Highland Fling

Think Scottish wedding, think stereotypical lashings of red and green tartan, men in kilts and highland dancing in the evening... A request has come to me lately however, for a classy alternative to the over-exuberant, slightly done typical highland fling... So here are my more muted musings!

Keep calm and carry on...

...using tartan, but don’t be scared of shifting to a different clans stripes if Christmas style red and green is not your thing! Tartan fabrics and ribbons are readily available online and in most fabric stores, in whole host of colours to suit your ideals... for my post today, I’m thinking cooling blues and serene purples offset with sparkly silver...

Image credit: www.scotlandshop.com

 

*Guest book*

I love this idea from Amber Events, of signing a dark bottle!- a far cry from your stereotypical guestbook, you get a drink AND a quirky keepsake out of it! The obvious tipple of choice for this theme would be a traditional Scotch whiskey, but I also love these personalisable black champagne bottles (drink inclusive!) from Revel stoke wines- Slightly pricey, but so much fun! :)



Image credits: Amber events & Revel Stoke wines

*Food*

Hagis!? Joke.

As this theme is more of a traditional one, it would suit a traditional sit-down coursed meal, but really food is down to personal preference! Just keep it yummy, people!

  

*Tables*

White lace tablecloths... a simple and effective way of incorporating a bit of both Scottish and English heritage, in a classy and clean way! Vintage tablecloths can be found on eBay- the mix and match-ness of which can create a real relaxed home-y feel, or cheaper (cotton) versions of real lace can also be bought by the metre online... can’t stretch to a whole table? Runners are enough to create impact and flair without being too overpowering / granny-fying- you could also edge with a thin strip of tartan either side, or lay over a coloured table cloth to tie in.

Image credit:  www.dressityourself.co.uk

*Invites*

A continuation of the lace table cloth idea, I am currently LOVING doily envelopes!- they are a beautiful and cost effective way of containing your invites, and the cut-outs are great at providing just that little peep of your theme colours before the opening and overall big reveal... Lined in lavender paper and sealed with a crystal / pearl, these super cute vintage-style invites would be the best looking mail to ever come through your letter box!



Image credit: www.howdoilovetheestyle.blogspot.com

*Looking up*

This type of wedding would really suit a barn, with a real warm feel to it, so beams ahoy! If you do have beams, use them- they are great for wrapping fairy lights around! You could also hang flowers or strings of photos from them for a more personal / homely touch...

*Sitting down*

I HATE chair covers, so the day I have so little inspiration that I recommend them, is the day I will stop writing! Again with the homey feel, nice wooden chairs would suit this theme- with either a natural or whitewashed look to them- hire seat pads in your colour (in this case lavender, or a real dark purple would love laaaahhhhvly) to make them a bit more comfortable, or use mix and match cushions in mixed tartan / floral / block fabrics... fix flowers or hang your favours over the top of one of the spindles, or use them to tie your place names to, using brown tartan backed tags... Pocketful of dreams shows some great examples!



Image credit: www.pocketfulofdreams.co.uk



*Cleaning up*

Silver edged rectangle folded fabric napkins with a single sea holly tucked inside or rolled napkins tied up with small sprigs of heather tied with a thin tartan ribbon...



*Flowers*

Purple heather (or lavender if not in season), mixed with blue thistles and white gypsophilia... to break it up a bit / add a bit of “English”-ness, mix in white / vintage dusky pink / lilac roses...



*To pretty-fy*

Glam up and add a bit of sparkle, use costume jewellery bracelets to tidy up and add interest to flower stems and vases... alternatively, you can buy cheap tartan napkin rings to wrap around and customise with stick on silver gems- a simple continuation of the theme...




Image credit: bbc.co.uk

*For guys*

To follow the theme in a more obvious and traditional, (but no way kilt!) fashion, a tartan tie would be key, however a more relaxed approach could involve a plain coloured tie to follow the scheme, with a simple buttonhole of thistle or heather surrounded by a flurry of snow-like gypsohilia...

*For girls*

Stick with the theme and go for something lacy – traditionalists can even keep with the colour scheme and wear their “something blue” on the outside... Coloured or tartan shoes are unique and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes!

*Favours*

When I think Scotland, I immediately think of the beautiful scenery... so I’m really digging pebbles for this theme! Impactful and eco friendly, take a day trip to the beach to pick perfect pebbles, or head down to your local DIY store or garden centre for a bag of natural or polished pretties. Write on them to make them double up as place settings and keepsakes. Online, you can even find shaped pebbles, making your stony specials even more sweet- like these small hearts from Velvet Brown!



Image credit: www.velvetbrown.co.uk

 

So! Just a couple of ideas for you... if you'd like to hear more / would like further inspiration or you have a theme of your own that you'd like to explore, please do contact me!- unfortunately word count restricts me on here, but I have PLENTY more ideas where these came from and am absolutely bursting to share!


Love,