The Scottish Wedding

[Prester John]

From another location on the forum - I thought I'd better post this is an appropriate place...

Just returned from a Scottish Wedding...

Actually the 'wedding' was an awful eclectic mess of pagan/wicca make-it-up-yourself stuff and a few legit traditions, all by a hire-a-minister off the net, who took care that "God" was never mentioned either by name or implicitly anywhere...all this in a "chapel" to give it a good religious feel...Someone did mention God at the wedding. My mother-in-law, at the end of it all said "Oh my God!" Sorry, I digress.

We showed up at the chapel, my wife of 21 years unbelievably beautiful in her black velvet dress with Robertson Red plaid pinned to her shoulder, and me and the boys in our kilt tuxes.

No one knew we were coming kilted until we arrived - including my father-in-law (we were at their house) who was very happy to see us that way.

My boys wore them to church this morning too! What a sight in an Orthodox Church!

And they are still in them right now. Even planning to wear them tomorrow for Labor day; hey, it's Kilt day, y'know!

They go back shortly, and we'll miss them. My thanks to Scotland Yard for their excellent service! I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a rental in the upper Midwest.

As I said earlier, I guess I know what everyone wants for Christmas this year.

[Archangel]

the truly Scottish weddings were done by blacksmiths on the Scottish side of the border countries. It was a pleasant combination of faith and pagan based on the skill of a smith joining two pieces of metal by making them one by forging = welding=wedding.
It was legal method for a time.

[Prester John]

Indeed, this custom, going to the smithy, was considered legit for non-ecclesiastical weddings up until the 19th century, I'm told by people who know such things.

Pagan pastorettes, well, that's another thread altogether.

[macwilkin]

the truly Scottish weddings were done by blacksmiths on the Scottish side of the border countries. It was a pleasant combination of faith and pagan based on the skill of a smith joining two pieces of metal by making them one by forging = welding=wedding.
It was legal method for a time.

Aye, at Gretna Green, the Scottish Las Vegas! :mrgreen:

Even today, the bride is sometimes given a decorated horseshoe as a symbol of good luck because of the blacksmith's ability to "change" metal. We have one hanging above our thresh hold -- with the points going up, of course, to keep the luck from running out! :mrgreen:

T.

[Archangel]

Aye, at Gretna Green, the Scottish Las Vegas! :mrgreen:

T.

not too commercialized, ooh, hepmakiltlookithat: http://www.gretnaweddings.co.uk/www/index.php

[Graham]

I've said before that I wish I'd known about kilts when I was married 28 years ago.
Knowing what i know now, if I were married it would be a Christian Wedding with a very strong Scottish flavour.

I have a daughter being married in an outdoor setting, (a Christian service) next Feb. I shall at least wear the kilt there as I give away my beautiful daughter. I'm trying to get the groom into a kilt, unsuccessful so far.

[Prester John]

Graham

If you are the father of the bride, simply say it will be a Scottish Wedding (since you are paying for it!) and require what you will - groom only, groom and groomsmen, or everyone (something tartan - ties, bowties, sashes, rosettes, etc)

You may find that folks actually like to prepare for such an event.

I find that "Dressing up" for even a formal wedding has generally gone down the toilet. Give people an excuse to do it up right, and they'll surprise you. A friend of mine celebrated a wedding recently and it was a Civil War themed wedding. Not only the bridal party, but everyone was dressed in period attire.

He said it was the most wonderful wedding he has ever done. And he's a Romanian Orthodox priest!

Whatever you decide will work - so you decide!

[Shay]

Actually the 'wedding' was an awful eclectic mess of pagan/wicca make-it-up-yourself stuff and a few legit traditions, all by a hire-a-minister off the net, who took care that "God" was never mentioned either by name or implicitly anywhere...all this in a "chapel" to give it a good religious feel...

That's not odd- if it was a pagan ceremony, they probably wouldn't mention the Judeochristian God any more than a Jewish wedding would mention Jesus or a Christian ceremony mention Vishnu. (sp?) People of all faiths get married in their own way. Come to a Quaker wedding sometime- you'll be bored to tears! Alright, maybe not, but the point is it's the meaning, not the form.

Still, I'm glad you had a good time at the reception, and you and your family looked good.

[Prester John]

My apologies in advance for not making this clearer.

It was not supposed to be a pagan wedding. It just ended up that way.

The folks didn't know/recognize what was happening until it was over. Disappointing for all.

Like you said, Shay, at least we had fun at the reception, and we all looked good. Here are the pics.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frjohn...74.jpg&.src=ph

[Archangel]

My apologies in advance for not making this clearer.

It was not supposed to be a pagan wedding. It just ended up that way.

The folks didn't know/recognize what was happening until it was over. Disappointing for all.

Like you said, Shay, at least we had fun at the reception, and we all looked good. Here are the pics.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frjohn...74.jpg&.src=ph

so that is a bit clearer and fairer, althought to be honest, I hadn't really picked up on that aspect until Shay pointed it out. I should know better.

Family looked very good. The rentals did you proud, quite often there is "overkill" but not in your case. (note: I don't care what Doc Hudson says, don't give that older lady on the steps, in the family group picture, a gun. I'm scared already and I'm in another country.)