Officiating a wedding...?

[Taffy Jack]

Salutations, Rabbble!

I've been asked by a dear friend to officiate his wedding to another dear friend. They're both in their early fifties and while they've not led sheltered lives, this is the first marriage for each. It will also be (gulp!) my first time solemnizing a union.

I know that Father Bill (and doubtless other participants) have wisdom to offer on the provision of a service to these fine people, and that would be welcome. I've been busily credentialing myself in various ways so that doesn't slide off the table, and have had a couple of meetings with them to start working out how they'd like to proceed (an intersection of Methodism, Judaism, and paganism is desired -- more research required!).

My main question to the Rabble, of course, is on both the cruder and finer points of dress for yours truly. Kilts are the uniform of the day. No further spec is included on their invitations to family, but my buddy has asked that I wear decorations.

The wedding is outdoors, of an evening.

So that's a couple of criteria.

Of course, this'll be my first kilt experience. The Lewis of Wales "cilt" tartan represents my family name, is pretty dang sharp, and picks up colors close to my buddy's beloved Seahawks. However, I'm informed by Steve that the weave on Cardiff-loomed wool is too loose to build a durable kilt. Ergo, I'm going with the U.S. army tartan and relying on Rocky for a fast build out of Pennsylvania, after having dithered too long following a nasty accident last summer.

Naturally, I'll want to have this sartorial investment usable at other formal venues, such as charity banquets.

Whew! Too much info for clarity...

Here's my basic plan, presented here for editing as appropriate:

Kilt with no belt, P.C., and vest. Pretty Wife doesn't prefer the Argylle look (vest opening too high, in her view) and thinks the P.C. is wicked sharp. I prefer to incline to her tastes there.

Furless, formal sporran (black leather with white metal).

Miniature medals on the left lapel.

P.W. also likes the fly plaid. I've nixed that, but remain amenable to suggestions.

No headgear.

Bottle green or blue hose -- my lower legs are a bit chewed up, and Pretty Wife is pretty certain I'll "print" noticeably through white or cream hose.

Red flashes (bride's color, plus I was a redleg way back before I was, er... intel, infantry, and psyop with the cavalry).

Polished jump boots in place of brogues.

I have a nice, modestly sized sloyd knife in a leather holster that I'd like to wear as a sgian dubh. It's not very fancy with its painted birch handle, but I suppose I could mount a pretty stone to the pommel.

Important factors here for me are the couple's preferences, tradition, P.W.'s preferences, and (to some limited degree) practicality and flexibility.

I'm probably missing things, but I'd like to sit back and listen now (i.e. heading for a seamstress friend's house to get properly measured). Thanks for any useful input.

Cheers,

Jack