Customs and Their Modern Adaptation
A wedding moment is a special one in anyone’s life, whether he is Scottish or someone else. Scotland is famous for different traditions and festivals related to it. Similarly, the wedding day is not free of customs or different Scottish rituals. In this blog post, we will talk about many unique, traditional Scottish wedding customs.
Traditional Scottish Wedding Customs
Scotland’s name is on the list of ancient countries where people still believe in traditional rites. The story of wedding customs is the same since most Scottish wedding customs are still very popular. If we specify some names, they are handfasting, offering Luckenbooth brooch, wearing traditional Scottish dress, quaich rituals, unity candle, and many more. ….
Sixpence in the Bride’s Shoe
One of the most traditional traditions in Scottish weddings is to slip a sixpence coin into the bride’s left shoe. The bride’s father is responsible for placing a coin before she walks to the aisle with her husband for blessings and prayer. On the other hand, the bride’s mother gives a gold coin offering prayers. This tradition aims to bring wealth to the lives of newly wedded couples.
Handfasting
“Tying the knot” is a traditional phrase referring to getting married. Similarly, handfasting is considered the Scottish name of this event. The history of this event is almost 5 centuries older in Scotland, and considered as the Celtic one.
One hand of both bride and groom are fastened with their traditional tartans. They are attached in a way that knots become more potent once they pull their hands back. Doing so results in a knot or fastens the hand. The tradition was optional in the beginning but has become legal with time. Modern people also use scarves, ropes, or something personal instead of tartan cloth.
Wearing Traditional Scottish Dress
It is said that Scottish traditions are only complete with their cultural Scottish Wedding dress. This saying is quite right, and people wearing kilts on different occasions, from wedding ceremonies to Highland games, are the most reliable proof. The groom and his allies are also seen in kilt outfits during wedding ceremonies.
When it comes to the dress of Scottish brides, they usually wear a white wedding dress with a tartan sash or shawl—wearing tartan aims to admire their heritage. Usually, brides or people on the bride’s side do not wear their traditional attire.
Luckenbooth Brooch
Wearing wedding rings is a common tradition worldwide, including Scotland, but wearing a Luckenbooth brooch might be new to those unfamiliar with Scottish wedding festivities. A Luckenbooth brooch is a set of two hearts intertwined with a crown covering them from the top.
Usually, the groom offers Luckenbooth to his wife. The brooch is made of silver or has a precious stone engraved in it. The tradition became common during the 16th century. It represents love and loyalty from both sides. Similarly, it is thought to scare away evil spirits from a couple’s life.
Feet Washing & Right Foot Forward
Feet washing is another custom that is pretty common in Scotland. The tradition takes place before the bride leaves her home for the Church. The primary participants in this custom are the bride and a senior family member who washes her feet. Doing so reveals the purity of the bride on her wedding day.
Another tradition from the same time and domain is right foot forwarding. The bride is expected to place the right foot when leaving the house, entering the Church for blessings, or the wedding venue. They consider doing so to bring good fortune to her life ahead.
Wedding Scramble
Another ancient tradition with the same purpose as that of right foot forward is the wedding scramble. It involves the bride’s father throwing many coins in the air before she sits in the car and leaves for Church. When he throws coins, children standing nearby pick them up. The tradition is common in most parts of Scotland, including clans.
The Quaich Ritual
Let us talk about another traditional custom: “The Quaich Ritual,” which is very ancient and common among Scots. It takes place when the bride and groom are legally married. On the wedding day, the couple is given a quaich, which is a silver pewter-made pot with handles on both sides. The wedding date is engraved on it to make it more special.
When given as a gift, the dram is filled with traditional whisky. The bride first drinks it and leaves it unfinished. Now, the groom has to finish the rest of the whisky. The importance of this traditional event increases if the couple and bride are not from the same clan and have not been on speaking terms already. They must hold quaich with both hands to ensure the unity ahead.
Ceilidh
Celtic folk music and dance make traditional or contemporary events more memorable. Then how can Ceilidh be kept aside on this special day? Not only the wedding day but the traditional custom is popular for every special event, whether St. Andrew’s Day or Highland games. People dance in groups of 4-8 couples at weddings, considering it a lively moment.
Bride to the Left of the Groom
Keeping the bride on the groom’s left side is a traditional wedding custom. Although the tradition is not common today, it used to be very popular a century ago. The groom holds the bride on the left side and keeps the dirk or sword in the right hand as a symptom of the bride’s safety. Doing so in the past meant that the groom would not refrain from fighting his in-laws even if they created any barrier to their union.
Creeling The Groom
This tradition might be new to some because modern adaptations have hidden this traditional custom. Creel is a Scottish word used for large pockets. In the past, the groom used to carry a creel and stand outside the bride’s house until she came out and kissed him.
Similarly, another basket-related custom was to tie the creel outside the Church with a ribbon. Once all the rituals were done, the couple came out and cut the ribbon, causing the basket to fall to the ground. Doing so was thought to bring good health and wealth in the coming days.
The Unity Candle
This custom has become common in recent years, though not much proof about its history is available today. It usually occurs on the wedding day when the bride and groom are from different clans. They are given 2 candles individually and a common candle to fire it together with the ones they already have.
Conclusion
Scottish wedding customs are unique and have been celebrated for centuries. Similarly, some traditions become popular with time. These customs are meant to bring good health, wealth, safety, and positivity to the lives of the bride and groom. Some cultural traditions, or, better to say, ancient, are sixpence in the bride’s foot, handfasting, and Ceilidh. Similarly, a time-born practice is the unity candle. Similarly, making wedding cakes is a traditional practice, but the cake types change with time.
