How to Dress for a Scottish Wedding

By eHow Weddings Editor

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Reflect your pride in your cultural heritage by selecting traditional Scottish attire for your wedding.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Bride and Bridesmaids

Step1
Select a plain white gown for the bride.
Step2
Trim the bride's dress with tartan ribbons. Tartan is a pattern commonly referred to as plaid. The ribbons are made of lightweight worsted fabric.
Step3
Look for embroidered touches that will make the dress stand out, such as a Celtic knot, which represents the eternity of love and nature.
Step4
Drape a tartan shawl around the bride's shoulders or use a tartan sash at her waist.
Step5
Select bridemaid's dresses of lightweight wool with full tartan skirts and velvet bodices for cooler weather.
Step6
Opt for lightweight dresses trimmed with tartan for a summer wedding.

Groom and Groomsmen

Step1
Plan for the groom and groomsmen to wear traditional Highland outfits, which include kilts, jackets and hose.
Step2
Buy or rent kilts. Remember that each clan has its own tartan, or plaid design. Distinguish the groom from the groomsmen by securing a piece of tartan on the shoulder of his jacket with a large brooch.
Step3
Include coats and vests for all of the men.
Step4
Give all of the men sporrans, which are simple leather pouches that hang around the waist. Select a formal one with a chain for the special occasion.
Step5
Tuck a Skean Dhu ("black dagger" in Gaelic) into the top of the men's kilt hose. This custom comes from a time when Highlanders wore their weapons openly when they accepted an invitation to someone's house, thereby showing they had nothing to hide.
Step6
Suggest that the men wear ghillies, which are standard Highland footwear.
Step7
Give the men the option of wearing a kilt belt. This should be worn over the kilt instead of through the belt loops.

Parents of the Bride and Groom

Step1
Expect the fathers of the bride and groom to wear kilt outfits.
Step2
Suggest they select semi-dress, which includes either a black jacket or a colored tweed jacket. This is called an argyll outfit.
Step3
Ask the mothers to wear silk or lightweight tartan dresses with plain collars or plain bodices.
Step4
Order the mothers corsages that have a piece of tartan attached.

Tips & Warnings

  • Include tartan ribbons in all of the bouquets.
  • Use tartan to decorate the pew ends and the cake table.
  • Understand that each tartan is unique has its own thread count. A pattern is not officially a tartan unless you can fold it diagonally so that the colors match up exactly.
  • Keep in mind that the wedding party's attire doesn't have to match the groom's.
  • Do a search online for vendors who have the items you need for your wedding.
  • Consider hiring a piper for your ceremony. Some clothing stores can help you arrange for this service.
  • The colorful tartans will be a nice contrast with the bride's simple white dress.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 3/30/2006 Make sure you research your heraldry beforehand, there would be nothing more embarrassing than wearing the tartan of another clan.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Rather than use a tartan ribbon for corsages or buttonholes, try having them made from thistle and/or heather. This is a classier and more traditional Scottish-themed option.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 6/30/2006 I don't know where the tip on dressing the bride in tartan ribbons came from, because no one in Scotland does this/has ever done this.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If your fathers or groom will not wear a kilt or you are not able to rent one, try wearing a tarten tux vest instead

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If your groom refuses to wear a kilt, ditch him. He clearly lacks confidence in his own masculinity and will eventually run off with the best man. There are plenty of real men out there who are proud of who and will cherish you for who you are.

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eHow Article:  How to Dress for a Scottish Wedding

eHow Weddings Editor

eHow Weddings Editor

Category: Weddings

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