Tartan and Your Wedding

Scottish weddings have more traditions than any other and these quirky features are what makes your day special and unique. We love a good wedding here at ScotlandShop and enjoy nothing more than helping you to add a touch of tartan to your Big Day. With over 500 tartans to choose from whether you are paying homage to your family heritage or simply matching your chosen colour scheme, we are sure to be able to help you find the perfect check.

One of the biggest traditions we see people take part in is Handfasting, an ancient Celtic ritual, today used at many a marriage ceremony, whereby the hand of the groom is bound to the hand of the bride. There are many different ways that this is carried out but ultimately the ceremony exists to symbolise the joining together of two lives. In response to many customer requests we offer custom made Tartan Handfasting Ribbons in single tartans or combining 2 different tartans if you are bringing together two clans.

If you would like to find out more about Handfasting you can visit our Tartan Wedding Traditions interview with celebrant Fiona Flanagan, and if you are in Edinburgh pop into our shop on Queensferry Street to see a sample Handfasting ribbon for yourself.

Choosing a wedding dress may be the most important clothing decision a woman will ever make, but let's not forget that this is also the most important day of the Groom's life! There are many options for the groom from a kilt to a suit or tails - and that’s before you even start to look at the multitude of variations of tartans and tweeds!

In Scotland, traditionally men will wear their family tartan or a tartan of significance to them, such as their district or regimental tartan. However, today many Grooms are selecting tartans to fit within a theme to match in with bridesmaid dresses, stationary and a whole host of other elements. We have a round up of our top 2022 colour and style picks to help inspire your wedding day outfit!

The most obvious and traditional choice for a Scottish wedding is the kilt. Despite being worn by many men to many different occasions, the kilt outfit can look very different depending how it is styled – from the very traditional complete with ancestral links, to the modern and fashion-forward! The kilt itself can be worn in a family tartan to represent your Scottish heritage, or it can be made in a more contemporary tartan to suit the region you met your partner, or in a colour to match the venue or colour scheme. The options are endless!

If a suit is more your style, a tailored three-piece will always be a classic option for your wedding day. To update this timeless look, go for a tartan jacket and trousers in a slim fit style, and pair with a double-breasted waistcoat in a contemporary tartan. Have your wedding date embroidered into the jacket’s lining, and add all the personal touches you like from a wacky lining, to alternative buttons or pocket styles.

The wedding party can be part of your theme with waistcoats or ties and pocket squares to match. And for the ladies? So many options, so much so that we have compiled a video guide on What to wear to a Scottish Wedding! Emily will talk you through 5 outfits perfectly suited for wedding celebrations. From a wide variety of styles of dresses, skirts, handbags and shoes, all made with your tartan of choice, so you can look the part or stand out!

Worried about measuring? We offer exclusive appointments in our Edinburgh shop where our staff can show you swatches of all the tartans, take your measurements and help you with styling choices. A simple accessory like a sash can be worn many ways! And if you can’t make it in store we can also go through the same process on a video call. Book your virtual appointment here.

So what you are you waiting for? Peruse the tartan finder and add those special touches of Scottish heritage to your big day.

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