Sam and
Diane: A Scottish Highland Ceilidh
For those
who don't speak the Gaelic, a ceilidh (kay-lee) is a party, often
associated with courting. The original word means, “companion”.
I can't think of a more perfect word, then, for the Scottish wedding
of Sam and Diane last December. The ceremony took place on December 21st,
the Winter Solstice, when the light returns to the world; the
symbolism became a wonderful part of this magical wedding ceremony.
Sam hails
from the Highlands of Scotland. I was enchanted the moment I met
him. Peering at me myopically through his Coke-bottle glasses, Sam
said, . . .uh. . .something. Wow. That's quite a burr he's got
there. I blame it on the noise at Starbucks, really, that I had to
ask him to repeat himself. But mere moments later, I found myself
laughing delightedly with this rascally, hilarious Scot. Diane soon
showed that she was going to match him witticism for bawdy,
eyebrow-waggling witticism. Between the two of them, I think they
may have cornered the market on mischievous charm. These two, I
thought, are my kind of people!
Sam and
Diane wanted to honor Sam's heritage, and to work the theme of the
Solstice into their ceremony. They chose a handfasting ceremony,
which is a marvelous Scottish tradition, in which the couple's hands
are tied together. It's where we get the phrase, “tying the knot”.
Sam planned to wear his full kilt; happily, being of Cunningham
heritage myself, I wore my clan sash and badge.
As I
approached, the sounds of the bagpipes swirled through the air.
Smithville is host to dozens of darling little shops, and the
unusually fair day meant the place was crowded. The sounds of happy
laughter and chatter were everywhere. The wedding took place at Fred
and Ethel's Lamplight Tavern in adorable Smithville, NJ. The antique
building is full of charm; the room boasted beamed ceilings and a
gorgeous fireplace. We held the ceremony there; Sam in his kilt, and
Diane looking like the Queen of Winter in her sparkling white lace
gown and headpiece of evergreen and crystal.
The
bagpiper piped Diane to the altar. The couple shared bread and salt,
to symbolize that they would have bountiful food and one another's
protection. A friend had braided their handfasting cord, including a
length of Sam's clan tartan, and hanging tiny charms from the ends.
Feelings of love and joy filled the room completely. Diane likens
Sam's love for her to the Winter Solstice; just when things seemed
darkest, he brought the light back into her life. But don't think
this ceremony was solemn and formal! Oh, no. In fact, though I'm
used to hearing some bawdy jokes before or after a ceremony, this
wedding marked the first time the couple was cracking wise during the
ceremony! I think it would have taken about five minutes less if we
hadn't kept stopping to laugh. And laugh. And laugh!
A merrier
gathering was never held than the reception that followed. Sam and
Diane shared a quaich, toasting each other and the guests. To honor
the Solstice, candles and decorated matchbooks were placed at each
person's seat. I asked the guests to light not their own candle, but
someone else's. Diane's eye for detail shone through; the
decorations were absolutely gorgeous, with sparkling white, silver,
and slate blue on every wall and table, and tartan everywhere it
could go. Even Diane's finger- and toenails sported tartan stripes!
Sam and
Diane, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for having me as part
of your wedding day. I will remember it always! Happy Anniversary!
Love,
Holly
No comments:
Post a Comment