How To Include Tartan In Your Wedding

If you’re tying the knot in the winter and want to add a hint of Scottish heritage to your special day, you’ve found yourself in the right place. Tartan is a traditional Scottish material that also happens to be the perfect choice for the colder months, adding a stylish yet cosy vibe to any wedding. Take a peek at our favourite ways to add a touch of tartan to your celebration…

Aisle Style

• While a tartan wedding dress may not take your fancy, there are lots of lovely subtle ways to incorporate the material into your bridal outfit. A simple bow tied around the waist of your gown will transform a traditional white wedding dress.
• Wrap up warm with a stylish tartan shawl or cosy knit. It’ll help to keep you nice and toasty during those all-important outdoor photographs.
• Offer your team of ‘maids matching shawls teamed with jewel tone fashion earrings and it will give your aisle style an alternative look.
• If your groom-to-be isn’t already wearing a tartan kilt, he could don a tartan waistcoat, jacket or simply a pair of tartan socks.
• Add a finishing touch to the groom and groomsmen’s buttonholes by tying them together with a tartan ribbon. Alternatively, you could place a tartan handkerchief in their pocket square.
• Ribbons can be tied around the stems of your wedding bouquet for a subtle nod towards your Scottish heritage. You can fasten the ribbons together with small vintage frames of your loved ones who couldn’t be there, so that it feels like they are accompanying you as you walk down the aisle.

Images: Top Row Left via Green Wedding Shoes by Sarah Goss Photography & Al Gawlik Photography / Top Row Right via Style Me Pretty by Charlotte Jenks Lewis / Second Row Left via Whimsical Wonderland Weddings by Gail Kelly / Second Row Right via Style Me Pretty (same as before) by One Love Photo / Third Row Left via Style Me Pretty (same as before) by Charlotte Jenks Lewis (same as before) / Third row Right via Style Me Pretty (same as before) by Darcy Benincosa Photography / Bottom Row via Love My Dress by David Jenkins Photography

The Decorations

• Set the scene for your special day with your wedding stationery. It will let your guests know straightaway that you will be including your Scottish heritage in your celebration and everyone will look forward to seeing what’s to come.
• You can also include tartan material throughout your on-the-day stationery too, such as your seating plan, menu cards and even place settings.
• When it comes to styling your tables during the wedding breakfast, you’ll be spoilt for choice and you can really think outside of the box.
• If you’re having simple table décor in terms of floral design and centrepieces, you could use tartan napkins or tie your place cards with tartan ribbon.
• For your wedding favours, offer your guests a mini bottle of Scotch – you can tie their name tags to the bottle with tartan ribbon.
• Tie handfuls of blooms to the end of your aisle pews using a simple tartan material. It’s a lovely way to decorate your wedding ceremony space and will give the room a pop of colour without being overpowering.
• A simple white wedding cake can be transformed into a Scottish masterpiece with the addition of a tartan ribbon or table runner.

Images: Top Row Left via Green Wedding Shoes by The Kitcheners / Top Row Right via Rock My Wedding by Fiona Kelly Photography / Second Row Left via Paul Underhill / Second Row Right via Style Me Pretty (same as before) by Laura Gordon Photography / Third Row Left via Whimsical Wonderland Weddings by Victoria Phipps Photography / Third Row Right via Style Me Pretty (same as before) by Charlotte Jenks Lewis / Fourth Row Left via Love My Dress by M and J Photos / Bottom Row via Whimsical Wonderland Weddings (same as before) by Tierney Photography

Tartan usually consists of five different colours, so pick out one from the selection and use that as the main colour for your overall palette. Not only does a tartan wedding theme offer a nod towards Scotland, it brings life and colour to your celebration. It’s the perfect fit for a winter wedding, don’t you think?