Of all weddings that incorporate cultural traditions, the Irish culture is perhaps the most drawn upon. Several million people in the United States alone call themselves Irish and many of them choose to honor this heritage during their wedding ceremony.
Irish weddings are very religious and traditional. Often Celtic knots are incorporated into the wedding by being pictured on programs and invitations. Celtic knots are symbols of a never-ending bond, as the Celtic knot has no beginning and no end.
Another symbol that is most often used is the Irish Claddagh. The Claddagh is perhaps one of the oldest traditions in Irish culture, dating back as early as the 17th century. The Claddagh is traditionally a ring. For the Irish bride, it is often her wedding ring. The symbol is a heart being held by two hands, the heart topped with a crown. The hands represent faith, the crown signifies honor and the heart symbolizes love. However, it is important that the ring be worn correctly.
Irish tradition states that if the Claddagh ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing outward towards the end of her finger, she is stating that she is a single woman. If the ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing inward, she is signifying that she is engaged. If the Claddagh is worn on the left hand, it means that the woman is married.
Though it clashes with the saying that it’s bad luck to see your betrothed before the wedding, an old Irish tradition calls for the couple to walk to the church together before the ceremony. In olden days, as they walked down the main street, onlookers would not only throw rice to bless the marriage, but would throw larger items, such as pots and pans for the couple’s future home.
For an Irish bride, it is tradition for her to braid her hair for the wedding day. The braid is not only meant to bring good luck, but it symbolizes the strength of women and is a reflection of the bride’s feminine power.
Traditionally, an Irish bride would wear a blue wedding gown, instead of a white one. Before 1499, the color blue was a symbol of purity. However, the color white was later chosen because it was a symbol of purity as well as virginity.
Lavender flowers usually have some place in an Irish wedding, as it is an ancient symbol of love, loyalty, devotion and luck. Often, these were presented by the bride’s parents or they were mixed in with the bride’s bouquet. However, they can be incorporated in table decorations as well as bouquets.
Not surprisingly, to be married on St. Patrick’s Day is to ensure your “happily ever after” among the Irish people. It is considered the luckiest wedding anniversary a couple could have. Tradition states that it is bad luck to be married in May, but good luck to be married in April.
Traditionally, the bride and groom drink mead at the reception. Mead is a honey wine and one of the oldest drinks in Ireland. Tradition states that the mead promotes virility, but was also meant to be drank for a month following the wedding to protect the bride from fairies — which is where we get the word honeymoon!
Often, Irish brides incorporate a horseshoe into their wedding. Rather than use real horseshoes as traditional brides did, you can get a small porcelain horseshoe to attach to your bouquet. Just make sure the ends are turned up “so the luck won’t run out!”
Another tradition sees a bride carrying a special hanky, specifically designed so that, with a little stitching, it can be turned into a christening bonnet for her first child. A few snips and that bonnet can be turned back into a hanky for that child to carry on his/her wedding day.
In Irish culture, the sound of bells is meant to keep evil spirits away, bring peace if the couple is fighting and to remind the couple of their wedding vows. This can be incorporated into your wedding by purchasing tiny bells to hand out to your guests. These can then be rang as you exit the church. (You may want to write this down in your program, so that your guests not only understand the tradition, but know when they’re supposed to use the bells.)
Finally, it wouldn’t be an Irish wedding without a little Irish superstition!
It is considered lucky to be awakened by singing birds on your wedding morning.
It is good luck if a happily married woman puts on your wedding veil for you, but bad luck if you do it yourself.
If you look at the sun as you leave for your wedding, your children will be beautiful
Irish Wedding Traditions, WorldWeddingTraditions.com
Irish Wedding Traditions, Ireland-Information.com
