IRISH WEDDING TRADITIONS:

Weddings are a good opportunity to meaningfully honor the customs of the past. There are many great traditions that can easily be incorporated into contemporary ceremonies and celebrations for couples with ties to Ireland. Michelle Johnstone Clark of Waterlily Weddings, who specializes in destination weddings in Ireland, puts together some wonderful customs to add a charming Irish flavor to any ceremony. I wrote this article based on Irish wedding tradition with a link explaining the Waterlily wedding in Ireland. I was personally inspired by this topic because I was inspired by Irish tradition and especially their traditional music and Irish dance. The dancing bride and father are a pure treat for your eyes and a sense of being together as a community (together).

The groom wears a full formal kilt dress during traditional Irish weddings. The groom's attire is likely to include a Brian Boru jacket (named after the Irish warrior monarch), a white tux shirt with a bow tie, knee socks with ribbons in their tartan color, Sporran with shamrock accents, and Ghillie Brogue shoes.

Pre-Wedding Traditions - HANDS - TYING THE KNOTS - An old Celtic custom called handfasting involved tying the hands of the betrothed long before their wedding day. It's comparable to getting involved in that both people have to decide if they really want to commit. Symbols for Irish Weddings - The Claddagh, the Celtic Cross, and the Celtic Knot are at least three easily recognizable Celtic symbols that are often used in Celtic weddings (including the Triquetra or Trinity Knot). Irish wedding custom: blue wedding dress; traditional wedding colors; A traditional Irish bride wore a blue instead of a white wedding dress. Before white became the default symbol for virginity, this color was once a representation of purity.

1. Make a knot

It has its origins in prehistoric Ireland and was the first Irish wedding ritual. This ritual involves tying the couple's hands together with rope, ribbon or lace to symbolize their marriage and their bond, which will only grow stronger, especially under pressure. It is presided over by a person of great standing in the community, such as a druid, poet, or bard. This ritual often took place in conjunction with important Irish holidays such as Lunasa, during which engaged young people exchanged "love knots" in preparation for marriage.

And thanks in large part to the British royal family, this wedding custom has not only survived but flourished. In 2011, Kate and William's opulent wedding ceremony included Handfasting. It's also the most common request Michelle receives from couples planning their Irish wedding ceremony. I really appreciate that you can customize it, she continues, mentioning that the bride and groom can choose certain colors for the ribbons or cords that are used. For a couple who has children, this is also an easy way to include the children in the ceremony. The ribbons are placed over the couple's hands individually, so Michelle says you can let them choose the colors to make one of the ribbons.

Water Lilies Weddings states that -Many of our clients contact us looking for keepsakes to add to their hand tie ribbons; a brooch or charm, such as this gorgeous sterling silver and diamond Trinity Knot, are lasting reminders of the ceremony, adding a little sparkle to this charming tradition.

2. Integrate Uilleann pipes and Irish music

The Uilleann pipes are a more traditional Irish instrument, although many people might identify them with Ireland. According to Michelle, they have better range and are quieter and sweeter. In certain respects, they resemble a cousin of the Scottish bagpipes. They have a very distinctive tone and complement the event beautifully.

"Imagine you're in a castle garden or a stunning ancient Irish cathedral. While you all wait impatiently, the bride enters to the music of the uilleann pipes, which you automatically associate with being Irish. It's a pretty amazing custom. We might add that in the house there won't be a dry eye, uilleann pipes have a lot of emotion!

3. Always carry a lace handkerchief

An Irish bride usually wears a lace handkerchief on her wedding day, which is then transformed into a bonnet for the christening of the couple's first child. It's a pretty straightforward but beautiful custom, says Michelle. It is incredibly beautiful that a handkerchief can be passed down from generation to generation. Naturally, Ireland has a long history with lace.

The handkerchief can be embroidered with the date of the wedding and the initials or names of the bride and groom. Another keepsake for the happy couple and a lovely little detail for pictures on the big day.

4. Put the Sixpence in the shoe

Being superstitious, the Irish have several customs aimed at good luck and warding off evil spirits. According to tradition, a sixpence will bring the bride luck and success in marriage. Michelle explains. In the past, a guy would give his lady some change and put it in her shoe. Nowadays, many Irish brides choose to pay homage to the custom by sticking a coin to the bottom of their shoes!

5. Get your lucky horseshoe

A horseshoe, like a sixpence, was believed to bring luck to a woman on her wedding. Although if a real iron horseshoe doesn't quite fit the attractive wedding decor, this outdated tradition can be easily updated. Some brides choose to include a charm-style horseshoe, one made of porcelain or fabric, or both, in their wedding bouquet. Michelle explains. "To continue the custom, they wrap Irish lace around the flower stems and sew a small horseshoe into the lace. Alternatively, they may pin it to the inside of their dress and wear it on a pin. If the bride is wearing a garter, some will include a horseshoe in it.

6. Wedding rings with an Irish meaning

There are many beautiful and charming Irish symbols that are suitable for an Irish wedding. Just two examples are the Celtic Knot and the Claddagh.

Claddagh rings have been traded in Ireland for generations. According to legend, the Claddagh arms, crown, and heart stand for friendship, love, and loyalty. The Claddagh ring was first given as a wedding gift and is still a very popular wedding ring today. This ring has been modified to fit the band, making it more adaptable and compatible with the Claddagh engagement ring.

The Claddagh can be worn by the bride as earrings, a necklace, or a bracelet.

Irish knot

The traditional Irish design centers around the mysterious Celtic knot. Our Celtic Knot rings are influenced by the myriad patterns seen on the bold stone crosses that stand on our hills or in the pages of our old books. In particular, the Celtic lovers' knot, which means eternal love, is an ideal emblem for a wedding ring.

Because of how appropriate this symbolism is, many of the couples they've worked with have made Celtic knots a part of their weddings, using them in stationery, jewelry, handfasting's, and even as bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts.

7. Drink honey wine before your honeymoon

The term "honeymoon" comes from the Irish custom of roasting mead and honey wine. Although not often provided at contemporary Irish weddings, many second and third-generation couples still follow the tradition today, according to Michelle.

8. Irish Custom Wedding Cake

Today, Irish weddings often have cakes of many flavors and types, but the traditional wedding cake is a fruit cake. As it is another tradition to keep a small piece to eat during the christening of their first child, Irish couples often choose to have at least one layer of this dense and rich cake prepared. But not everyone will like this pie, so if you don't like it, you can always update the recipe and still keep the taste of the original savory pie.

They encourage us to check out their own Irish Wedding Cake recipe for more information as it mixes the flavors of a traditional cake with a lighter texture that makes it a little easier to enjoy while dancing and celebrating the big day.

9. Celebrate in Ireland

Of course, one way to ensure you have an Irish wedding is to center your celebration in Ireland!

Have you ever dreamed of a destination wedding in Ireland? Waterlily Weddings helps couples from all over the world to have the 'perfect wedding day in Ireland'. Check out their gallery for inspiration!

50 years in business (weddings with water lilies)

It has been their honor to help so many beautiful couples find their perfect Irish wedding rings over the years.

They are delighted with the real connection to Ireland and the beautiful symbolism of our designs. And of course, we're here if you have any questions about your own wedding plans, our Irish or Celtic wedding bands, engagement rings, wedding jewelry, or gifts for your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Work Referred:

Vipond, Ciaran. " Nine Irish Wedding Traditions to Include on Your Big Day. " Nine Irish Wedding Traditions to Include on Your Big Day, 4 Sept. 2019, www.myirishjeweler.com/blog/6-irish-wedding-traditions-to-itclude-in-your-ceremony/.

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