View Full Version : can anyone help with a few decoration ideas??
angelic_miri
08-25-2004, 08:17 PM
My fiance and I have decided that he and his groom men will be wearing kilts in his family tartan. He family isn't overly scottish, but we thought this would look really sharp. We'll be taking the colors for our wedding out of the tartan, but I was wondering about ideas for decoration. Should we stay completely with a scottish theme, or would it look ok to mix it up with anything else we like???? Anyway help would be appreicated :confused:
mouchsi
05-27-2005, 01:50 AM
my fiance is second generation scottish, and he, his groomsmen, his grandfather, and his dad (who is also our officiant) are all planning on wearing kilts (all different tartans, as many of our friends are getting them made, but most have blue in them, for a unified look). i am extremely excited about it because it will make our wedding so much more unique.
as for decorations, we plan on carrying a subtle scottish theme through the whole wedding. my fiance's tartan is red, blue and white, so we are focusing on blue and white for our wedding colours (though i plan on carrying a boquet of red roses, and use white flowers - including white heather, which is considered lucky for scottish weddings - for bridesmaids and centrepieces) we are currently searching for cotton printed tartan (considerably cheaper than woven tartan for making kilts) to use as table runners and bows and accents and stuff. i want to have a sash of the same tartan as my fiance as the wrap for my boquet. we are also having a bagpiper pipe the processional, and possibly hiring highland dancers for entertainment during the coctail hour.
in other words, some scottish elements, and subtle hits of tartan here and there to remind people of his scottish heritage. we are also incorporating scottish wedding traditions into the ceremony such as me carrying a silver horseshoe for luck and my fiance is going to wash my feet as a symbol of his dedication and servitude to me. we are ordering walkers shortbread (mmmmm delicious!) for our favours, and (unfortunately) my fiance wants to get a haggis!
anyways, enough rambling, hope i helped!
-liz
Kelly1Mickey
05-27-2005, 09:03 AM
Everything sounds wonderful! But I don't know what a haggis is.
SarahK
05-27-2005, 09:40 AM
Everything sounds wonderful! But I don't know what a haggis is.
Haggis is some sort of gross meat from differetn sheep parts or something. Its apparently a scottish delicacy and I think its the official national dish of scotland.
Ahhh.. I found a webisite... here is the info:
Haggis is one of those national dishes that is both beloved and reviled by natives, and sometimes horrifies people who hear it described for the first time. It even horrifies native Scots -- my teacher and graduate advisor Ian Conner, a Glaswegian, was appalled that I had actually eaten this stuff whilst in Scotland. "I hope you had lots of whisky with it, at least!" he said.
I had my haggis in Edinburgh at a lovely little restaurant near the train station off of Princes Street. It was not unlike a Scottish version of boudin, with oats instead of rice, or perhaps more like a Cajun dish called paunce, which is stuffed pork stomach. It was actually pretty tasty, particularly when I zinged it up with a little Tabasco (I always carry a little bottle when I travel), and washed down with a pint of McEwan's Export and a wee dram of single malt Scots whisky.
So, for your Robbie Burns Day celebration, you might have a hard time finding a haggis here in the States (it's difficult to get them imported too; I understand that the USDA has declared them "unfit for human consumption" ...). Now you can make haggis yourself! Here's a recipe I picked up
1 sheep's lung (illegal in the U.S.; may be omitted if not available)
1 sheep's stomach
1 sheep heart
1 sheep liver
1/2 lb fresh suet (kidney leaf fat is preferred)
3/4 cup oatmeal (the ground type, NOT the Quaker Oats type!)
3 onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup stock
ok... seems pretty "ew" to me!
Kelly1Mickey
05-27-2005, 09:48 AM
Oh that sounds YUMMY! I especially love dishes that include illegal ingredients! :p I wonder if my caterer has any special 'connections' with the sheep's lungs dealers?
I think my FH and I would have to come to an agreement that there would be no more kissing once he had eaten that until AFTER he brushes his teeth (with something much stronger than the run-of-the-mill toothpaste)!
I used to wish my FH would have a little more input (he helps, but leaves the decisions to me)...now I am glad he doesn't! LOL
c_cheff
05-27-2005, 09:52 AM
My fiance and I have decided that he and his groom men will be wearing kilts in his family tartan. He family isn't overly scottish, but we thought this would look really sharp. We'll be taking the colors for our wedding out of the tartan, but I was wondering about ideas for decoration. Should we stay completely with a scottish theme, or would it look ok to mix it up with anything else we like???? Anyway help would be appreicated :confused:
I've had a friend who was married into a scottish family and all of the men were kilts. It looked wonderful. Their kilts had green in them and they used that color for the bridesmaids. Other than that, there wasn't anything else scottish at their wedding, it was decorated elegantly with alot of white. So whatever you decide as decor is all up to you and your FH and whatever you prefer. Even if all you do is have the wedding party wear kilts, everyone will know that your wedding is centered around the scottish so you don't have to keep to just a scottish theme.
Hope this helps :)
MommaBird
05-28-2005, 05:48 PM
You could incorporate some Scottish music into your reception, like during the walk in. My sister didn't use a traditional processional for her ceremony. She used the "Wedding Song" from Braveheart. She has long, bright red hair, and was barefoot during her outside wedding. It was very fitting.
This article was found at Bridalzine (http://www.bridalzine.com/culture2.html)
Scottish Wedding Traditions
Why do I choke up when I hear the bagpipes? Why do I defend that truly disgusting concoction know as Haggis? Why can I recite "Wee coarse, sleekit, timorous beastie, as yea lay wa panic in yer breastie"? And why can I sing "Off we gaily, here we go, heel for heel and toe, for toe" and all the other words to Marries Wedding? You guessed it, I'm tartan to the core. Yep, a Lassie in the true sense of the word, and if you think I just referred to myself as a Collie then you need to take another peek over Hadrians Wall! Even as ex-patriots, we Scots have a deep seated need to cling to our heritage.
No where can this be epitomized more clearly than at a Scottish wedding. It doesn't matter if the ceremony is taking place in Ayr Scotland, Ayr Ontario, Ayr Pennsylvania or Hong Kong for that matter we bring our tartan DNA and our kilts and knobby knees proudly blubbering to the screeching drone of the bagpipes. Read below and we just might let you in on what a Scottish groom really wears under his Kilt.
Attire: The first step to creating a Scottish themed wedding is a trip to the kilt maker. The groom can opt for his family tartan or that of his bride. Complete with sporan and dagger any fella looks dashing in a kilt. The fair maiden could wear a tartan sash over her wedding gown. Either way, we Scots love to fly our colors. So needless to say "tartan" is the preferred color at a Scottish Wedding!
Flowers: Florists throughout the world have become very adept at importing Heather. Even is it's only a single sprig a touch of heather in your bouquet is a lucky omen for a Scottish Bride. It also dries beautifully and can be preserved as a reminder that can be enjoyed for the years to come.
The Scramble: Start collecting your change for this uniquely Scottish custom. As a gesture to insure good fortune in your marriage, many couples opt to continue the tradition of the scramble. Upon leaving the church the bride and groom scatter coins to the assembled children to collect. Legend has it that this token will be constantly returned to the bride and groom throughout the marriage.
The Pipes: Many a Scottish bride and groom depart the church to the sound of the pipes. Keeping your guests eardrums in mind, it is usually best to have the piper positioned outside of the church, have one of your guests take responsibility for signaling the piper when the exit is imminent.
The Music: A sure fire way to have your guests in tears is for the bride to have a dance with her da, to the song "Tis The Ring Your Mother Wore". In fact I challenge anyone to just listen to this song without becoming verklempt. And judging by how easily we Scot's cry I can't imagine a dry eye in the house. Of course "The Slosh" is also a necessity at any Scottish Wedding, our women folk just love this number! And lastly don't forget a rousing rendition of good old "Marrie's Wedding!"
The Dont's: For heavens sake, don't serve haggis! It may be a part of our heritage, but just choking it down on Burn's Supper Day is surely enough! Don't under supply the Whiskey, although this is a "little known" fact, Scottish men love a wee bevy (yep, it ***e as a shock to me too), so keep the bar line flowing. Don't allow a Scottish man that has imbibed in a wee bevy anywhere near a micro-phone. Unless you want to be regaled with Scottish tunes don't start them singing, or every one of them will want to add their own personal "party piece".
Well, have you guessed it? If you're thinking that Scottish men really go "au naturel" under their kilts then you are absolutely correct! Try not to plan your wedding in March or your guests may be treated to a little more of your groom than they bargained for! We wish you all the very best of Scottish luck, not only for your wedding day but for all the days of your Marriage!
Haggis is some sort of gross meat from differetn sheep parts or something. Its apparently a scottish delicacy and I think its the official national dish of scotland.
Ahhh.. I found a webisite... here is the info:
Haggis is one of those national dishes that is both beloved and reviled by natives, and sometimes horrifies people who hear it described for the first time. It even horrifies native Scots -- my teacher and graduate advisor Ian Conner, a Glaswegian, was appalled that I had actually eaten this stuff whilst in Scotland. "I hope you had lots of whisky with it, at least!" he said.
I had my haggis in Edinburgh at a lovely little restaurant near the train station off of Princes Street. It was not unlike a Scottish version of boudin, with oats instead of rice, or perhaps more like a Cajun dish called paunce, which is stuffed pork stomach. It was actually pretty tasty, particularly when I zinged it up with a little Tabasco (I always carry a little bottle when I travel), and washed down with a pint of McEwan's Export and a wee dram of single malt Scots whisky.
So, for your Robbie Burns Day celebration, you might have a hard time finding a haggis here in the States (it's difficult to get them imported too; I understand that the USDA has declared them "unfit for human consumption" ...). Now you can make haggis yourself! Here's a recipe I picked up
1 sheep's lung (illegal in the U.S.; may be omitted if not available)
1 sheep's stomach
1 sheep heart
1 sheep liver
1/2 lb fresh suet (kidney leaf fat is preferred)
3/4 cup oatmeal (the ground type, NOT the Quaker Oats type!)
3 onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup stock
ok... seems pretty "ew" to me!
YUCK!!! I do not think I would even serve this to my dogs. OMG why would anyone serve something like this at their wedding. Sorry if I offended anyone.
My fiance and I have decided that he and his groom men will be wearing kilts in his family tartan. He family isn't overly scottish, but we thought this would look really sharp. We'll be taking the colors for our wedding out of the tartan, but I was wondering about ideas for decoration. Should we stay completely with a scottish theme, or would it look ok to mix it up with anything else we like???? Anyway help would be appreicated :confused:
If you are going to use a Scottish theme for the wedding I would stay with it for the reception as well. There are different types of decorations you can use to give the reception the same Scottish feel.
mouchsi
05-29-2005, 01:13 PM
Thanks!!!!
That made me laugh until tears ran down my face! :D I can just picture my FH's grandfather (who will probably be the only native scot in the house), drunk as a skunk, belting out old football chants......
-Liz
reecey
05-30-2005, 07:19 PM
my fiance is second generation scottish, and he, his groomsmen, his grandfather, and his dad (who is also our officiant) are all planning on wearing kilts (all different tartans, as many of our friends are getting them made, but most have blue in them, for a unified look). i am extremely excited about it because it will make our wedding so much more unique.
as for decorations, we plan on carrying a subtle scottish theme through the whole wedding. my fiance's tartan is red, blue and white, so we are focusing on blue and white for our wedding colours (though i plan on carrying a boquet of red roses, and use white flowers - including white heather, which is considered lucky for scottish weddings - for bridesmaids and centrepieces) we are currently searching for cotton printed tartan (considerably cheaper than woven tartan for making kilts) to use as table runners and bows and accents and stuff. i want to have a sash of the same tartan as my fiance as the wrap for my boquet. we are also having a bagpiper pipe the processional, and possibly hiring highland dancers for entertainment during the coctail hour.
in other words, some scottish elements, and subtle hits of tartan here and there to remind people of his scottish heritage. we are also incorporating scottish wedding traditions into the ceremony such as me carrying a silver horseshoe for luck and my fiance is going to wash my feet as a symbol of his dedication and servitude to me. we are ordering walkers shortbread (mmmmm delicious!) for our favours, and (unfortunately) my fiance wants to get a haggis!
anyways, enough rambling, hope i helped!
-liz
oh dear lord! put your foot down on the haggis! (not literally! :P)