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Drawing from the Scottish and Irish Traditions, and from a number of local Argyll Craftsmen, we bring you wedding gifts and favours. Wedding Favours are not part of the Scottish traditions at all, but we've worked hard to bring you beautiful, genuine traditions that might serve as favours and we think you'll find these unique.
| Cuachan (Gift) | Brigit's Cross (Gift) | Small Brigit's Crosses (favour) | Sporans (gift) |
As an extension of the Cuach Ceremony (see the MC page)
, you might wish to keep this traditional, wooden, communal drinking vessel. Buckminster Fuller said "all things we make are extensions of our bodies, our minds, our souls". Cups and bowls from which we drink are simply extensions of our hands. These simplest of vessels that cultivate mindfulness and unity, are as individual and unique as the artisan who creates them, and as unique as each person who drinks from one and shares the 'water of life'. They lend themselves to the human touch.
A Cuach is a suitable gift for the newly-weds, organiser or best man. It is often a gift that the brides and grooms give to themselves, to start the tradition and have their own family drinking cup. The cuach can be used as part of the ceremony or the reception.
Made in Argyll and Perthshire, from Scottish hardwoods, the wooden cuach is the original and natural alternative to pewter, and a much more pleasant way to enjoy Uisge Beatha (Whisky) the 'water of life'. There are three sizes to choose from. The small cuach is about the size of the your hand; the large, about the size of a serial bowl.
* Note about Yew wood: yew is in itself poisonous. These cuachan are coated in a tough, alcohol resistant sealer and have been drunk from by us repeatedly with no effects (other than alcoholism). Yew wood was acred to the Druids. Questions about this are welcome.
Known by many names; She is known as Brigit in Ireland and Scotland, and as Cerridwen in Wales. She is the Goddess of the hearth, fire and poetry. She is the only goddess to survive from the Celtic into the Christian pantheon of saints. These crosses, made of Rush, come from the ancient rituals honouring her. Many Irish homes have one. They are sometimes placed in the eaves of the roof, or in the cattle-byre or by the hearth to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. A wonderful symbol to add to the home of a newly married couple; A lovely thank you gift for a Bridesmaid, mother or Maid of Honour.
In the ceremony, the groom carries the accepts the cross as an honour to the feminine. He later takes it to the home.
A Cross takes about two hours to make, which we do to order from November-January, and we can decorate it with ribbon, bell or something significant to you, if you wish. They are about 18" across and are designed to be hung above the hearth or a door, where it fades to a golden brown.
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Shown above: making St Bride's Crosses (reeds) with the guests / women . These are favours for the guests to take home for themselves a wee piece of the wedding energy. Each guest makes their own. How good is that!? This can be done as part of the reception entertainment (like the one shown) or with the women on the night before the wedding, with a wee drinkie...
"Scot, thank you so much for all you did for us. Nadine and Amos and Pepe couldn't stop talking about what a wonderful evening it was and how glad they were to get to ask you questions and listen to the stories. I wanted you to know your presence, the wonderful bowl and the tablets were truly beyond monetary value and we cannot thank you enough. The kilts were fantstic and now we know how the tartans were used for so many things. Thank you for the demonstrations. If you ever need a recomendation, I am yours." Dawn Reis Oct 2006.