From the very beginning: I need advice!

[Murray of New Brunswick]

Thanks for your help, here's what we have:

The well-dressed grrom come to the ceremony loaded with:

1. Prince Charlie jacket
2. and vest;
3. fly plaid
4. with a brooch over the left shoulder;
5. tux shirt (whteher with winged collar or not may be a matter of taste )
6. with bowtie,
7. studs and cufflinks;
8. dress sporran (white rabbit fur ?);
9. kilt
10. white hose (only for a wedding - off white or darker for anything else); 11. sgian dubh in the right sock (unless you're left-handed):
12. flashes in either matching tartan or a color that compliments your kilt; 13. ghillie brogues.
14. kilt belt and buckle (?)
15. Buy your bride a matching sash and place it over her right shoulder as part of the ceremony.


OK, so now I have this much knowledge.
Q2: Let's draw out number 10 - the white hose. I understand there' some controversy about this. White hose would be appropraite for the groom to wear, is that correct? But not appropriate for other settings? What other settings, what would be appropriate and why?

Q3: I notice nobody in their list is mentioning any form of undergarment. Is that because they are presuming that such a garment would be worn, or insiting that such a garment should NOT be worn?

[Dreadbelly]

Q3: I notice nobody in their list is mentioning any form of undergarment. Is that because they are presuming that such a garment would be worn, or insiting that such a garment should NOT be worn?

Oh yes, those.

A kilted man to be wed should be wearing a wee lacy garter under his kilt. The bride is to remove this, with her teeth if she is a brave lass, and then launch it in to the cheering crowd as if she was shooting a rubber band.

[Shay]

Juvenile? I thought that was some good advice! Congrats as well to youself and good luck to your bride! Also look into renting, if that hasn't been mentioned, before purchasing, the more formal things you probably won't get much use from. (The jacket, the frilly shirt, etc won't come in as handy down the line as the kilt itself and hose if you don't attend any formal do's.)

I would wear underwear on your wedding day- especially if your altar is any steps up above the crowd- and since you're not a usual kilt-wearer. There's a whole thread on underwear choices here if you want more help on that. I'm sure folks will disagree, but having been to a few wedding receptions, the crowd can get kind of raucous.

[davedove]

Also look into renting, if that hasn't been mentioned, before purchasing, the more formal things you probably won't get much use from.

This is really good advice, especially if you are short of funds, unless of course you want to go ahead and buy the whole outfit. Definitely in vest in the hand tailored kilt, as you will get the most use from that. Unless you plan on attending many formal events, you would probably be better off renting a Prince Charlie jacket, waistcoat, and formal sporran, but again, that's up to you.

As far as underwear, you'll get arguments for and against here on the boards. In my mind, that's a personal choice that only you can make.

[Murray of New Brunswick]

Well, I'll be honest: my whole life I've wanted a kilt but I could never justify the expense. Now that I can, and since I don't own a tuxedo, I plan to make this my choice of formal wear for all important occasions - and perhaps even a few unimportant ones, but at that point I will be investing in some less formal stuff.

I've got the piper and am trying to decide what to enter and exit on, but that's another subject for another day.

[Shay]

Well, I'll be honest: my whole life I've wanted a kilt but I could never justify the expense. Now that I can, and since I don't own a tuxedo, I plan to make this my choice of formal wear for all important occasions - and perhaps even a few unimportant ones, but at that point I will be investing in some less formal stuff.

Fair enough, you'll always stand out in a crowd that way! However, a teensy tiny bit of advice- most people lose weight before their wedding from stress, and gain weight after their wedding, too. I guess it's the more regular meals. (Or in my case, my husband's meatloaf, bastard that he is!) It's another reason for renting some things, especially close-fitting ones.

I'm going to go hold my wedding dress up to myself later and just laugh and laugh at the thought I had when I bought it that, "If I just take off the train, I'll have an evening gown!" I was married two years ago and had a 28 inch waist. Now it's 32. Alright, 34. Alright... I have an elastic tape measure. But my point here is don't expect everything to still fit for years and years down the line. We get older, our bodies change, even if it's not fat, but just shape.

[davedove]

Well, I'll be honest: my whole life I've wanted a kilt but I could never justify the expense. Now that I can, and since I don't own a tuxedo, I plan to make this my choice of formal wear for all important occasions - and perhaps even a few unimportant ones, but at that point I will be investing in some less formal stuff.

Good plan. I can hear it now "But honey, I spent so much money on the kilt, I really should get some use out of it."

[M. A. C. Newsome]

On the subject of rentals -- I agree that this is an option for a lot of men. You can rent the kilt and the jacket separately from most places. Obviously you want to buy your own kilt. Many men want to buy their own kilt for their wedding, because they plan on wearing it to many occasions later on, but not necesarily formal occasions. So they buy the kilt, and rent the jacket. If you plan on wearing your kilt to lots of formal occasions, go ahead and buy the jacket, too. It will save you money in the long run.

Regarding the belt, you write:

14. kilt belt and buckle - strictly speaking maybe not with a Prince Charlie but the outfit may not look complete without it

If you wear a vest (and I see you have one listed) I strongly advise you not to wear the belt. Reason is that the vest is likely to cover half or more of your belt, and a bit of belt poking out from under your vest just looks goofy. :-) You very well may want to buy a belt and have it for those occasions when you are not wearing a vest, but for this occasion I say leave it off.

Regarding the kilt, you write:

9. kilt - 8 yards and handmade for good quality

And...

Q5: Does it matter if the kilt is 13 oz or 16 oz?

I will say first that it doesn't really matter if the kilt is 8 yards or not. I got married in a four-yard box pleated kilt. What matters is the quality of construction and material. You want it hand made, and you want it of good kilting weight wool.

In general the recommendation for an 8 yard kilt is good advice. This is because most all of your 8 yard kilts are going to be hand stitched, top quality items. Most of the 4 yard kilts you see offered today are machine stitched, and just not made with the same care and construction that goes into an 8 yard kilt. This is because they are being made as less-expensive "casual" kilts. But as I have said in another thread, the hallmark of a good kilt is that it is neither formal nor casual, but can be worn either way depending upon accessories. I wore a four-yard box pleated kilt to my wedding, hand made for me by Wanda McSwain, with semi-formal accessories, and looked great.

About kilt weight -- I always advise people to get the heaviest weight they can afford. A 10 oz weight cloth makes an ok 8 yard kilt. I wouldn't touch it for a 4 yard kilt. A 13 oz weight cloth makes an ok 4 yard kilt, and a perfectly fine 8 yard kilt. A 16 oz weight cloth makes a great kilt, of any kind. It's the premiere stuff. Of course, the heavier weights generaly cost a bit more, which is why I say get the heaviest weight you can afford.

Aye,
Matt

[Bob C]

Q2: Let's draw out number 10 - the white hose. I understand there' some controversy about this. White hose would be appropraite for the groom to wear, is that correct? But not appropriate for other settings? What other settings, what would be appropriate and why?

Q3: I notice nobody in their list is mentioning any form of undergarment. Is that because they are presuming that such a garment would be worn, or insiting that such a garment should NOT be worn?

Q2 - Controversy is too strong a word. It's really just a matter of taste. As for "what other settings," once you have a kilt, you'll want to wear it for all sorts of things! I have not worn my tux since I got my kilt. If it's a formal occasion, Bob will be kilted. There are also Burns Nights, Kirkin' o' the Tartan, Scottish games and more. Those are the things I typically wear mine for. Some guys on this board wear kilts every day. Of course, you need a whole different set of accessories for different occasions. Shopping for that stuff is part ofthe fun.

Q3: No one will insist that you wear undergarments or not. Take my choice not to list them for what you will. If you DO choose to wear something beneath, wear something dark, so it won't show so badly when you do the Highland Fling at your wedding! :grin:

[Bob C]

D'oh! I forgot about the kilt pin. Thanks, Matt, for the reminder.

I wear a pewter one, most of the time. It goes through the outer apron ONLY, about three inches up from the hem and three inches in from the edge of the apron.

There are endless varieties of kilt pins. Pick a nice one for your wedding.

I assume you've lined up a piper!