Many thanks for your helpful contributions. I have only just logged on following my attendance at the revels of a 25th wedding anniversary.

Thanks to Jock I have yet another example of two nations separated by a common language. I hope the text on shirts below will work on both sides of the pond. The Jock, Schiehallion and Mat Newsome debate has resulted in what I think is a helpful middle way. I trust my revised text reflects this. Like Mat, I too have seen a few truly horrible colour combinations (and most of them in Scotland's central belt!). I guess this is, at least in part, about colour sense, and applies whatever clothing is worn. I think I only use the 'm' word once.

Do people marry during the evening in the US and Canada? I rather thought they did in the US. Someone please enlighten me. Thanks for the reminder of the English position Pleater. I have conducted weddings in England but that was some years ago. In Scotland we licence the celebrants rather than buildings. This gives more flexibility on both timing and location.

I have expanded the bit on plaids Scotsman and thanks Ken B for the reference.

So will this pass muster?

A gent's highland wedding outfit consists of the following -

For a day-time wedding: kilt (usually made from eight yards of tartan wool) with kilt pin, tweed Argyll (or similar Crail or Braemar) jacket with antler buttons and matching five-button waistcoat or kilt belt in brown or black leather (but don’t wear a belt with a waistcoat), brown or black leather sporran and brogues, kilt hose and garter flashes to complement (or at least not clash with) the colours in the kilt and jacket (avoid hire-shop white hose unless you are a piper!), turn-down collar shirt (usually white) and tie (usually silver).

For a day-time wedding with a more formal look (where Anglo-Saxons would wear morning dress): kilt with kilt pin, black Argyll jacket with silver buttons and matching five-button waistcoat or black leather kilt belt with silver buckle plate (but, again, don’t wear a belt and a waistcoat together), black brogues, sporran with fur front or silver cantle, kilt hose and garter flashes to compliment (or at least not clash with) the colours in the kilt or jacket (again, avoid hire-shop white hose) white wing-collar or turn-down collar formal shirt and tie or cravat (usually silver or cream).

For a late afternoon wedding or when the celebrations will go on into the evening (where Anglo-Saxons would wear a dinner suite or tuxedo): kilt with kilt pin, Prince Charlie jacket (usually black) with silver buttons and three button waistcoat to match the jacket or the tartan of the kilt (or one of the highland doublets such as the Regulation, Kenmore, Sheriffmuir or Montrose – the last three generally worn with a lace jabot or highland cravat), full dress sporran with fur front and silver cantle, kilt hose and garter flashes to compliment the colours in the kilt and jacket, or tartan or diced hose that match the kilt, black brogues or buckle brogues, white wing-collar or turn-down collar evening shirt (tuxedo shirt) and black bow tie.

Although rarely worn in Scotland any more, formal evening dress could include a plaid (fly plaid or belted half-plaid), which passes under the epaulette on the left shoulder and is secured to the jacket or doublet by a large plaid brooch. Dirks are rarely worn and are inappropriate for a church wedding (where weapons should not be carried). However, a sgian dubh (or a safety one without a blade) is often worn in the top of the hose (more a utility knife than a real weapon but make sure it is legal in the country or state where you will be married!). A couple of things to avoid are kilts that are too low and hose that are too high. If they meet, you’ve got it wrong! The top of the kilt should be at or slightly above your belly button and the bottom at or slightly above the middle of your knees. Hose should be a couple of inches below where your knee bends. Apart from laws about carrying of knives, there are no rules about Scottish highland dress but there are important traditions and conventions. These should not dictate what you wear or prevent you from being creative and a wee bit different but knowing the form should help you look your best on your wedding day.