Scottish Wedding Folklore & Traditions
18/12/2011 19:45
Traditional Scottish Wedding
The origins of the normal Scottish wedding:
Scotland perpetually looks to try and do things in it's own method and elegance - and a Scottish wedding is not any exception to the rule. within the twenty first century, the Scottish wedding is an intricate mix of ancient highland tradition mixed in with trendy, streamlined rites. gift day Scottish wedding traditions have their origins as way back because the thirteenth century. earlier the medieval Celtic church would proclaim the 'banns of marriage' for 3 successive Sundays. This apply of asserting a forthcoming wedding lasted for 600 years - till within the latter years of the twentieth century it became commonplace to 'give notice of intent' to a registry workplace many weeks before the supposed event.
Medieval Scottish wedding traditions:
It was traditional apply in olden times for a whole village to urge concerned within the preparations for the 'big day'. folks would line the streets to the church to cheer on the happy couple before they took their vows. In pre-reformation times, there's proof that 2 Scottish wedding services would frequently occur. One during which the priest would address the party in Scots dialect and lead a ceremony outside the church. while the a lot of formal Latin mass and nuptial ceremony would occur within.
The exchange of the rings has perpetually been a main feature in Scottish wedding ceremonies from past . a hoop has no starting and no finish and as such symbolises the love among a wedding. The kissing of the bride follows on from this exchange of rings, and sometimes results in a cheer from the body of the kirk.
Following on from the formal church ceremony, a piper or cluster of pipers would frequently lead the whole cluster of guests down the streets, usually to a relative's house, for a non-stop night of celebration, feasting and pleasure. native musicians led by pipers would get the dancing started and tradition has it that the primary dance, normally a reel, would involve the newly wed couple. Following on from their efforts, the remainder of the guests would then dance all the method into the sma' hours. during this respect, very little has modified over 800 years - perhaps excluding the dress code and also the form of beer on faucet.
When the marriage celebrations were over, the married couple would then leave to pay the night in their new home. the traditional tradition of carrying the bride over the doorstep was linked to the superstition that evil spirits inhabit the thresholds of doors. Hence the bride is lifted over the thresholds - and into the marriage bed. In medieval times, a priest would usually bless the house and bless the marriage bed at this point. Then for the primary time, as man and wife, the newly weds would have some quality time on their own.
Other wedding rituals like the Highland custom of 'creeling the bridegroom', concerned the groom carrying an oversized creel or basket full of stones from one finish of a village to the opposite. He continued with this arduous task till such times as his bride to be would commence of her house and kiss him. as long as she did, would his friends enable him to flee from the 'creeling' otherwise he had to continue till he had completed the circuit of the city.
Modern Scottish Wedding Traditions:
In more trendy times, lots of the superstition and rituals are replaced by a lot of showpiece proceedings. However, several of today's traditions still hark back to the past.
The bagpipes is used to feature atmosphere and grandeur to a marriage. The piper, in full Highland dress, stands at the church door and plays because the guests arrive. Later he leads the couple from the church to the automotive. The piping traditions continue, the married couple are frequently piped to the highest table of honour at the side of the bridal party. With the cutting of the cake, once more a piper is commonly asked to perform and a dirk, 'sharp highland dagger', is historically handed over by the piper to begin the 'cutting of the cake'. because the bride slices the primary piece of cake, custom dictates that her hand is guided by that of her new husband.
The bride's 'show of presents' originates from the tradition of the 'bridal shower', where native feminine villagers would gift things that will facilitate a young couple start successfully in their house. Nowadays, this usually takes place within the home of the mother of the bride and also the gifts have barely a lot of luxury than those in older times.
A bridegroom's stag night, likewise has ancient roots. The young man amid his friends takes to the city and downs a fountain of beverages. One tradition has it that in smaller cities the groom to be would be stripped of his garments and left within the street outside his home - or worse still tied to a lamp post! the nice news is that he would not realise what had happened until consequent morning.
The wedding ring, till the late twentieth century tended to be for the bride and not the groom. In later decades each bride and groom currently wear rings for the foremost half. the normal Scottish gold wedding band dates back to the 1500's. This form of ring continues to be common as a marriage ring these days - as are Celtic knot work designed engagement and wedding rings.
Traditions in Scotland Before the marriage Ceremony:
Often before a Scottish bride is married, her mother holds an open house for a standard "show of presents." invites are sent to those that gave wedding gifts to the couple and also the wedding gifts are unwrapped and launched for viewing. once the show of presents the bride-to-be is commonly dressed up and her friends escort her through her city, singing and banging pots and pans, heralding the bride's wedding day. This tradition has evolved into the legendary 'hen night'.
The groom, meanwhile, is taken out for a stag night on one in every of the evenings preceding the marriage. The Stag Night is supposed to be a celebration of the last night of freedom, and the way of reassuring friends that being married doesn't suggest that they're shut out of your life. The groom, just like the bride, is dressed up and brought around city by his friends and work mates. there's usually a good deal of harmless sensible joking, of that the poor groom is that the main target. When the night winds down, the groom is usually stripped of his garments and coated in soot, treacle and feathers and left overnight tied to a tree or post. In some rural spaces an open lorry is employed and also the groom is paraded through his native area with a lot of noise and celebration.
Traditional Scottish Wedding Dress:
There is very little doubt that ancient Scottish outfits add barely of sophistication and splendour to the marriage day and its associated ceremonies. the employment of highland dress and also the kilt, jacket, dirk and sporran in Scottish weddings has continued over the centuries. while the bride's white robe and veil has its roots in additional trendy times. A Scottish bride can sometimes wear a standard white or cream wedding robe. The groom's party and her father might return to the marriage resplendent in full Highland dress within the ancient clan tartan of their clans. She would possibly wear a horseshoe on her arm for smart luck, or a pageboy would possibly deliver one to her as she arrives at the ceremony. Bridesmaids might wear regardless of the bride has chosen to match her dress and it should embody alittle tartan accent. Bouquets might embody tartan ribbons or bows.
A gent's highland wedding outfit in its entirety consists of the following:
Bonnie Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat, kilt, tartan flashes to match kilt, white hose, gillie brogues, kilt pin, sgian dubh, black belt with buckle, formal sporran with chain strap, wing collar shirt, black or colored bow tie, and a bit of lucky heather on the lapel. He conjointly has the choice of sporting a fly plaid, that is anchored underneath the paulette on the shoulder of the jacket and secured by an oversized plaid brooch, (Cairngorm).
For the bride 'something recent .... one thing new' -
For the bride a universal custom is that the 'something recent, one thing new, one thing borrowed, one thing blue' - in fact the 'something new' is the bride's dress! The 'something new' at the marriage will become the 'something old' or 'something borrowed' at consequent generation' s weddings. The bride typically wears a blue garter (symbolizing love) that plays a region later at the marriage reception. it absolutely was conjointly ancient in some areas for the bride to place alittle silver coin in her shoe to bring her smart luck.
Something recent -
A gift from mother to daughter to begin her off for married life, and symbolising the passing on a trifle of mother's knowledge.
Something new -
A gift symbolising the new begin married life represents.
Something borrowed -
The idea here is that one thing is borrowed from a happily married couple within the hope that alittle of their martial bliss can rub off on the newlyweds.
Something blue -
There are 2 seemingly sources for this. Roman girls used to frame their robes with blue as a symptom of modesty, love, and fidelity. conjointly blue is that the color normally related to Mary the mother of Jesus who is commonly used to symbolise steadfast love, purity, and sincerity.
After the marriage ceremony, it's ancient for flowers, petals, or pretty paper confetti to be thrown at the departing couple. In some rural areas the couple throw coins to the youngsters who have gathered outside the church to observe. this is often known as a "scramble". this is often the rationale youngsters create a bee-line for native weddings. because the couple leave the ceremony the groom dips his hands into his pockets (or sporran), and throws all his loose modification out on the bottom for the youngsters to scramble for.
Another tradition frequently seen throughout the evening wedding festivities involves the bride throwing her bridal bouquet, sometimes white roses, over her left shoulder. Her feminine non-attached bridesmaids and different single girls within the bridal party stand in an exceedingly line behind her. The lady who catches the thrown flower posy is by tradition planning to be consequent within the cluster to urge married.
Traditional wedding reception festivities will simply last all night and also the newly-wed couple lead off the dancing. Before the evening is finished the bride and groom leave as quietly and secretly as they'll and head to a pre -arranged destination for his or her wedding night - usually leaving for the honeymoon consequent day.
More Scottish Wedding Ideas:
Give a Scottish brooch (called Luckenbooth) as a token of your love or as a betrothal gift. this is often sometimes made from silver and is engraved with 2 hearts entwined. Some couples pin this on the blanket of their first-born for smart luck.
Weddings and receptions are someday held at a Scottish castle if there's an appropriate one nearby. For one thing easier and fewer expensive, the village hall, an out of doors venue or, for a fair a lot of ancient choice, the ceremony is within the house. If cash is extremely tight, attempt arranging a "Penny Wedding," during which guests are expected to bring their own food and drinks to the church to celebrate once the ceremony is over.
The distinction between Scotland and also the remainder of the U.K. is that, in Scotland, it's the one who is licensed to conduct a wedding service and not the building that's licensed to carry a marriage.
Local Scottish Wedding Traditions:
Wedding customs have modified dramatically over the years. Some elements of weddings appear steeped in tradition while you'll be glad to listen to of some customs that have died out over the years!
In Aberdeenshire even currently, the 'blackening' could be a ritual performed with nice relish. The engaged couple are captured one night by so-called 'friends' and coated with foul substances like treacle, feathers, soot, etc. they're then paraded round the village and typically the pubs. It takes days to clean clean!
In the eighteenth century, the custom of hand-fasting was observed. a few would live along for a year and each day, at which period they may decide whether or not to half or create a lifelong commitment. it absolutely was thought-about a lot of vital for the bride to be experienced and fertile than to be a virgin.
Tradition says sew a hair onto the hem of a marriage dress for luck, or let a drop of blood fall onto an inner seam. The bride mustn't ever attempt on a sophisticated dress beforehand of her wedding day. To facilitate this tradition alittle section of the hem is left unsewn by the dressmaker till the last moment.
Lastly, the bride, when she leaves home for the last time as one lady, ought to step out of the house together with her right foot for luck.
Penny Bridal or Silver Bridal:
These festivities, conjointly called Penny Weddings, were renowned for feasting, drinking, dancing and fighting and were enjoyed by all except the clergy - who disapproved of such raucous behaviour. Gifts were created to the newly-weds towards the value of the marriage feast and also the celebrations started on the eve of the marriage with singing, toasts and also the ceremony of 'feet washing', that is described below.
Feet laundry
A tub of water was placed within the best area, during which the bride placed her feet, her feminine friends then gathered around to assist wash them. a marriage ring from a happily married girl was previously placed within the tub and it absolutely was believed that whoever found the ring would be consequent to urge married.
The men folks were outside the door creating jokes and making an attempt to observe through the doorway. The bridegroom was then seized by the ladies and created to take a seat at the bathtub. His legs were none too gently daubed with soot, ashes and cinders - quite a painful procedure as you may guess!
Wedding Procession
The following day, the bridal party created their thanks to the church with flower petals being thrown in front of the bride. If they encountered a funeral or a pig on the method, it absolutely was thought-about dangerous luck and that they would come back home and launched once more. the primary person they encountered was known as the first- foot and would be given a coin and a drink of whisky by the bride. He would then have to be compelled to accompany the bridal party for one mile before being allowed to continue on his method.
Adopted Scottish Wedding Traditions:
Tying shoes to a automotive bumper
This tradition represents the symbolism and power of shoes in past. Egyptians would exchange sandals after they exchanged product, thus when the daddy of the bride gave his daughter to the groom, he would conjointly provide the bride's sandals to indicate that she currently belonged to the groom. In Anglo-Saxon times, the groom would faucet the heel of the bride's shoe to indicate his authority over her. In later times, folks would throw shoes at the couple. currently of us simply tie shoes to the couple's automotive.
The taking of every other's right hand
The open right hand could be a image of strength, resource and purpose. the approaching along of each right hands could be a image that each the bride and also the groom will rely upon one another and also the resources that every brings to the wedding.
Tying the knot
This wonderful expression originated from Roman times when the bride wore a girdle that was tied in knots that the groom had the fun of untying. As a facet note, this phrase can even see the tying of the knot in hand-fasting ceremonies, that were usually performed while not the advantage of a priest.
Wearing of a veil
Originated with organized marriages. In these, the groom's family informed him that he was to marry, however they terribly rarely let him see the bride. After all, if the groom did not just like the bride's appearance, he won't conform to the wedding. With this in mind, the daddy of the bride gave the bride away to the groom who then lifted the veil to examine his wife of all eternity for the primary time.
Wedding cake
Like most rituals handed down through the ages, a marriage would not be complete while not fertility symbols, just like the wedding cake. Ancient Romans would bake a cake made from wheat or barley and break it over the bride's head as a logo of her fertility. Over time, it became ancient to stack many cakes on prime of 1 another. The bride and groom would then be charged to kiss over this tower while not knocking it over. If they were successful, a lifetime of fine fortune was bound for the new couple. Finally, throughout the reign of King Charles II of England, it became customary for such a cake to be iced with sugar.
Leap year proposals
The right of {each} girl to propose on twenty ninth February each bissextile year, goes back several many years to when the bissextile year day had no recognition in English law (the day was 'leapt over' and ignored, hence the term 'leap year'). it absolutely was thought-about, therefore, that because the day had no legal standing, it absolutely was cheap to assume that traditions conjointly had no standing. Consequently, girls who were involved concerning being 'left on the shelf' took advantage of this anomaly and proposed to the person they wanted to marry.
It was conjointly thought that since the bissextile year day corrected the discrepancy between the calendar year of 12 months and also the time taken for the planet to complete one orbit of the sun (365 days and half dozen hours), it absolutely was a chance for girls to correct a convention that was one-sided and unjust.
For those wishing to require advantage of this ancient tradition, you'll have to be compelled to wait till February twenty ninth 2008!
Throwing confetti
Throwing confetti over newly-weds originated from the traditional pagan ceremony of showering the happy couple with grain to want upon them a 'fruitful' union. Pagans believed that the fertility of the seeds would be transferred to the couple on whom they fell. The throwing of rice has a similar symbolic that means.
The word confetti has a similar root because the word confectionery in Italian and was used to explain 'sweetmeats' that's, grain and nuts coated in sugar that were thrown over newly-weds for a similar pagan reason. In recent years, little items of colored paper have replaced sweetmeats, grain and nuts as an affordable substitute, however the employment of the word confetti has remained.
Carrying the bride over the edge
Earlier we tend to checked out the medieval Scottish tradition of carrying the bride over the edge - to avoid contact with 'evil spirits'. The Romans equally believed that it absolutely was unlucky if the bride tripped on getting into the house for the primary time. so that they organized for many members of the bridal party to hold her over the edge. these days the groom is anticipated to try and do the work himself.
Grey Horses
All the most effective bridal carriages used to be pulled by gray horses and it's still thought-about smart luck to examine a gray horse on the thanks to the church.
Lucky horse shoe
Horseshoes have perpetually been lucky. there's a pleasant story concerning the devil asking a blacksmith to shoe his single hoof. When the blacksmith recognised his client he dispensed the work as painfully as attainable till the devil roared for mercy. He was released on condition that he would never enter an area where a horseshoe was displayed. A horse shoe carried by the bride is taken into account a logo of fertility.
Wedding Bells
A peal of bells because the bridal couple leave the church is one in every of the oldest traditions. Before the times of widespread literacy and newspapers this was how the native folks knew a marriage had taken place. The sound of bells was conjointly said to drive away evil spirits.
Lucky Chimney Sweep
Brides still take into account it lucky if they pass a chimney-sweep on the thanks to the marriage because the quaint soot-covered sweep had magical associations with the family and fireside - the center of the house.
Lastly, do not look within the mirror!
It is dangerous luck for the bride to seem within the mirror sporting her complete outfit before her wedding day - recent beliefs say that a part of yourself goes into the reflection and so, the bride wouldn't be giving all of herself to her new husband.
Scottish wedding traditions are memorable - and have influenced wedding day rites worldwide.
Scotlands Ceilidh Band give quality Scottish dance entertainment for weddings, social and party events worldwide. skilled dance caller and ceilidh band disco combine obtainable. Scottish weddings are our speciality. The members of our ceilidh band have played along since we tend to were briefly trousers and our band has played each nationally and internationally to audiences of all sizes and cultures.