Father of the bride.........

[Canuck]

Blu, you are welcome to borrow my PC jacket and vest 44T save a few dollars. If not I got a good price from Tartans and Treasures in Cape Breton. I can give you details if you PM me

[Casey]

Blu,

Congratulation on your daughter's wedding.

I always thought that the father of the bride should be the best dressed man at the wedding. You'll be great in the Scottish outfit.

[highlander_Daz]

congratulations on your daughters wedding, Id suggest PC jacketand vest, strictly no belt !!! white wing tip shirt, black bow tie, cream socks, matching flashes to your kilt , ghillie broughes - tied correctly please!! 4 twists to front , two to rear and tied in a neat bow on the side!!! this will impress any scots present as most people tie them incorrectly.
nice kilt pin reflecting your heritage, and a nice touch would be a plaid, normally worn by the groom, but why not if the grooms not wearing highland dress!!! worn on the left unless your the local clan chief
an nice Gaelig blessing would be would be

Mìle fàilte dhuit le d'bhréid,Fad do ré gun robh thu slàn.
Móran làithean dhuit is sìth,Le d'mhaitheas is le d'nì bhi fàs.


Translation in English: "A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage kerchief,
may you be healthy all your days. May you be blessed with long life and peace,
may you grow old with goodness and with riches."

if you cant prounouce it maybe an engraved glass or plate? or quaich even?
at scots wdding its a tradition to scatter coins to the childen "a scramble" this ensures prosperity !!

drink plenty of whisky , dance like no -ones watching and keep your knees together whilst seated !!
bear in mind you will be magnet for HRT fuelled middle aged ladies wanting to see the "flower of scotland" so be carefull!!!
toast the bride and groom with whisky -REAL whisky like teachers or famous grouse NOT Jack daniels
and Slainthe' say it as slanj !
enjoy

Darren "Laird of Glencairn!!"

[Blu (Ontario)]

Thank you everyone for all your help and kind words.

My protestant raised daughter is marrying an Italian catholic. The guest list includes people from many different ethnic backgrounds. It should be one hellofa party!

Q - Should I leave the sgian dubh home that day?
A - Not especially, unless you're concerned about trouble with the local constabulary. I suppose you could check with the padre/ministed officiating, but I wore my sgain dubh to my wedding, especially since it was a gift from my wife.

We have many restrictions placed on firearms here. Not so much on knives. That may change over time as gang violence increases with knives being the weapon of choice. I'll ask just to be sure nobody takes exception to it.

Tradtionally, after a toast is given, the quaich is drained, flipped upside down, and the bottom of the quaich is kissed to signify that it is empty. "Slainte!" (Slanje) is certainly appropriate to end the toast.

This is great!... Thanks Tod!

Hey Blu... that's great news about unleashing one of the kids!

Yah... They make good couple. Both have good jobs and they've already bought a house. They get their new found freedom and we get some of ours back too!

...With my own wedding due in less than two months, my future father-in-law and his gaggle of brothers have JUST decided to wear kilts! I know in my case that I couldn't care what they wear with them. I'm having them wear black shoes, off-white kilt hose, green flashes, all-black kilts, off-white shirts, green ties... and if they want a jacket... that's their decision. It ain't exactly Celtic traditional, but I couldn't give a rat's patoot. Getting these guys in a garment that they SWORE they would never wear is enough for Mr. and Mrs. Carbomb. Wink

This is great! Gotta love it!

I, being the groom, will be a little more "traditional".

Congratulations on your own upcoming wedding! You'll be familiar with the preparatory work and costs involved in these ventures. We have roughly 250 guests!

Trust me, the colors are close enough - off white hose and a white shirt go fine together.

I've found an off-white tuxedo shirt that's close to the hose. The hose were hand knit last year by my dear mother (80 years young!) I think they'll look great together.

...
BTW, I just noticed in The House of Edgar's new 2005 catalog they are offering 5-button Argyll vests now at a very reasonable price.

I should probably invest in one of those.

...
All this reminds me of a story. I had a gentlemen come in the shop one Saturday afternoon...

I like this guy! He should be posting here!

...Blu, you are welcome to borrow my PC jacket and vest 44T save a few dollars. If not I got a good price from Tartans and Treasures in Cape Breton. I can give you details if you PM me.

A generous offer, Robert... Thanx. I'll pm shortly. Its about time we got together for a pint, anyway.

... ghillie broughes - tied correctly please!! 4 twists to front , two to rear and tied in a neat bow on the side!!! this will impress any scots present as most people tie them incorrectly.

I've been using this method. I think its close...

http://www.nicolsonhighlandwear.co.u...articleID=1164

...Mìle fàilte dhuit le d'bhréid,Fad do ré gun robh thu slàn.
Móran làithean dhuit is sìth,Le d'mhaitheas is le d'nì bhi fàs.


Translation in English: "A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage kerchief,
may you be healthy all your days. May you be blessed with long life and peace,
may you grow old with goodness and with riches."

Darren, This is wonderful! Thanks so much!

Cheers to all
blu

[Doc Hudson]

Q - Should I leave the sgian dubh home that day?
A - Not especially, unless you're concerned about trouble with the local constabulary. I suppose you could check with the padre/ministed officiating, but I wore my sgain dubh to my wedding, especially since it was a gift from my wife.

We have many restrictions placed on firearms here. Not so much on knives. That may change over time as gang violence increases with knives being the weapon of choice. I'll ask just to be sure nobody takes exception to it.
blu

At the risk of getting my posts pulled and myself banned, but I gotta ask.

What makes you things gangsters are going to give up guns? By nature they are criminals already so it won't bother them to break gun laws any more than it bothers them to break the laws on drugs, theft, rape, or murder. Only law abiding folk obey laws, and they are not the ones who need to be restrained anyway.

Wear your sgian dubh with pride. Chances are most folk won't know what it is, and those that do won't be bothered by it.

[Hamish]

Wow! It has all be said, Blu, but I must add my own Best Wishes and Congratulations to the happy couple.

Todd asks what my thoughts are concerning the before-or-after 5.00pm dress code. Of course, I see everything from the British viewpoint which is, I am sure, quite different to those of the USA and Canada. Frankly, I think this 'watershed' timing is very, very seldom adhered to nowadays, especially where weddings are concerned. It seems that whenever I become aware of a 'Scottish' wedding taking place, no matter what time of day, it's the Prince Charlie - and therefore black bow-tie that is worn. If it is not a Scottish wedding here in the UK, Tuxedos, or DJs as we call them, are not worn. The usual outfit is a Morning Suit worn with a very fancy waistcoat and cravat and possibly a Top Hat - but I could be wrong as it is many, many years since I have attended a wedding!

The more I think about it, the more difficult it is for me to advise. The cultural differences between the USA and the UK, notably when it comes to weddings, make for very different formats to be followed. I am not aware, for example, of a UK wedding taking place after about 3.30pm - there might be legal restrictions concerning this. They also can take place only in locations licenced for marriages and, until fairly recently, that meant only a place of worship or a civil Registry Office. I believe that in the USA, and possibly Canada, couples can marry on beaches, in gardens, underwater, you name it!! Anywhere goes.

I am afraid that my suggestions or recommendations might not be appropriate on your side of the pond, so I'd best not offer any. I think, Blu, that you've had enough replies from your fellow North Americans to satisfy you - they mostly make complete sense to me, with one exception: the shirt!

Personally, I have never seen an off-white or cream, pleated or plain, dress shirt, only white. To my mind, an off-white shirt worn formally could very easily appear to be old or grubby - not Persil White - and that would never do. As others have actually suggested, go for the white shirt and off-white or cream hose. PLEASE do not wear white hose!

Sorry, Blu. I have rambled on here, and really have not helped at all so listen to what the others advise.

[Blu (Ontario)]

Wow! It has all be said, Blu, but I must add my own Best Wishes and Congratulations to the happy couple.

Thanks Hamish.

...It seems that whenever I become aware of a 'Scottish' wedding taking place, no matter what time of day, it's the Prince Charlie - and therefore black bow-tie that is worn. If it is not a Scottish wedding here in the UK, Tuxedos, or DJs as we call them, are not worn. The usual outfit is a Morning Suit worn with a very fancy waistcoat and cravat and possibly a Top Hat...

Although it will not be a scottish wedding in a pure sense, there will be elements taken from several cultures. Hey, how about a top hat with the P.C. ?

...I believe that in the USA, and possibly Canada, couples can marry on beaches, in gardens, underwater, you name it!! Anywhere goes.

Very true. I've never been to an outdoor wedding but I know a few people who have. The down side is you're at the mercy of the weather. Like anything in life there are always going to be those folks that will take it to the extreme. I heard a few years ago that there was a marriage on a ski lift.

... Personally, I have never seen an off-white or cream, pleated or plain, dress shirt, only white. To my mind, an off-white shirt worn formally could very easily appear to be old or grubby - not Persil White - and that would never do. As others have actually suggested, go for the white shirt and off-white or cream hose. PLEASE do not wear white hose!

Have no fear! I do not own white hose nor do I have plans to purchase any. The thought of the off white shirt looking grubby has crossed my mind. The groomsmen will be wearing offwhite shirts. But at least I have a choice if it looks bad.

Your input is much appreciated!

cheers,
blu

[Blu (Ontario)]

...What makes you things gangsters are going to give up guns? By nature they are criminals already so it won't bother them to break gun laws any more than it bothers them to break the laws on drugs, theft, rape, or murder. Only law abiding folk obey laws, and they are not the ones who need to be restrained anyway.
Wear your sgian dubh with pride. Chances are most folk won't know what it is, and those that do won't be bothered by it.

Although organized crime (eg. Cosa Nostra) continues to be a problem, I was speaking more of youth gangs in our area that are an increasing problem. knives being their weapon of choice. (Mostly involved in drug trafficking) Knives are cheap and easy to get. When they are seen as a problem, lawmakers have knee-jerk reactions.

[Thistle Stop]

Blu, Congratulations and much happiness to your daughter and her fiance, and all the family!

You've had much good advice. Here are my observations, for what it's worth:

- Wear cream hose, the standard for a formal event; stark white is really just for pipe bands.
- Wear a white, not off-white, wing collar or Windsor collar dress shirt, with a black bow tie; pleats are OK on the shirt, but no ruffles.
- You can wear black dress oxfords rather than ghillie brogues if you prefer; the ghillies are more traditional and formal but a lot of Americans forego them.
- Unless the wedding is very formal, your Argyll jacket will be fine; I think they look best unbuttoned over a 5-button waistcoat (vest) worn buttoned up; don't wear a kilt waist belt with a waistcoat.
- Wear a dress sporran; i.e., the flat type with a metal cantle (top frame) and fur bag.
- If you wear a sgian dubh (which would be the traditional thing to do), make it a formal type, not one with a horn or natural wood handle; the handle should be black with a silver metal cap (with or without a stone on top).
- I have a page of traditional Gaelic, Scots, and English toasts and blessings for various occasions at http://www.thistlestopshop.com/catal...Blessings.html
- If you send me your email address by private message, I'll send you an info page about the quaich; other than what's been said here already, I'd just add that you hold the quaich by both lugs (the handles) to drink from it.
- Do not wear a top hat with a kilt! (I hope you were joshing about that...) Wear a Glengarry or Balmoral bonnet, if you want a hat -- put a clan crest badge or similar badge on the cockade at the side. On the Glengarry, let the ribbon tails hang down in back, on a Balmoral, tie them in a bow up against the band in the back.

Have a wonderful time at the wedding!

Cheers, Cyndi

[macwilkin]

Welcome, Cyndi, and many thanks for your link with all of the Scottish toasts -- that will come in very handy for me! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd