Added: 01/13/2006 |
Scottish weddingsOn the eve of the wedding the groom holds a Stag party. At this party the custom of feet-washing still persists, though only on the groom’s permit. The ritual involves the groom sitting in a tub of water, while his chums pull off his stockings and smear his legs with a mixture of grease, soot and ashes. This is meant to guarantee good fortune in the future marriage.
The Hen’s night for the bride takes place at the same time with the Stag party. The lady is dressed up by her friends, festooned with streamers and balloons, and paraded through the streets to the accompaniment of rattling cans, clanking pots and pans, whistles and bells. Often the bride’s friends carry a chamber pot in which well-wishers throw a coin for good luck. This is used to raise funds for the wedding feast.
Usually about a week before the wedding the mother of the bride holds a show of presents for her daughter. This corresponds to the bridal shower in other cultures. While the guests are studying the presents, the mother serves tea and cakes.
One custom that hasn’t changed for more than 700 years is the custom of the newly fledged husband, carrying his wife over the threshold of their home. Today husbands may have forgotten that the custom originated to keep evil spirits from entering his wife through her feet, but the custom is performed nevertheless.
The average Scottish wedding has up to three bridesmaids with a flower girl and kilted pageboy usually about the age of three. The task of the pageboy is to present a silver horseshoe to the bride as she steps out of the church.
At many Scottish weddings the piper is on hand to lead the couple from the church to the waiting car. As the car moves away, the groom may throw a pile of silver coins out of the car window to be gathered by the expectant children.
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