December Wedding in Scotland. Guest staying warm in church.

[Megsdaughter]

Going to a wedding in Stirling in December. Got my dress, a Nobodys Child fitted burgandy and red long sleeve midi dress.
What would you put over it for the actual Church Service? I cant imagine the church will be that warm.
I have a charcoal colour wool fitted coat that is midi length, or would I be better with some sort of shawl?

I think I'd take a coat and frankly probably wear a long sleeved thermal top under the dress. I don't think I'd be assuming a shawl would be sufficient. However, some churches are surprisingly warm - I dressed assuming it would be freezing for an event in January and the church had remarkably effective heaters and I had to strip some layers off.

I'd just wear the coat.

And never in 45 years of living in Scotland have I known anyone wear thermals to a wedding! 😂

Oh i live in Stirling wont be too nosey about which Church but it is beautiful here anyway I would wear your coat. Just incase you are also standing about for photos.

December may not be so cold in Scotland. February and March can be bitterly cold.

I also wouldn't wear thermals, you will literally stew in your dress.

Thank You, i dont know which church it is to be honest. Havnt seen the invite ( it us a close family wedding so we have known the date and everything since last Christmas.)
We are travelling up from the South Coast so the weather will no doubt feel a lot colder to us. 😁

Tbf it can be quite mild here in December it isn't roasting or anything but not as cold as you imagine, it can be wet though so bring an umbrella.

Unless it’s a cathedral ( Paisley Abbey or similar) it should be warm enough during the actual ceremony.
Outside may be a different story so definitely bring a brolly.

Most churches here have heating so I don’t imagine you’ll be too cold inside. Just wear your coat and take it off when you get to the reception. Enjoy!

I live in thermals all winter but I'm a naturally chilly person so I'm clearly a bit biased! Obviously I wouldn't wear anything to a wedding that would be visible but I would way rather have something warm and take it off if necessary than spend a 10-12 hour day too cold.

I’m not clear how you would know whether anyone is wearing thermals under their clothes. I’m always chilly, in the winter months almost always have some sort of thermal top and bottom on under my clothes, here and in Scotland. Some are very fine, others much thicker.

They are definably not visible so how would you know?

I'd wear the coat and also have a cardigan or shawl in case of being properly chilly. As you don't know how warm/cold you'll find the venues it makes sense to have layers you can remove without a trip to a washroom.

I like a thin merino cardigan for this sort of situation - it can be hidden under one's 'official' outer layer (coat, blazer, whatever) and removed and stashed in a cloakroom or bag if you get to hot - or become your top layer.

What do you think of something like this …

A wool or fake fur coat is what everyone wears IME.

I was at a Scottish wedding in the central belt in July and had to wear a raincoat. It was so misty we could hardly see the bride and groom…. The next day of course was a clear 25 degrees.

I’m not keen on capes like the one depicted, but if you are, I noticed that TK Maxx have several options online at the moment.

Scottish weddings are usually pretty short (about 30 mins) unless it’s an RC service.

If it’s a modem church with central heating you might be ok but you will need a coat for the walk to and from the church.

If it’s an old church then even if it has some heating you’ll need a coat for the service.

Scottish receptions tend to be very energetic with ceilidh dancing so thermals would be a bad idea.

Sitrling is beautiful so I’m sure you will have a wonderful time.

PS obviously bring a brolly.

Link to the dress?

Thermals would be a pita to remove and you definitely won’t want them on indoors, especially if you’re going to be dancing.

A short faux fur jacket and suede gloves
might be nice.