How to Plan a Foot-Washing Ceremony Before a Scottish Wedding

On the night before a traditional Scottish wedding, guests gather to drink, to toast to the couple's health and participate in a foot-washing ceremony, symbolically sending the couple off on the path of a fresh new life.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bath Towels
• Tubs
• Food And Drink
• Wedding Rings
• Tubs

1. Invite guests to your home on the eve of your wedding.

2. Prepare a tub of hot water.

3. Ask a married woman to place her wedding ring in the tub.

4. Expect the bride to take off her shoes and immerse her feet in the water.

5. Call people to gather around the tub.

6. Encourage guests to stick their hands in the water and help to wash the bride's feet.

7. Remind unmarried guests to look for the wedding ring.

8. Explain that the first one to find the ring will be the next to get married.

9. Have a towel ready to dry off the bride's feet when you are done.

10. Provide music, food and drinks for guests to enjoy afterward.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use a tub with a drain, make sure that the drain is closed so the ring can't slip away.

on 8/8/2006 This hasn't been done in Scotland in ages. Most Scottish people have never even heard of this custom. If you are an American trying to have a Scottish-themed wedding, leave this one out.

on 6/30/2006 The foot washing ceremony hasn't been done in Scotland in ages. Most Scottish people have never even heard of this custom. If you are an American trying to have a Scottish-themed wedding, leave this ceremony out.