There is an art to every wedding celebration. And, as with any other art, different interpretations are adopted all over the world depending on location, era and history.
We recently came across a mention in a book where a character gifted another a bunch of pennies before their wedding noting that it was an old Scottish tradition symbolic of community and good fortune for the couple.
Naturally, we had to find out what exactly was this tradition, if it was one, was and more about its inception.
While we couldn’t find another example like the book set in modern times, we did come across some information on the origins of a penny wedding in Scotland.
Much like in any community, marriages are a life event that is celebrated. And when a community is small, these celebrations tend to involve everyone. While large, lush gatherings may be more popular and common today, nuptials in rural areas of countries like Scotland in the 1700’s might include the whole community, but it wasn’t necessarily the most grand of affairs.
“Penny Weddings” originated as members of these communities would come together to help the couple pay for their wedding, which included cooking food for the celebration or donating in the form of a penny (we also saw note of a schilling). With everyone contributing, the couple – who may not have been able to afford entertainment or to feed everyone included – was able to have a party worthy of the moment.
We also found it mentioned that sometimes these parties would last for days, with people showing up nonstop to the point where a couple might even turn a nice profit at the conclusion of the events. With that said, the extra pennies collected during the party were then given to the couple to help set up their home following the payout from their big day.
Today, it’s suggested that people still celebrate Penny Weddings in their own way, but typically keep it to a minimal celebration with community members potentially contributing food or paying for their own food and drink, restaurant or venue where the celebration is taking place.
Whether or not a person would still gift a penny as a symbolic gesture today, along with an actual gift (it is the 21st century), there’s something beautiful about the art of a wedding transcending generations with new interpretations as the years change.
It also seems, no matter what generation, the penny will always be in fashion.
