Celtic Wedding Guide

Plan Your Celtic Wedding

Congratulations! Your special day will be here before you know it. There is a lot to think about and a lot to plan, but don’t panic. It’s not difficult to have a beautiful day, full of old world Celtic tradition, meaning and beauty. Here’s how!

For the Groom

Determining what the groom will wear for a kilted wedding is not as hard as you might think. After his outfit is designed, the rest of the details of the wedding are very flexible. First consider how formal the wedding will be. Will the wedding be a traditional, black tie formal evening affair? In a church? Or will it be casual or rustic? For a complete break-down, read below...
 
Whats the best kilt for my wedding?

  • Eight-yard kilt - An Heirloom Kilt. 8-yard kilts have the best swing when you walk, and look the most impressive.
  • Five-yard kilt - A "Day kilt" which was standard until the Victorians invented eight yard. Still looks great, just not as much "swish" when you walk or dance. A good option for warmer climates.

How do I complete My Kilt Outfit?
  • A Prince Charlie Jacket & Vest  - Paired with a bow tie is good for a formal black tie affair such as an evening wedding, church wedding, Scottish castle wedding, etc. The Prince Charlie is essentially the Scottish tuxedo. A Fly Plaid is a good option for this look.
  • An Argyll Jacket & Vest  - Paired with a ruche tie is a bit more formal where pairing it with a standard necktie makes it the equivalent of a nice suit. It’s good for formal or semi-formal weddings, perhaps a Victorian-themed wedding. It is also a very versatile jacket, which you can wear to other events, years after you’ve said your vows.


For more information about the groom, click here to see our Celtic Weddings for the Groom Guide

For the Bride

Every bride is unique and has their own idea of the perfect wedding. Your mother may have had the ultimate romantic fairytale wedding and you may want exactly the same...or not. You may want to follow strict tradition....or not. What really matters in the end is what will make this wedding special for YOU. The good news is it is easy to build true Celtic tradition into your plans and your look.
 
Figuring out the Groom

  • As you start the process of buying your wedding gown, hiring a photographer and a caterer and all that, the last thing you may want to think about is what your intended is going to wear. After all, the main garment of the day is your dress, right? [Read More]

Celtic Wedding Gowns are Not Just White.
  • As a Celtic bride, you do not have to limit yourself to white. In Ireland the traditional ancient bridal dress color was actually blue up until the 15th century. Blue stood for purity and fidelity. Today this tradition is preserved in the “something blue” custom and can be anything from the bridal veil to the flowers or a garter. If having a blue themed gown appeals to you, do a some searches on [Read More]


For a complete guide for Celtic Brides, click here for our Celtic Wedding Guide for the Bride

Celtic Wedding Traditions

For a Scottish, Irish, Welsh or other kilted wedding, there are a large number of traditions you can incorporate to make the day more unique from songs and foods to vows and wedding bands. We’ve written extensive guides / articles (feel free to bookmark them or print them out to refer back to them) on the following topics about Celtic and Gaelic Wedding Traditions.
 

  • How to do a handfasting ceremony
    As romantic as it is timeless, the hand-fasting is an ancient Irish marriage ritual which began in pagan times and was never abandoned. How do you make a hand fasting cord? How do you perform a handfasting and when? What sort of vows go along with it?
  • How to hire a bagpiper
    Who doesn't want to be piped in to their wedding by an authentic Scottish bagpiper? But how to hire and coordinate with a professional musician in a wedding context takes some thought. It can also be lots of fun!
  • How to use the Quaich
    What is a quaich and why does it matter? In brief, this is the ancient Scottish cup of welcome and friendship. The quaich can be a central part of your Gaelic wedding as well as a beloved heirloom item.
  • How to add Celtic Customs to your wedding
    Ever wonder why you should wear blue? Or what a Scramble is? Or what the real meaning of the Claddagh or Luckenbooth is? There's lots to get your creative juices flowing!

 
To learn more, click here for our Celtic wedding traditions page

Make Every Detail Special

Planning your wedding is alot of work. There are lots of little details that need to be addressed. Here are some things to think about.
 

  • Celtic Gifts for the Groomsmen
    You can spend a lot or a little on anything from Scottish knives or pocket watches to whisky glasses or Celtic wedding shirts.
  • Celtic Gifts for the Bridesmaids
    The Celtic lands have a rich tradition of elegant jewelry, but you can think outside the gift box too.
  • How Do Want your Wedding Party to Look?
    It's easy to add a bit of Celtic flair to everyone's attire.
  • Celtic Wedding Decoration Ideas
    Your wedding venue will affect how you decorate. But adding an old-world Scottish or Irish feel can be as easy as using tartan cloth and ribbons - either in a family plaid or a tartan you find pleasing to the eye. There's no wrong answer.


For a complete list of suggestions we have to make every detail of your wedding day special, click here.