As one of the most important of all social occasions, weddings have always inspired and been enhanced by traditional songs and music. Alongside the ceremonial and celebratory bagpipe and fiddle music that are a staple of Scots weddings, there are a multitude of songs that characterise and commemorate these special moments. Below is a selection of such songs and tunes drawn from all over the Scots tradition.

Cuttie's Wedding

Traditional, sung by Jeannie Robertson, Aberdeen

A North-East Scots song about a penny wedding at Drumlithie in the parish of St Fergus, said to have taken place around 1770. 'Cuttie', the bridegroom in the song, was a local fisherman, and appears to have been willing to marry a 'cankert [ill-natured] maiden'. The legendary Aberdeenshire ballad-singer, Jeannie Robertson (1908–1975), can be heard singing her version of the song at the Kist o Riches.

The Spinner's Wedding

Composed by Mary Brooksbank, Dundee, sung by Artie Trezise and Cilla Fisher

This song by Dundonian poet and activist, Mary Brooksbank, tells of the preparations for a factory spinner's wedding, with help from her bridesmaids and friends. As with many of Mary's compositions, this song draws on her experiences of working in Dundee's jute mills. Some traditional rites of passage and symbolic gifts associated with Scottish wedding customs are mentioned in the song, including the gift of a chanty (chamber pot) full of salt. The spirited version below is by husband and wife folk duo Artie Trezise and Cilla Fisher.

Unst Bridal March

Traditional, played by Tom Anderson / Kevin Henderson, Shetland

This lovely Shetland bridal march is traditionally played by the fiddler leading the wedding procession to the kirk. One of Shetland's most important 20th-century music collectors and tradition bearers, Tom Anderson, can be heard at the Kist o Riches giving a rendition of the 'Unst Bridal March' followed by a bridal welcome called 'Da Bride's a Boannie Ting.'

Another fine version of the 'Unst Bridal March', this time by modern Shetland fiddle virtuoso Kevin Henderson, can be heard below:

Pad the Road wi Me

Traditional, performed by Malinky

The road to marriage is not always a straight one of course, and the Scots tradition is full of songs recounting the twists and turns of courtship. Some of the considerations facing young couples who want to marry are raised in the traditional dialogue song below, performed by the award-winning Scots song band, Malinky. Fortunately for the young man in the song, he is able to convince his sweetheart that their love can conquer all!

Come Ye Hi, Come Ye Ha, Come Ye A' tae the Waddin

Traditional, sung by Donald MacMartin, Perthshire

A short traditional song/rhyme sung by wedding guests to celebrate the occasion and put the newlyweds to bed at night - a custom known as 'bedding the bride and groom'. 

This song was contributed to the Kist o Riches by Donald MacMartin, a retired farmer who had been raised as a Gaelic-speaker until he was orphaned at the age of ten. Donald then went to live at a farm on the shores of Loch Tay with his Scots-speaking aunt and uncle, where he learned a great wealth of songs from bothy workers.

Highland Wedding

Traditional pipe tune, performed by Simon Fraser University Pipe Band

Scots weddings are known for their liveliness, in no small part due to the art of the bagpiper. In the video below, we hear one of the finest pipe bands in the whole world with a rendition of a favourite wedding march. 

The Waddin o MacPhee on Ben Lomond

Traditional, sung by Willie Scott

Rowdy weddings have always been a favourite subject for composers of folk-song, and the rule for depicting them seems to be 'the sillier the better'. Border shepherd, Willie Scott (1897-1990) had one such nonsense-wedding song, based on a parody of Loch Lomond. You can hear a live recording of Willie's rendition over at the Kist o Riches.

Sheelicks (The Waddin o McGinnis til his Cross-Eyed Pet)

Composed by George Bruce Thomson (1864-1914), sung by Sandy Thomson

This song, again evoking the common Scots theme of the comic marriage, is one of George Bruce Thomson's many cornkister-tongue twister songs, and a favourite of bothy singers in the North-East.

Woo'd and Married an Aa

Traditional, performed by Jock Tamson's Bairns, 'May You Never Lack a Scone' (CDTRAX206) - appears courtesy of Greentrax

The bride in this song laments her meagre means and worries about her readiness to set up home with her new husband. Cue a timely reminder from the family about appreciating the truly important things in life and remembering that good things often have modest beginnings. Good advice in any age!