So last we left off, Mr. Sword and I couldn’t decide on whether or not we should rent a kilt or have one custom made. Stressful times, baby.
But I’m happy to report that on our trip to Scotland, we were able to sit down, re-discuss the options, and look into the process of making our own.
And the conclusion is:
Our family tartan has been designed AND ordered. YAY!!
(insert applause and sigh of relief here)
We started the kilt designing process with much encouragement from American family and friends, but I was surprised when Mr. Sword’s friends were the ones who thought it was a little unnecessary and over the top. I guess it makes sense; their culture doesn’t buy into the crazy, big weddings that we do on this side of the pond, and while they are all so excited to come to the wedding, they are just being practical and I totally understand that.
But since making a family tartan was creeping its way up to the top of Mr. Sword’s priority list (thanks to lots of talking and both sets of parents contributing to the overall wedding budget), one night we sat down at the computer to check things out. We were lucky enough to find a website that not only let us pick our colors but also let us arrange each color at different widths. We decided to follow a pattern we liked so that our tartan had a good chance of looking somewhat normal. Our colors were taken from the wedding theme, and I’m thrilled with the result.
Once the kilt was designed, Mr. Sword went online to register it. We discovered that we can’t use Mr. Sword’s surname because your clan/family name would have to be registered by the the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh, and that is usually reserved for historic family clans that already have tartans. It makes sense—we can’t just claim a tartan for every person with that last name, but we CAN make it specific to our branch of Mr. Sword’s last name. The woman at the Scottish Register of Tartans suggested we use both of our last names with a hyphen in between. So not only will my new last name be associated with the kilt but also my maiden name—pretty cool, right?
After the kilt and all of its pieces were ordered, we had to start the waiting game. You can’t rush authentically woven tartans, after all!
For now, I am really excited and here’s why:
Without further ado, HERE IS OUR NEW FAMILY TARTAN:
Hislastname-Mylastname
(photo is a personal design using software on Scotweb)
Unfortunately, it’s a small picture and it’s nearly impossible to see all the different lines of color, but the majority of the tartan alternates between a dark purple and a forest green. I’m sooo curious to see how the colors look in person!
What do you think of our tartan? Is anyone else ordering something really fancy for their groom?
That is SO cool, Miss Sword. I think it’s awesome that you designed your own tartan. What a great way to have something NEW at the start of your life together. I wonder if I could convince Mr. Ly that he needs a kilt and we need our own tartan…. Lol!
Thats awesome!
I was a competitive highland dancer for many years before University, and I remember how expensive kilts were. I think back then, my dancing kilt (it might have more fabric to swing more than a regular man’s kilt) was close to $700.
Is he wearing the hose (socks to the knee in the matching tartan) as well?
He’s going to look spiffy!
That’s so neat! What an awesome way to join your cultures!
@Miss Lyre: Thanks girl! I’m so happy how it turned out! haha, totally try to convince him! 
@Miss Eagle: Wow, that’s really neat! Yep, he has the hose too!
Ooooh! I’m excited to see it in real life (on photos, of course).
This is awesome.. it sounds so special to have this designed for your wedding. I can only imagine how it’ll be when your kids wear it one day.
Yay! Thats so awesome! I can’t wait to see how it turns out! On a semi related note, you might find this amusing since you are also a nanny. The little boy I watch asked for a pink skirt for christmas so his parents got him a pink kilt! It’s so cute and he looks like a trendy little Scottish boy every time he wears it.
I’m so happy you ordered one, that will be such a great family heirloom!
This is so cool, I can’t wait to see what your new family tartan looks like!
I think its silly that you went to such expense to invent a tartan out of thin air. Usually the colors and pattern have significance and history behind the tartan. Your significance is what? You thought those colors were “pretty”? Or was it more that as an American you had to invent an identity?
I think it’s really neat that you’re able to do this, not only for yourselves, but for your family.
@guest: Wow– so much judgment in that post! I think the way money is spent is such an issue of personal preference, especially when it comes to weddings, that it is futile and petty to judge others’ decisions. After all, most people (and I would guess most of us that read wedding blogs!) make decisions to spend time and money on customs, item, and elements that others might not see as important or necessary. Think the huge variations in cost of wedding dresses, type of alcohol served, attendant gifts, favors, decoration, etc– to each his own!
Miss Sword– power to you for picking your priorities and going with your gut
As I understand it, that’s what comments are for – expressing individual opinions. Miss S has a tough skin, otherwise she wouldnt put herself out there. I do feel like too often people just blindly say “how wonderful” in the comments versus providing any meaningful feedback. You’re right tho, it really is incredible how differently individuals feel about what’s worth the bucks, and it is all about preference in the end.
@Mrs. Castle- that is SO cute! what a great idea!
@guest- You’re absolutely entitled to your opinion. I do not feel any need to invent an identity for myself, I love my Scandinavian heritage and who I am as a person! For Mr. Sword and I, this was about the future, not recreating the past.
@Ana- you’re awesome. and you make a great point!
@Miss Sword: Love your perspective – the tartan being about the future for you guys as a family. The symbolism is beautiful.
(ps if you hit reply on the comment, then it links it up and you don’t have to type out the “@” part).
I think it is pretty awesome that you and Mr. Sword now have your own family tartan. It is such a great way to tie your cultures together, and celebrate your family. My friend in high school had family pictures with them all wearing their tartan. I thought it was really cool then, and I still do now.
@Miss Eagle: Seriously Miss Eagle, YOU READ MY MIND. This computer-illiterate bee thanks you. Thank you for the comment, we are excited!
@Mrs. Genie: Thanks Miss Genie!
I had no idea you could design a custom tartan! I love the colors you picked for it!
Mrs. Sword, Chicago Age and Occupation: 28, Nanny/Actress Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Software Engineer Engagement Date: February 19, 2012 Wedding Date: March 2013 Venue: Embassy Suites Bloomington West in Bloomington, MN About Me: I am a true girly-girl originally from the great state of Minnesota and my fiancé hails from the beautiful country of Scotland. We met and fell in love in our favorite city, Chicago, and are having a blast blending our cultures for "A Highland Fairy Tale" wedding! We are truly a case of opposites attract in that he’s a world traveling introvert and I’m a social butterfly who is never too far from home. We both love hanging out with family and friends, fine dining, and laughing at ourselves. He drinks a lot of beer and I talk too much. We wouldn’t have it any other way!
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