Couples looking to add something vintage but unique to their wedding
experience might want to consider adding a quaich ceremony to their plans. This involves a traditional
Scottish two-handled cup known as a quaich (from the Scottish Gaelic cuach
which means “cup”). While it is called a cup, I'd say it looks more
like a shallow bowl with two handles. It is sometimes called the “cup of
friendship” and often is referred to as the “love cup” but no matter what you call it, it brings a rich tradition to any wedding with a quaich ceremony. It can also be used at the reception for the couple to
take their first toast together and it makes a lovely keepsake to be handed down to future generations.
History of the quaich cup
The meaning behind the traditional quaich cup is not a legendary
love story like the German
Bridal Cup. What history we do have is permeated with myth and conjecture. What we do know is that its
original purpose was as a vessel to drink whiskey or brandy. Some say the invention
of cup was inspired by the fact that Highlanders drank a dram from scallop
shells before they had the quaich. Others date it back to the Celtic Druids who
are said to have used them in their ceremonies. The fact is, no one really
knows for sure.
Another thing we do know is that the original cups were much simpler than what we have today. They were carved from a single block of wood and were commonly offered to a visitor with a welcoming drink.
Another thing we do know is that the original cups were much simpler than what we have today. They were carved from a single block of wood and were commonly offered to a visitor with a welcoming drink.
Meaning of the quaich cup
Originally, the humble wooden quaich represented friendship.
So offering the cup to welcome a visitor was kind of like a handshake presented
by a clan chief or a crofter. But it was more than a handshake, because as the
cup was passed from one man to another it required them to use both hands. That meant they couldn’t be holding a weapon. It was a symbol of trust between fellow drinkers.
It wasn’t until the 17th century that goldsmiths started to craft quaich cups using precious metals. At this point, the shape of the cup was also adapted to be less clunky and daintier in order to suit the refined tastes of the upper classes of the Scottish Lowlands.
It wasn’t until the 17th century that goldsmiths started to craft quaich cups using precious metals. At this point, the shape of the cup was also adapted to be less clunky and daintier in order to suit the refined tastes of the upper classes of the Scottish Lowlands.
Quaich wedding ceremony
A simple quaich ceremony practiced at weddings taps into the use of
the quaich as a symbolic gesture of welcome to the drinker. One possibility is to first have the groom's parents hand the cup
to the bride. Then have the bride's parents hand it to the groom. As this is done, everyone takes a sip from the cup as a gesture of
welcoming new members to the family.
Some couples pass the quaich to the wedding party too as a symbol of everyone sharing in the happy couple's love and happiness. I suggest if you want to go that route, that you supply individual quaichs for each person to drink from. For a special touch, have them engraved with the date of the wedding and the couples’ names.
There isn't an exact script to follow or a specific practice when it comes to the quaich ceremony. If you are looking for more inspiration, the Argyll and Butte Council offers a wealth of ideas. If you plan to add the quaich ceremony to your wedding because you have Scottish ancestral roots, you might want to pair it with the handfasting ceremony as another strong cultural element that offers layers of symbolism and special meaning.
Some couples pass the quaich to the wedding party too as a symbol of everyone sharing in the happy couple's love and happiness. I suggest if you want to go that route, that you supply individual quaichs for each person to drink from. For a special touch, have them engraved with the date of the wedding and the couples’ names.
There isn't an exact script to follow or a specific practice when it comes to the quaich ceremony. If you are looking for more inspiration, the Argyll and Butte Council offers a wealth of ideas. If you plan to add the quaich ceremony to your wedding because you have Scottish ancestral roots, you might want to pair it with the handfasting ceremony as another strong cultural element that offers layers of symbolism and special meaning.
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Photo credits: Apie / CC BY-SA, By Robin-wood -
Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
