Tartan Weddings are so beautiful

I vow you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine, from this day it shall only your name I cry out in the night and into your eyes that I smile each morning; I shall be a shield for you back as you are for mine,.. no 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 .

A tartan wedding follows pattern as either a traditional or non traditional wedding.  The addition of the kilt and tartan is an important detail.  First in the dress of the gentlemen but also for the women of the clan.  As with other weddings there is the pledge of love and faithfulness which usually includes a handfasting, the promise and if selected the ring exchange.  Following the proclamation of husband and wife a special ceremony takes place.  It's called by many things but to simplify it here I'll call it the "the pinning of the tartan".  This ceremony is customized to each family depending on whether the bride or the groom is being accepted in to the clan.

For instance if the bride is marrying into the clan,  any member of the grooms family may present the bride with clan tartan in the form of a rosette pin or sash which is fastened with the clan badge or guarder.  Often this presentation is pinned or dressed to the bride as acceptance into the grooms clan.  Many times the groom himself will pin or dress the bride, but it is quite emotional when the grooms mother does the pinning.  Sometimes a sword is given from groom to bride to be saved as a gift for the first born son.

When the presentation is made in reverse, either the mother or father of the bride do the presenting. Or, in a father's absence, the eldest male member of the brides family.  Although, the bride is not precluded from making the presentation herself.  This presentation can take many forms.  In some cases the groom is presented with his new families clan kilt which he wears to the after ceremony feast or reception.  Sometimes he is pinned or dressed with a sash secured with the clan badge. And some times a presentation of a sword takes place.  In any case the public acceptance of the bride or groom into the new family is a touching ceremony. 

"Tis rare to see a dry eye in the chapel ...after such an open acceptance."

Rev.C.Mclain
Is the Regional Director and Minnesota's Governor