The morning is the Highland Games followed by a Pimm's picnic lunch. Men should participate in the Highland Games in a Kilt, and women can wear a kilt if they so desire. In the evening, we'll transition to the Hand-fasting ceremony and an elegant Lords & Ladies-themed celebration.
Highland Games & Celtic Wedding Day
Below, you'll find mood boards we created for each day, a description of the theme and some shopping links to get you started!
Click on the "DAY 1-3" tabs listed below to browse the theme and attire suggestions for each day.
Get into it. Why not?!
FASHION HUB BY AK
GREAT SCOTSCOTLAND
VICTORIAN CHOICE
MAJESTIC VELVETS
POTOMAC & WOLFSTONE
Where can you buy Scottish style clothing? Here are some links to get you started:
Prior to the 16th century, clansmen would wear a "Great Kilt," one long piece of tartan fabric, wrapped around their waste (think Braveheart).
Kilts have been worn in battle as late as World War II; however, the "Highland dress" arrived in the 16th century and was used for more formal events - often a ceremonial show of riches and authority. The first who were seen wearing highland clothing were the lairds of Highland clans and their staff as a type of ceremonial attire and to highlight those who had talents that gave them social cachet (i.e. bards, storytellers, and singers).
"Highland dress" is made up of a variety of accessories, colors, patterns, designs, and is typically worn for special events and festivities. Typically, mens’ highland dress includes kilts or trews of his clan tartan, coupled with a short belted plaid, fly plaid, or full tartan plaid. Accessories include: a belt, sporran, sgian-dubh, knee-socks with a cuff known as kilt hose, garters, kilt pins, and clan emblems.
For women, The tartan of the woman's clan—or, if she's married, the clan of her spouse—depends on the style of her highland clothing. Women and girls often don't wear kilts, but they can wear ankle-length tartan skirts with a color-coordinating top and vest instead. A tartan earasaid, sash, or tonnag (a smaller shawl) may also be worn; these items are frequently fastened with brooches and may feature a clan insignia or other personal or cultural symbols.
Fun history on Highland Dress
Following our hand-fasting ceremony, the evening will continue towards an elegant celebration for our Lairds and Ladies. In Scotland, this means that men can continue into the night in their kilt (we will have a kilt-dresser onsite at Borthwick to assist in any tweaks). If you are opposed to the kilt, come as any Lord you desire - from the Italian Renaissance to
Female counter-parts: Come as the Lady you are. Ideas in the mood board above or the links to the right (below, if on mobile).
EVENING
The Highland Games is a millennia-old tradition that originated in Scotland to select the strongest warriors from each clan. We will be hosting a Highland Games on Day 3 that will double as a Clan gathering, so we'll have some additional guests here who have been invited to toss their cabers!
Men should wear kilts, commando-style optional. Women can too, or perhaps a tartan sash. For information on renting a kilt, please see our informational email HERE.
MORNING
