Scotland is a fabulous wedding location, with stunning scenery, picturesque venues and centuries of culture that include a good few Scottish wedding traditions. It has a bustling wedding industry, and you can get pretty comprehensive packages that cover the whole big day. Now, as comprehensive as things are, there are a few things that you have to keep in mind when planning your Scottish wedding.
Here are a few things that you need to know before going ahead with your wedding in Scotland.
A Lot Of Venues In Scotland Are Remote
Venues in Scotland are old, historic, beautiful, and filled with green space; they are a stunning place to tie the knot. It’s also worth keeping in mind that many will require a bit of driving to get to. This is especially the case if you have a few non-drivers coming along. A good few are so remote that public transport will get you close, but still a good 20-30 minute walk away.
Thankfully, most venues have good relationships with local coach companies, so it’s pretty easy to organise pickup from the airport or the nearest hotel. Once you’ve picked a venue, have a look at its transport links, and ask about coaches if it’s looking remote.
You’ll Need A ‘Plan B’ For Any Outdoor Activities
It’s Scotland. You cannot assume that the weather will be good. It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of July; temperate weather is NOT guaranteed, so make sure you have a backup plan for any outdoor activities.
Get On Top Of Hotel Bookings Fast
Hotels sell out quickly in Scotland. If you’re planning a big wedding, there can be some availability, but book it well in advance. You’d be surprised how quickly accommodation becomes unavailable. Also, before you lock into the Airbnb route, consider that a lot of areas in the country are looking at restrictions on short-term rentals, so it’s likely safer to book a hotel.
Glasgow Airport Is Not In Glasgow
It is in Paisley, a satellite town. There are lots of buses going to and from the airport, and they typically run every 20 minutes – but be sure to factor this in. You would be surprised how many people you will find in Linwood (the area where the airport is) or Paisley looking to get to the city centre on foot. That would be a 3-hour walk!
There Are Scottish Wedding Ceremony traditions That You Can Include
Okay, with housekeeping out the way, we can now look at some of the fun stuff that you can factor into your Scottish wedding. With ancient roots, there is a lot of culture and cultural traditions which you can implement into your wedding to give it a distinctly Scotch twist.
Here are some very popular ones:
Wedding Quaich
Drinking from the Quaich (also known as the ‘love cup’) involves filling a small bowl with whisky. It is sipped by both the bride and the groom, symbolising their love for each other. A proper Scotch Quaich deserves a proper Scotch that you know you both like.
Why not order some miniatures beforehand and see what you both enjoy? There are lots of local retailers that deliver internationally, so you can get an idea of the different notes and profiles to make sure you have the perfect single malt for the perfect day. Similarly, you can get a customised quaich with bespoke messages engraved or a special design.
The Gay Gordons
This isn’t for the wedding ceremony itself. Instead, the Gay Gordons will be performed at the reception. If you have Scottish guests, they will know this dance – it’s often taught at schools.
It’s quite straightforward, and there are lots of online guides to teach you the basic steps. Get practising!
Handfasting
This is a Celtic ceremony in which a couple’s hands are bound together with a ribbon, cord, or cloth in a figure-eight pattern. It is supposed to symbolise their union, with the figure-eight being used to show the eternal nature of their commitment.
This is hardly scratching the surface, with traditions being broad in some cases and specific to certain clans in others.
You Might Have A Family Tartan!
If you have decided to wed because you have Scottish family heritage, there is a good chance that your family has its very own tartan, which the groom can wear as a kilt or the bride as a gown or ribbon. Don’t forget to add the Sgian Dubh, the ceremonial knife that typically lives in the groom’s sock.
Most Importantly: Make The Most Of Your Trip
Scotland makes for a wonderful wedding and honeymoon destination. While your wedding will no doubt be among the best days of your life, you should consider seeing some of the sights that the country has to offer. Whether it’s a day trip before the wedding, a night out soon after, or working your honeymoon into the days and weeks that follow, there is a lot to be done.
From the historic cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen to the lochs in the north and the picturesque western isles, you have picked a great place to wed – so make the most of your trip and your big day!
IF YOU ARE GETTING WED IN SCOTLAND, SAVE THIS FOR LATER!
Photographer Camilla Reynolds Photography @camillareynoldsphoto
This is a collaborative post
