St. Patrick's Day Irish Wedding Traditions
Written by Stephanie Padovani Friday, 19 March 2010 17:26
St. Patrick's Day Irish Wedding Traditions
Couples getting married on or around St. Patty's Day may wish to incorporate some Irish traditions in the wedding day. Or maybe you just want an extra helping of the luck o' the Irish on your big day?
Try these Irish wedding traditions on for size...
Aitin' the Gander Immediately before the wedding, the bride's family invites the groom over for dinner and cooks him a goose. Add a pint of Guinness and it's one heck of a party.
Walking to the Church The Irish bride and groom walked to the church together while friends and family cheer them on, tossing rice...along with pots, pans and other loose objects. Make sure you've got good reflexes if you try this one.
Once the groom is safely inside the doors of the church it is an Irish tradition for guests to lock them behind him; apparently Irish grooms have a history of cold feet.
Claddagh Wedding Bands Irish couples often choose traditional Celtic Claddagh rings the symbolic heart held by two hands and topped with a crown, as their wedding bands.
The placement of the ring on a lady's finger announces her availability. Unmarried ladies wear the Claddagh on their right hand, heart facing outward if she is available and heart facing downward if her heart is taken. Married ladies wear the ring on their left hand.
Irish Wedding Vows Exchange the Irish wedding vow: "By the power that Christ brought from heaven, mayst thou love me. As the sun follows its course, mayst thou follow me. As light to the eye, as bread to the hungry, as joy to the heart, may thy presence be with me, oh one that I love, 'til death comes to part us asunder."
Irish Wedding Coin At the ceremony, the groom gives his bride a silver coin and says, "I give you this as a token of all I possess."
Go Green What better way to go Irish than to use green in your bridal colors? Kelly green is beautiful for spring or you can opt for a softer moss. Go hard core Irish with the colors green, white and gold.
The Dress An Irish bride carries a handkerchief, the "magic hanky," on her wedding day that will later be stitched into a christening bonnet for her baby. She might also wear traditional Irish lace.
The Bouquet English lavender symbolizing love, devotion and purity is used in the wedding flowers and a shamrock may be tucked in for extra luck.
Kilts The groom and his groomsmen dress in kilts, traditionally worn without undergarments. *grin*
The Marriage or Make Up Bell Irish couples are given a bell as a wedding present. When the couple gets into an argument, either of them may ring the bell to resolve the disagreement without assigning blame.
I don't know if it works, but it sure beats modern therapy.
Irish Music There are many beautiful Irish wedding songs and Celtic arrangements available for the ceremony. Bagpipes and pipe and drum bands add an impressive tribute to Irish heritage. Traditional Irish drinking songs are great for the reception and you might even throw in some contemporary Irish rock like the Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly.
Irish Dancers Inviting some Irish step dancers to your wedding is traditional and fun. You might ask them to come in full costume to hand out programs at the ceremony and have them dance at the reception later on.
The Irish Grushie The bride and groom toss coins to their wedding guests. This is said to bring good luck and prosperity to their marriage.
Serve Mead Serve mead, traditional wine made from honey, to guests at the reception. Irish newlyweds then drink it daily for the next month to keep away the evil fairies; this is where the term "honeymoon" comes from.
Irish Wedding Toast The bride and groom lead a toast, "Friends and relatives, so fond and dear, 'tis our greatest pleasure to have you here. When many years this day has passed, fondest memories will always last. So we drink a cup of Irish mead and ask God's blessing in your hour of need." And the guests respond, "On this special day, our wish to you, the goodness of the old, the best of the new. God bless you both who drink this mead, may it always fill your every need."
Good Luck Charms Irish traditions are full of superstitions to guarantee good luck. Traditionally a bride might tuck a lucky horseshoe into her bouquet. You can modify this tradition by stitching a horseshoe onto your gown or working horseshoes into your theme. It is also considered good luck for a bride to braid her hair.
Of course, the ultimate good luck charm for any bride and groom: get married on St. Patrick's Day!
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