Grant & Helen, alongside their mums, performed the ‘cog’ symbolic gesture at their Dalduff Farm humanist wedding
Photo credit: Euan Robertson Weddings
What is a Wedding Cog?
The Orcadian Wedding Cog, often simply referred to as “the cog”, is a traditional wooden drinking vessel hailing from Orkney. Much like the Scottish quaich, it holds a special place in many Orcadian celebrations, particularly weddings. Beautifully handcrafted and typically made of wood, the cog is filled with a potent punch and passed around the room, bringing guests together in a powerful display of unity and celebration.
At a humanist wedding, incorporating the cog can add a deeply meaningful and warm sense of community, joy, and togetherness to your ceremony.
The Symbolism & History
In Scotland, it’s tradition to toast friendship and love with an Orcadian Cog – a circular, hand-crafted wooden vessel with tall handles, once a key part of old island weddings. Couples would carry it from guest to guest, sharing a celebratory drink.
Its roots lie deep in Orkney’s culture, with a history believed to stretch back centuries. The name likely comes from the Old Norse koggr, meaning a small ship or container – a nod to the islands’ maritime past.
Traditionally filled with a rich mix of whisky, beer, sugar, and spices, the cog’s recipe was often a closely guarded family secret. Today, many couples personalise it with their favourite drinks – from gin and tonic to prosecco or alcohol-free blends – keeping the spirit of the custom alive in their own way.
Grant & Helen’s Cog Ceremony
One couple who chose to include this powerful symbol in their day were Grant and Helen, who were married in a personal and heartfelt humanist wedding ceremony led by our wonderful Fuze Ceremonies humanist celebrant, Nancy Braid.
As they stood side by side, ready to seal their vows, Nancy explained the story behind the Orcadian Cog to their gathered guests – sharing its significance and long-standing role in Scottish island weddings.
Instead of the traditional whisky punch, Grant and Helen opted for a fine Scottish gin paired with a locally produced tonic – a nod to both tradition and personal taste. Their ceremony took on an extra layer of meaning when their mothers, Shona and Marianne, were invited to come forward and give their blessing.
In a beautifully symbolic moment, both mums poured their chosen liquids into the cog, blending them together to represent the joining of their two families. As Grant and Helen held the vessel, Nancy reminded them that their love made them stronger – and that the partnership they were entering would carry them through life’s triumphs and challenges.
Each then took a sip from the cog, sealing the promises they were about to make. The joy didn’t end there – later in the day, the cog made another appearance at the reception, where it was passed among their guests in the spirit of friendship, unity, and celebration.
Grant & Helen’s ‘cog’ was later shared around their guests
Our Personal Connection
At Fuze Ceremonies, we love celebrating the uniqueness of each couple’s story. For many with ties to Orkney or the Northern Isles, the wedding cog is a beautiful way to honour their roots. Whether it’s shared during the humanist ceremony like Grant and Helen’s, or introduced as part of the evening festivities, the cog brings people together in a moment of laughter, warmth, and connection.
Some couples have their cog specially commissioned or engraved with their names and wedding date – turning it into a treasured keepsake of their day. Others create a bespoke recipe to reflect their personalities or region. However it’s incorporated, it’s always memorable – and always meaningful.
As a team of experienced Scottish humanist celebrants, we love helping couples bring these unique touches to life.
A Toast to Love and Community
“Let us raise the cog, as generations before us have done – to love, laughter, and shared stories. May each sip bring joy, each glance bring warmth, and each moment remind us that we are stronger when we come together.”
Add our smiles to yours
No two couples are the same so no two ceremonies should be the same. At Fuze we work alongside our couples to make their humanist wedding ceremony script is unique, personal and bespoke. It’s your day your way with us, so let us add our smiles to yours. To check Nancy and all of our amazing celebrant’s live availability for your special date click here!
Blog written by: Nancy Braid, Fuze Celebrant
