How To Incorporate Your Scottish Heritage Into Your Wedding Day
People with Scottish heritage have plenty to feast on, and that’s especially true when it comes to their wedding day. After all, Scottish wedding traditions are so iconic that even people without Scottish heritage are often drawn to incorporating elements into their big day.
What’s more, you don’t need to be getting married in Bonnie Scotland to have a Scottish wedding (though you can — check out our last point). There are plenty of ways to honor your lineage in a way that feels completely authentic. Take our tips on board, and you’ll have the Highlands-infused wedding day that you always dreamed of.
The Handfasting Tradition
Handfasting is one of the most charming wedding traditions we know of. The process involves tying the bride and groom’s hands together with ribbon or cord as a way to symbolize the new union. It’s an easy, low-key, and classy way to add a touch of your Scottish ancestry to your special day.
Wear a Kilt —And Ask Others to Do So Too
The kilt is a mainstay of Scottish weddings. In fact, we’ll go as far as to say that you’ll almost never attend a Scottish wedding without seeing at least one kilt on display, so if you’re looking to make your wedding authentically Scottish, then this is the way to go. Plus, once you own your mens kilt, you’ll be able to wear it for the rest of your life. It’s a genuinely versatile item that you’ll put to good use on Scottish-related holidays (such as Burns Night and St. Andrew’s Day) and when you’re attending other weddings.
Hire a Bagpipe Player
Bagpipes have a long history of being played at Scottish weddings. Not only do they help to infuse your big day with a healthy dose of your lineage, but they’re also pretty dramatic in their own right — everyone remembers when a couple walks down the aisle to the sound of bagpipes.
Serve Scottish Food (And Drinks!)
Looking to go all out with the Scottish theme at your wedding? Then a Scots-inspired menu that includes haggis, salmon, and Angus beef can make for the perfect Scottish dining experience. It’s also recommended to stock the bar with a few of Scotland’s finest single malt whiskies, which are typically preferred for weddings thanks to their smooth profiles.
Consider Eloping to Scotland
Finally, if you’re fully set on getting married, but are less committed to doing the whole traditional big day thing, then you can always consider eloping to Scotland. This highly romantic option is increasingly popular, because hey, who doesn’t love the idea of running away to get married in the Scottish Highlands? There’s something very 19th-century novel about the whole thing.
If you’re looking to heighten the romance even further (not that it needs it!), then consider traveling across the Atlantic Ocean by ocean liner; the Queen Mary 2 will take you to Southampton, at which point you can take a train up to Scotland. As far as wedding day stories go, that would be hard to beat.
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