Wedding Traditions of Scotland

The wedding traditions of Scotland are rich and colorful. From the wooing and courting, through the Scottish wedding ceremony, and on into the home, the traditions abound with blessings, hilarity, and such Scottish-ness.

Starting from the beginning of the courting process, the list will go through the traditions of Scottish weddings in the order they would occur, from The Wooin’, leading up to the wedding ceremony and on through to At the New Home. Within each section, the traditions will be listed in the order of their occurrence ~ except the Wedding, which is alphabetized.

Remember this is your wedding. You can use any of the Scottish traditions for weddings you like, or you can ignore any that don’t interest you.

The Wooin’

The Wooing Traditions of Scottish Weddings

• Rocking
• Bundling
• Speerin’ & Beukin’

The Tryste

The Tryste Traditions of Scottish Weddings

• Fede ring
• Lukenbooth Brooch
• Claddagh Ring

Handfasting

Handfasting Traditions of Scotland

Surnames

Celtic Surname Traditions

• Change the Name and Not the Letter
• Keeping Her Maiden Name
• Practice Writing Her New Name

Prenuptial Ceremonies and Traditions

Scottish Prenuptial Ceremony Traditions

• Proclamation
• The Biddin’
• Carrot Sunday
• Fairings and Tokens
• Attendant Responsibilities
• Couple’s Responsibilities

Scottish Wedding Last Minute Traditions

Last Minute Wedding Customs of Scotland

• Show of Gifts
• Receiving of Crockery
• Make Up Bell

The Stag and Hen Parties

Scottish Stag and Hen Party Traditions

• Foot Washing
• Creelin’ o’ the Bridegroom
• The Hen Party
• Chantie Jumping

Symbols Seen in Scottish Weddings

Scottish Theme Wedding Symbols

• Celtic Knots
• Clan Plants and Badges
• Clan Mottos
• The Saltire
• Scottish Thistle

Days and Months

Days, Weeks, and Months Wedding Customs

• Days of the Week
• Birth Days
• Sunday Marriages
• The Month of Marriage
• The Season of the Year
• The Phase of the Moon and Tides

Bridal Wear

Bridal Wear Traditions in Scotland

• The Last Stitch
• The Wedding Veil
• Bridal Shoes
• Paisley
• Lucky Sixpence
• Wedding Dress Colors

The Wedding Day Traditions

Scottish Wedding Day Traditions

• A Rainy Wedding Day
• The Bridal Concomitant
• A Last Look in the Mirror
• The Procession
• The First Foot
• Good Omens
• The Bridal Bouquet
• The Groom’s Boutonniere
• Horses
• Horseshoes
• A Walk With the Sun
• Bridesmaids

Wedding Ceremony Traditions

Traditions of Scottish Wedding Ceremonies

• At the Kirk Doors
• Blessing the Wedding Food
• Bride to the Groom’s Left
• The Caim
• Wedding Confetti
• The Groom’s Siller
• The Oathing Stone
• Pinning of the Tartan
• Pledging to Provide and Protect
• Presentation of the Sword
• The Quaich
• Ringing of the Bells
• The Unity Candle
• Wedding Rings

Celtic Blessings

Celtic Blessings for Scottish Wedding Ceremonies

Traditional Penny Weddings

Penny Wedding Traditions

The Ceilidh

The Ceilidh Wedding Reception Traditions

• Bell Ringing
• Special Dances
• Wedding Favors
• The Schenachy
• Sealie-Hoo
• A Siller Spuin
• The Toast to the Wedding Couple
• Usquebagh
• The Wedding Musicians
• The Wishing Well

The Wedding Cake

Wedding Cake Traditions in Scotland

• Scottish Wedding Cake
• Cutting the Cake
• Victorian Cake Pulls
• Victorian Wedding Cake Charms and Their Meanings

The Send Off

The Send Off Traditions

• The Shoon
• Scottish Scramble
• The Walk Home

At The New Home

At the New Home Scottish Traditions

• The Marital Welcome
• Crossing the Threshold
• Bannocks
• The Meenister’s Blessing
• Preparing the Marital Bed
• Sprinkling The Marriage Bed
• Hystin’ or Beddin’
• The Shamrock
• Donning the breid tri chearnach

The Honeymoon

Honeymoon Traditions

Elopement to Gretna Green

Traditions About Eloping to Gretna Green

There are probably a lot more Scottish wedding traditions, if you know of any, please contact us with the information.

Pick what you like, discard what doesn’t fit for you, have a wonderful wedding full of Scottish Wedding Traditions, have fun, and have a long happy life together!

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