Scotland has a long and wonderful tradition of being involved in weddings. The Scottish wedding dress is a symbol of pride, love, and cultural heritage for centuries. Iconic colours and jackets, sacred adornments and classic dress of Scottish weddings express family and culture as much as personal style.
Here are the different types of traditional Scottish wedding attire for women and men, but also full choices when it comes to colours and designs. In this edition, we take a closer look at the elements of the traditional Scottish wedding dress that remain in use and how they have changed over time while holding on to their cultural credentials.
Kilt: The Heart of Groom Wear
The kilt, like the one above from Gretna Green, is the most iconic piece of clothing for the groom and his attendants at a traditional Scottish wedding. A kilt is not merely an article of clothing; it is a highly emotional piece, frequently created from the groom’s clan tartan, a distinctive pattern representing his family name and passed down through countless generations. It is a symbol of the clan having its own tartan design, where such designs represent many clans historically and show the derivation of their weavers.
The kilt, usually in wool and deep pleated at the back to fall just below-knee length lends a suave masculinity to your attire. It dates back to the 16th century, when Highlanders from Scotland wore it as both clothing and weather protection. Today the kilt continues to play a part in demonstrating pride and is typically at the very heart of what a groom will wear.
Parts of a kilt outfit
Sporran: A sporran is a huge purse which is worn around the waist, as kilts do not have pockets. Often made from leather or fur, it acts as a piece of decoration but also serves a purpose becoming part of the groom’s outfit.
Belt and Buckle: A wide belt having a conical or ornate buckle that one wears over the kilt to both secure it in place and add a hint for formality.
London Brogues Kilt Hose with Flashes: Knee high socks, known as kilt hose, are worn with the kilt and flashes are coloured ribbons to hold them in place that usually match the tartan colours.
Ghillie brogues: high leather shoes with long laces that wrap around the ankles, finish with a knot to keep your feet in place.
Sgian Dubh: A small decorative knife historically secreted in the sock, representing the spirit of the Highlander warrior.
Traditional Scottish Dress of the Bride
While the kilt is often what leaps to mind when considering traditional Scottish wedding wear (we all know that image of a groom in full regalia), the bride’s gown conveys its own elegance and also a great deal of historical significance. Modern brides today wear white gowns, but for those who want to celebrate a spot of Scottish tradition with their modern look, the opportunity is there.
White Dress with Tartan Adornments
A tartan sash is one of the most popular ways for Scottish brides to show off their tartan. This is usually in the form of a tartan sash or shawl, draped over one shoulder or worn around the waist. Groom: The tartan of the groom’s clanFamily Tartan The Family Tartan Bride : She can pick her own family lace burberry or wear the same tartan as that of the groom to display unity
The Arisaid
In the past, Tartan was also worn by Highland women: they wore it in the form of a much longer ago which became known as an Arisaid. Today it is rarely worn, but an Arisaid can make a lovely wedding accessory for a bride who will be married in the cold and next to castles or estates reminiscent of Scotland. It wraps around the body and you fasten it off with a knitting pin or something of the sort, making it both practical and elegant.
The Tartan Shawl or Plaid
Another traditional addition to the bride’s wedding ensemble is a plaid or shawl in the family tartan of her clan. Usually this is some kind of basic but fine looking ornament; an object that acts as a bridge between her family and her newly married life, often representing the union of two families. Traditionally, the tartan shawl can even be passed down as an heirloom so it becomes a unique piece that can also be worn by future generations.
Clan brooches and pins: symbol jewellery
Jewellery is an important part of a Scottish wedding outfit, similarly the use of clan brooches and pins. A kilt pin or brooch for grooms may feature the family crest or a symbol significant to the family history. Actually, these pins are not just ornamental but are a piece of history in themselves adding just another layer to the narrative that makes up the whole day.
Therefore, brides will generally wear a Celtic brooch or a Luckenbooth brooch. The Luckenbooth is a traditional Scottish brooch, often heart-shaped and fashioned in silver or other precious metals. Traditionally, it was attached to the veil or dress of the bride and was thought to bring good luck and fertility.
What Gets Done with the Tartan
Tartan is not just an element of the clothing, often it is a pivotal part of the wedding ceremony itself. The Priest ties the hands of both bride and groom using a strip of tartan cloth in a practice known as handfasting. This is a Celtic tradition of yesteryear, it signifies two people and their family lineages coming together as one.
In the ceremony, the bride might put on a tartan sash to symbolise her brand-new married standing. The sash, which the bride wears on her shoulder, is pinned by the groom’s family as a tradition to welcome the bride to their family.
Modern Variation of the Traditional Dress
These go with something of what are now by many Korean-American quirkiness them, your then a the chance transported to understand your wedding; however Oils not key. Since then, brides in particular have begun to move towards the modern whilst still respecting tradition with a tastefully placed piece of tartan on their full white wedding gown; for grooms this means more contemporary jackets or accessories rather less trews!
Most brides choose a modern designer gown, but layer on a piece of vintage family jewellery or have a tartan sash or wear the traditional tartan wrap for the reception to stay warm.
They may also choose to match the rest of the wedding colour palette, or at times, the groom has been known to suit up in very non-traditional colours. These personalised touches enable couples to stay true to their roots while showcasing their tastes.
Conclusion
More than a lovely dress, a traditional Scottish wedding gown pays homage to hundreds of years of tradition that bind couples to their roots. The culture and history behind Scottish wedding fashion will make your outfit choice much more special, Whether you decide to go for a full traditional ensemble or are looking at some of the more modern takes on Scottish bridal fashion with a little hint of tartan.
From Tartan, family heirlooms, Auld Langs Syne and the eternal kilt,it was a way that both bride and groom could acknowledge their heritage, where he came from and all those who had lived before them in whose footsteps they now tread as they embarked on making history together.
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