For this groom, finding the right outfit began with his venue’s rustic, relaxed vibe – and ended with a bespoke kilt from Dumfries’s Anderson Kilts that matched it completely
Photography | Lakeland Media
James married Emma at Yew Tree Farm in the Lake District on 12th July 2025, wearing an Auld Scotland (Selkirk Tweed) handmade kilt with a mocha tweed Crail jacket and waistcoat from Anderson Kilts.
Now he shares a first-hand account of his groomswear shopping experience and doesn't leave out any details...
Why a Scottish kilt was the obvious choice for my wedding
"I grew up near Liverpool but I’ve been living in Scotland for over a decade now, so from the moment Emma and I got engaged, one thing felt completely non-negotiable: I was wearing a kilt.
"Emma is Scottish, I’m English, and the kilt felt like the perfect way to honour both where we’re from and the life we’ve built together. The only question was how to get it right."
"We met in our second year at the University of Edinburgh and have been together ever since. Selkirk was the first place we lived together post-university, before eventually moving closer to Emma’s family near Dumfries.
"When it came to choosing a venue for our wedding, the Lake District was an easy decision. Coniston has always been special to us and we go every summer, and Yew Tree Farm felt immediately like us – relaxed, rustic and full of character."
How our venue influenced my wedding outfit
"The search for my kilt really began once the venue was confirmed, around a year before the wedding. We wanted something that felt grounded in the landscape – natural, earthy tones that would sit comfortably in the barn and the surrounding scenery.
"Anderson Kilts in Dumfries was an obvious starting point. I’d hired my graduation kilt there years earlier, and Emma had even bought my sgian dubh there as a graduation gift, so it already felt familiar and personal.
"By the time the wedding came around, Emma’s dad, brother, uncle and nephews were all sourcing their outfits from Anderson’s too – it genuinely felt like a family operation."
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My first kilt fitting: what to expect
"I went into the first appointment feeling pretty relaxed. I’d worn a kilt before, so at least I knew how to put it on – unlike my brother and best man Rob, who marched out of the changing room wearing his completely back to front.
"The resulting fit check descended into total laughter and instantly set the tone for the whole process. Even though we hadn’t finalised fabrics yet, walking out in a kilt for the first time felt surprisingly emotional. It was the moment it really clicked that this was the garment I’d be wearing when I saw Emma walk down the aisle.
"The real turning point came when I tried on Anderson’s mocha-coloured tweed Crail jacket. I’d assumed I’d end up in something safe like grey or black, but the moment our consultant Thomas suggested I put it on, everything changed."
"The warmth of the brown felt perfectly suited to the barn and the Lake District setting. From there, it was about finding the right tartan to complete the look.
"We eventually chose an Auld Scotland tartan in Selkirk Tweed – Selkirk, of course, being a place that means a lot to us. A spontaneous visit to the mill and seeing where the fabric would be woven made the whole thing feel incredibly meaningful."
How I styled my Auld Scotland wedding kilt
"From there the oatmeal socks, brown brogues, sporran and fly plaid (my favourite detail) simply fell into place, largely thanks to Thomas’s patience and honest advice.
"He wasn’t a ‘yes man’, Thomas at Anderson Kilts was genuinely invested in making sure the final outfit was absolutely right."
"He understood our rustic theme and went above and beyond for us – indulging our countless fittings and guiding us through the entire handmade kilt weaving process. The whole look was a major upgrade from my usual fleeces and odd socks.
"The kilt was sophisticated, and perfectly complemented our wedding day and I have to give credit to the team at Anderson’s (and of course my wife Emma) for making it happen."
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Expert advice from Anderson Kilts
“It was a pleasure helping James put together his wedding outfit,” Anderson Kilts sales consultant Thomas says.
“He chose an Auld Scotland kilt paired with a brown mocha and red start jacket – a standout look that tied in perfectly with the wedding’s colour theme.
“The rest of the wedding party complemented his outfit in hired Weathered MacRae outfits with matching brown tweed crail jackets.
“With several fittings and appointments in the lead up to the big day, James made sure every detail was just right, resulting in a look that was both personal and stylish.”
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