"I wanted to write you a note and let anyone who may be reading this that is thinking about having as close to an authentic Scottish wedding as possible without flying to Scotland, that your service truly made our wedding a once in a lifetime experience.  As you know being that my father is from Glasgow I wanted to follow in the tradition and make him proud.

Thanks to your input concerning Scottish wedding tradition ( i.e. vows, wedding apparel and ceremony customs) you truly made the wedding a hit. I could not believe how impressed my friends were telling me it was by far the best wedding they have ever attended.  They specifically mentioned that you gave it that extra special touch which I couldn't agree more with. 

Several couples we talked to said they thought they were in Scotland for a few moments there! If you want your wedding to be as special and as close to tradition as it comes have Paul be your Officiant you will not be sorry. 

Oh! and he knows a thing or two about Scotch just ask him. 

Tacey and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Cheers Paul and thanks again.

Blair and Tacey"

 

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Handfasting

There is some historical discrepancy as to whether the "Handfasting" was originally meant to be a betrothal or a genuine marriage.  It is claimed to be a holdover from pre-Christian Celtic marriage laws.

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Then - A priest or minister wrapped the couples hands in the end of his robe to symbolize the Trinity of marriage--the man and woman joined by God.

 

Now - The couples hands are wrapped using a specially made cord or embroidered cloth, often of clan tartans. If both are Scottish then both tartans are entwined to symbolize the joining of the clans.

 

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Handfasting Ceremony

Do you, < >, take < > to be your wife, 

To be her constant friend, 

her partner in life, and her true love?

To love her without reservation, 

honor and respect her, 

protect her from harm, 

comfort her in times of distress, 

and to grow with her in mind and spirit?

 

Do you, < >, take > >to be your husband, 

To be his constant friend, 

his partner in life, and his true love?

To love him without reservation, 

honor and respect him, 

protect him from harm, 

comfort him in times of distress, 

and to grow with him in mind and spirit?

 

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Handfasting Ceremony - Blessing

In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. 

Communication of the heart, mind, and body 

Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. 

The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. 

Warmth of and home hearth

The heat of the heart's passion 

The light created by both to illuminate the darkest of times.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. 

The deep commitments of the lake The swift excitement of the river 

The refreshing cleansing of the rain 

The passion of the sea.all encompassing

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North 

Firm foundation on which to build 

Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives

A stable home to which you may always return.

Each of these blessings emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union. 

Yet they are only tools.

Tools which you must use together in order to create what you seek in this union.

 

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Family Tartan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every Scottish clan, or Celtic clan, has their own family tartan. Traditionally the groom pins a "plaid" or sash of his family tartan on his bride after the exchange of rings. This symbolizes the bride joining her husband's clan.

 

Luckenbooth Brooch

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A traditional Scottish wedding brooch, given to the bride by the groom on their wedding day, and subsequently pinned to the shawl of the first baby to protect it from "evil spirits".

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Dirk

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Dagger, usually provided by the Piper, used by the bride to cut the cake. The bride's hand is guided by the groom.

 

 

 

Heather

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Traditional flower (Preferably White) used in the bridal bouquet (and on Grooms lapel) as a lucky omen. It can also be dried and kept as a keepsake over the years.

 

Horse Shoe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Symbol for luck. Sometimes worn on the bride's arm, or a page might deliver one to the bride as she arrives at the chapel for the ceremony. 

 

 

Scramble

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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"The Scramble".  Old tradition of the groom throwing a handful of coins to children, this can be done when leaving home for the church or at the church. Custom says it that this token will be constantly returned to the bride and groom throughout the marriage.

 

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​Sixpence

 

 

 

 

 

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Traditionally the bride has an old silver sixpence in her shoe for good luck.

 

Some other symbolic traditions include:

--the husband gives the wife wheat to provide for our home

--the wife gives the husband some woven cloth to provide for our home

--the husband gives a dagger for the defense of our home

--the wife gives a Bible for the spiritual defense of our home

 

Toast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Quaichs are often incorporated into wedding ceremonies, sometimes the newly married couple may hold the quaich for each other while they take a drink (often whisky) to symbolize their love and togetherness or perhaps the couple might pass the quaich around the wedding party as an acknowledgment of the part they played in the wedding.

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Gaelic Phrases of Love

Gráim thú - I Love You 

A Grá - My Love 

Anam Cara - Soul Friend (soul mate) 

A - Darling stor

Grá mo Chroí - Love of my heart 

Leannán - Lover 

Mo grá - My love to you thu

Tugaim mo chroí - I give my heart to you forever duit go deo

Go síoraí - Eternally

Le grá go - With love forever deo

Gráím thú (I love you)

Tá grá (I have love for you)agam duit

Táim (I’m in love with you)i ngrá leat

Ádhraím thú (I adore you)
 

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Traditional Celtic Weddings Vow

Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone. 

I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One. 

I give ye my Spirit, `til our Life shall be Done. 

You cannon possess me for I belong to myself 

But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give 

You cannot command me, for I am a free person 

But I shall serve you in those ways you require 

and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.

 

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Traditional Celtic Weddings Vow

I vow you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine, 

from this day it shall only be your name I cry out in the night 

and into your eyes that I smile each morning; 

I shall be a shield for your back as you are for mine, 

nor shall a grievous word be spoken about us, 

for our marriage is sacred between us and no stranger shall hear my grievance. 

Above and beyond this, I will cherish and honor you through this life 

and into the next.

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Traditional Celtic Weddings Vow

“I pledge my love to you, and everything that I own.

I promise you the first bite of my meat and the first sip from by cup.

I pledge that your name will always be the name I cry aloud in the dead of night.

I promise to honor you above all others.

Our love is never-ending, and we will remain, forevermore, equals in our marriage.

This is my wedding vow to you.”

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Traditional Celtic Weddings Blessing

May God go with you and bless you, 

May you see your children`s children, 

May you be poor in misfortune and rich in blessings, 

May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward. 

May joy and peace surround you both, 

Contentment latch your door, 

And happiness be with you now And God Bless you ever more. 

May you live your life with trust, And nurture lifelong affection, 

May your lifelong dreams come true for you,

Move ever that direction,

May the road rise to meet you, 

May the wind be always at your back, 

May the sun shine warm upon your face, 

The rains fall soft upon your fields. 

May the light of friendship guide your paths together, 

May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home. 

May the joy of living for each 

other trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye. 

And when eternity beckons, 

at the end of the life heaped high with love, 

May the good Lord embrace you 

with the arms that have nurtured you 

the whole length of your joy-filled days. 

May the gracious God hold you both 

in the palm of His hands. 

And, today, may the Spirit of Love

find a dwelling place in your hearts.

 

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Medieval Celtic Weddings Ceremony

I, N., take the N to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, for fairer or fouler, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us depart, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my troth.

I N. take N to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to be bonny and buxom at bed and at board, to love and to cherish, till death us depart, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my troth.

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Wedding Vow

By the power that Christ brought from heaven, mast thou love me. 

As the sun follows its course, mast thou me. follow

As light to the eye, as bread to the hungry, as joy to the heart, 

May thy presence be with me, 

Oh one that I love, `til death comes to part us asunder.

 

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Vow of Unity

We swear by peace and love to stand, 

Heart to heart and hand to hand.

Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, 

Confirming this our Sacred Vow

 

 

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Scottish Weddings Prayer

Lord help us to remember when 

We first met and the strong 

love that grew between us. 

To work that love into 

practical things so that nothing 

can divide us. 

We ask for words both kind 

and loving and hearts always 

ready to ask forgiveness 

as well as to forgive. 

Dear Lord, we put our 

marriage into your hands.

 

 

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Celtic Weddings Blessing

Happy is the bride that rain falls on

May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.

May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.

May the saddest day of your future

Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May your hands be forever clasped in friendship

And your hearts joined forever in love.

Your lives are very special,

God has touched you in many ways.

May his blessings rest upon you

And fill all your coming days.

We swear by peace and love to stand,

Heart to heart and hand to hand.

Hark, O Spirit, and hear us now, 

Confirming this our Sacred Vow.

 

 

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A Scottish Weddings Blessing

A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage. May you be healthy all your days. May you be blessed with long life and peace, may you grow old with goodness, and with riches.

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​Flags

 

 

 

 

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Bagpiper

Very popular, used in many weddings, even outside of the Scottish heritage. The Piper most often plays at the arrival or departure. The Piper would be given a "wee dram" in appreciation of his playing.

 

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Practicing the Ceremony

Even if you have been to many weddings, a rehearsal of a large wedding ceremony is crucial.  It helps everyone feel at ease.  Without it, questions will arise in the moments leading up to the ceremony, causing unnecessary anxiety.  The rehearsal should take place at the wedding site.  If you don’t have access to it, it’s a good idea to run through the ceremony elsewhere.  The rehearsal is usually scheduled for the evening before the wedding, to be followed by the rehearsal dinner.  Anyone who has a role in the ceremony should attend the rehearsal.  This includes the entire wedding party, the officiant, readers, parents, and musicians.  If someone can’t be there, make sure he or she is briefed before the wedding.  At the rehearsal, walk through the entire ceremony twice.  Establish pace and timing, and make sure the participants know their proper places and responsibilities.  Rather than recite the actual vows at this time, the bride and groom usually review with the officiant what will be said and when.

 

It was once considered bad luck for the bride to participate in the rehearsal, and a superstitious bride may still prefer to have a relative or friend stand in her place as she watches nearby.  Many brides, however, prefer to take part in the rehearsal. 

Processional

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Just before the processional begins in a Christian Wedding Ceremony, the officiant takes his or her place, with the groom on the officiant’s left, and the best man on the groom’s left, all facing the guests.  The Ushers (groomsmen) may also stand at the front or they may start the procession….walking in pairs.  They are followed by the bridesmaids in single file.  The maid or matron of honor enters next, behind the bridesmaids.  As another option, the Ushers (groomsmen) and bridesmaids can enter together, in pairs, with the best man escorting the honor attendant.  If a ring bearer and a flower girl are in the wedding party, they are the last ones down the aisle before the bride, who is traditionally escorted by her father, on his left arm.  Today a bride often asks her mother to walk down the aisle with them, on her other side.

 

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Recessional

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​In a Christian Wedding Ceremony, as the musicians start the celebratory recessional music, the bride and groom turn to each other, link arms, and walk briskly back up the aisle as husband and wife.  They are followed by the flower girl and the ring bearer, who are followed by the maid or matron of honor and the best man.  Next come the bridesmaids and the ushers (groomsmen) in pairs, with the women on the men’s right arms.  Ushers (groomsmen) should return to assist guests and direct them to the receiving line or reception site. 

 

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Pricing

 

Weddings

Prices start at $750, however, certain details need to be discussed before a final price

can be determined:

 

Such as travel expenses, and accommodation costs if required.

 

I am available to discuss/assist with;

The service (meet with you when needed)

Practice the service (as needed)

Arrange a piper

Supply a Quaich

Provide a rare whisky for your toast

Advise and help acquire any articles of Scottish/Irish/Celtic tradition you may wish to have as part of the service (such as the Hand-fasting cord/band)

 

As well as advising on the wedding ceremony, I am a Whisky ambassador and can ;

Advise on whiskies for the guests and their price points

Whisky & food pairings

Whisky & Cigar pairings

 

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Questions?

 

Please call 530-321-8487 

or 

email me at the link below