A Quaich Ceremony and a
Personalised Wedding: How One Couple Blended Scottish Tradition with a
Statutory Ceremony
Last weekend, I had the
pleasure of officiating a truly special wedding ceremony for a couple, B and J,
at a stunning venue just outside my usual registrar district. I was introduced
to them by a friend who is a wedding planner at the venue—one of the many joys
of this job is the connections it brings!
B and J had opted for a statutory
wedding ceremony at their local Registration Office two days before the big
celebration. This is a simple legal ceremony with just two witnesses
present. (More about statutory ceremonies and how they work and how the role of
a celebrant differs from that of a registrar in a future blog post!)
It meant they could have
their legal marriage registered quietly, then enjoy a personalised
wedding ceremony at a venue of their choosing with all their family and
friends.
Incorporating Scottish
Wedding Traditions
A highlight of their day and
one of the reasons for choosing to celebrate their ceremony this way was because
they wished to incorporate the Scottish wedding tradition of the Quaich
ceremony. The Quaich is a traditional two-handled drinking cup used in
Scottish weddings to symbolise trust, unity, and the coming together of two
families. This particular ritual was especially meaningful to the bride’s
family and was introduced beautifully by her father.
The Quaich (which had been purchased by J’s Mum and Dad as a gift) was filled with a specially selected Scottish whisky and shared between the couple in a heartfelt moment. Here’s the Quaich ceremony wording used on the day by J Senior (the Bride's Dad)
“Strike hands with me, the
glasses brim,
The dew is on the heather.
For love is good and life is long,
And two are best together.
Bless the union of these two,
Eager for marriage, eager for love.
May they begin life together,
Live that life together
And come to the end together.
B and J, it is now time to complete your bond.”
A Personal Wedding Ceremony
That Told Their Story
Before the Quaich ritual, I
delivered a fully personalised wedding ceremony for the couple. We
shared their story—how they met, what drew them together, and the life they’ve
built so far. It was warm, joyful, and full of personality.
Because the legalities were
already done, there were no restrictions on what we could include in the
ceremony. It was a celebration through and through—and one that reflected their
values, their love story, and the things that mattered most to them.
As a wedding registrar, it’s
always an honour to be asked to be part of ceremonies like this—where the
couple has shaped the day into something uniquely their own.
If you're considering a
statutory wedding ceremony or want to explore how to include meaningful
traditions like the Quaich in your day, feel free to get in touch.
Until next time,
Tales from the Registrar’s Desk
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