Do
you have Scottish heritage? Even if you don't, do you want a wedding that
not just yourselves, but your friends and family will
talk about for years?
You do? Then
a ceremony based on an ancient Scottish wedding ceremony
is what you need. Of course, the ceremony revolves around
the skirl of the pipes. I am convinced the ancient Scots
really did know how to have a marriage ceremony; nothing
like the boring event that the typical Australian wedding
has become.
Photography by Precious Memories |
| Nigel and Linda swear their vows over The Stone |
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in new window |
The
ancient Scottish weddings were events of great gaiety.
The entire village was involved and so where the pipers.
By the time the bridal couple made it to the village church,
everyone was walking with them. And so was every piper
in the village. What a time great jollity were the marriages
of old, true celebrations of happiness and joy at the
event.
I have taken the village walk concept and integrated it
into my Scottish ceremony in a most interesting way. The
result is awesome, as the piper and the celebrant lead
the bridal party and the guests down to the actual place
of marriage.
The presentation of the bride by her father
is different; the traditional "who gives this woman
in marriage?" is a relic of the "olde dayes" of England,
where a woman was the chattel of her father, about to
be transferred to the chattellage of her husband. Not
so in Scotland, where, under their Celtic heritage, men
and women were equal.
The quaiff, a pewter drinking
mug that is used as the loving cup |
Call me at
philip.greentree |
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| The piper has led the procession into the ceremony, now he is paid in the Highland tradition - with a wee dram of whiskey! |
- Rounding up the Guests,
- Bridal vehicle piped in,
- The groom greets his bride,
- The "Village Walk"led by piper,
- The Cellebrant's Challenge,
- Pay the Piper
- The Introduction
- Caim,
- The anam chara - soul friend's,
- The Special Readings,
- Washing & Blessing of the rings,
- Celtic Asking & Ring Exchange,
- Optional Combined sword and chalice ring exchange and asking ritual
- Celtic Handfasting,
- Scottish Vows,
- Setting in Stone of the Vows,
- Blessing of the hands,
- Sharing of whiskey from the "lovin cup",
- Ringing of the
Bell of Truce,
- Jumping the Besom,
- Pinning the Tartan,
- Presentation of the Sword,
- Declaration with Sword Fasting
- The Signing,
- The Presentation of married couple,
- The Arch of Crossed Swords,
Leon & Liz at St Patrick's, Nulkaba - Photographer Chris Elfes
Handfasting is integral
to the ceremony |
Philip has access
to a selection of excellent pipers he has worked with in Sydney, The Southern Highlands, the Hunter Valley-Newcastle-Port Stephens, and Port Macquarie areas. They are all experienced at
piping for weddings. They will meet with you to assist
in your selection of music for your day. |
Ancient Scottish Ceremonies 
