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Scottish
Before a Scottish wedding, a shower is held so that the bride can open the wedding gifts surrounded by everyone who has sent a gift. At this shower, the bride is dressed up in a "veil" (made from anything you have - shower curtain, sheet, or anything you can think of!). She is given a plastic baby doll and a plastic toilet or container. The party walks through town singing songs. The bride can exchange kisses for money, which is placed into the toilet or container.
The groom also has a special night out with his friends. He is often dressed up as a pregnant woman and paraded around town. His friends play a lot of practical jokes on him and the evening often ends up with the groom tied up in front of his home - with or without his clothes!
The Scots begin the wedding the night before the ceremony...drinking, singing, and dancing accompanies a festive party.
Scottish grooms wear a kilt featuring their clan tartan. The bride can wear a brooch fastened with a piece of this tartan, as well, to symbolize her being welcomed into her new family.
Scottish priests bless the newlyweds, their home, and their bed.
South African
South African weddings are followed by a large feast known as the Karamu.
The bride's family lights a fire in the hearth of the new couple, using fire from their own hearth.
The traditional South African wedding involves a unity candle ceremony. A large candle remains unlit during the ceremony, flanked by two lit smaller candles. The bride and groom each take one small candle and light the large candle, symbolizing their union. A nice way to add to this is to have each of the small candles lit by the parents of the bride and groom prior to the wedding.
The Twelve Symbols of Life are administered during the ceremony.
Each of these is very symbolic to the family:
| 1 |
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Bible or Koran |
7 |
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Salt |
| 2 |
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Bitter Herbs |
8 |
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Shield |
| 3 |
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Broom |
9 |
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Spear |
| 4 |
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Honey |
10 |
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Water |
| 5 |
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Pepper |
11 |
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Wheat |
| 6 |
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Pot & Spoon |
12 |
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Wine |
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