A Scottish wedding brings happiness to both families of the bride and groom, one problem that many people will experience when planning a Scottish wedding is where to have the wedding. Many Scottish weddings have taken place in castles before, which really highlights the phrase Scottish castle wedding. But when you plan your wedding it is nice to have it somewhere different from the rest. Well, for an outsider it is a strange venue, but for someone living in Scotland it is a common place to have a Scottish wedding.
It isn't a tradition to have a Scottish wedding in a castle. These Scottish castle weddings happen because the bride and groom wanted a Scottish castle wedding just like all the other couples that have wanted Scottish castle weddings. But it is a small figure of people that do choose to get married in a castle with the figure being only 5% so it is a rarity to be invited to a castle wedding.
The traditions that take place for a Scottish wedding start with the engagement party. An engagement party can be held at the parents' home with both sets of parents present or they could go and celebrate at a night club with inviting the guests of their choice. If they can book the village hall then that is also a good place to have the celebrations with the whole village if they wish.
Next up is the eve of the wedding. The "stag" party that the groom goes to is more of an embrassement ritual then a good time. The groom gets pranks done to him, which happens all over the world just before a wedding, however in Scotland some "good humoured" grooms may wake up in the morning laying in a bath tub full of water with his legs smeared in grease, soot and ashes. A not so good way to start the wedding day, although these rituals are said to guarantee good fortune in his future marriage.
The "hen" night that the bride attends is usually just as prank filled as the "stag" night. The bride is usually dressed up by her friends with streamers and balloons being the fashion choice, the bride is then covered with soot and flour and is paraded through the local streets, walking to the noise of rattling cans, clanking pots and whistles and bells going off in all directions. Many "hen" nights result in a financial profit due to the chamber pot that is carried by the bride's friends, well wishers throw a coin into the pot for good luck. The funds raised go towards the wedding feast.
The average Scottish wedding will consist of up to three bridesmaids with of course a flower girl. There is usually a page boy at a Scottish wedding who is always very young. The page boy will give the bride a lucky silver horse shoe just as she is stepping out of the church. Of course there is also a piper who will lead the newlywed couple from the church to the waiting car. When the car starts to move, the groom can throw a pile of silver coins out the window of the car which the children at the wedding can pick up.
The average Scottish wedding will begin at about 4pm which will be followed by a reception and then a formal meal. A champagne toast and speech will begin at about 5pm and then the new couple can dance the night away from 7:30pm.