Planning an Irish wedding? Skip the cliche green dress and use these authentic Irish wedding traditions to transport your guests to a Celtic wedding wonderland! Here are some of my favorite authentic traditions that will also compliment modern wedding trends, traditions, and fashion!
Irish Wedding Tradition #1: Five/Six Pence
According to tradition a silver sixpence was placed in the bride's left shoe as a symbol of happiness, joy, finances, etc. If a sixpence is not available a five pence can be supplemented.
Irish Wedding Tradition #3: Wishing Stones
When traditional Irish weddings were held by the water, guests would each make a wish for happiness on a stone and toss them into the water. Blogger, Mrs. Cola on WeddingBee, added a creative twist on this tradition by incorporating it with the wedding guest book. She suggests having wedding guests sign the stones with their well wishes and drop them into a vase of water. After the wedding you can use the stones for various decorating projects around your home.
Irish Wedding Tradition #3:. Horse Shoe
A horseshoe, when held up right (yes, the picture is not perfectly upright but it is beautiful), represents luck, don't tip it upside or its believed your luck will run out! Today's brides will supplement a full size horse shoe for a simple pendant or a charm pinned to the bouquet. However, at Floral Design by Jacqueline Ahne, a horse shoe can be the base for an unique cascade wedding bouquet:
Irish Wedding Tradition #4: Symbolic Flowers in The bouquet
- Bells of Ireland - Luck for the new couple!
- Daisy - Innocence and Beauty of the bride.
- Forget-Me-Not - True love...
- Gardenia - Secret Love...
- Ivy - Fidelity in the marriage.
- Laurel - Success in the couple's new life together!
- Lavender - Devotion...
- Lilly - Passion and purity in love.
- Lilly of the Valley - Sweetness of love.
- Peony - Honor one another.
- Primrose - Eternal love in the new marriage
- Rose - Passion and joy for the new couple.
- Shamrocks - A sprig of Shamrock in the bride's bouquet brings good luck.
Irish Wedding Tradition #5: Flower Wreath
Skip the veil or compliment it with a traditional wreath of flowers in your hair! Bride, Cliona chose a simple baby's breath wreath to compliment her veil in her wedding to Conor. Their beautiful wedding was featured on OneFabDay.com and photographed by Pawel Bebenca and it was lovely!
Irish Wedding Tradition #6: The Wedding Bell
Also referred to as the "Make-Up Bell", this bell was presented to the couple on their wedding day and rung during the ceremony. After the wedding the couple will ring the bell during marital arguments to remind them of the love and joy they felt on their wedding day.
Irish Wedding Tradition #7: Coin Presentation
On their wedding day a groom gives his bride a new coin and says “I give you this as a token of all I possess.” Simple, sweet, and meaningful.
Irish Wedding Tradition #8: Oatmeal and Salt
According to legend if the couple eats oatmeal and salt on the wedding morning they will be protected from evil spirits. However, you may want to bake it into a cookie as a nice breakfast treat!
Irish Wedding Tradition #9: Meade Toast In Place of Champagne
Made from honey, mead is the beverage that coined the term 'honeymoon.' A Meade toast is a way to wish the couple well on their future together.
Irish Wedding Tradition #10: Irish Lace
Not only is lace a popular choice in today's wedding fashion but its also important to Irish tradition. If you are not a fan of lace gowns try a lace jacket like the ones featured on the IrishLaceMuseum website or use an Irish lace handkerchief.
Irish Wedding Tradition #11: The Bride's Handkerchief
Irish brides traditionally pin a lace handkerchief inside their wedding dress, around the bouquet, or carry one in the wedding purse, which has been embroidered with her initials and the wedding date. Later the handkerchief is used as a bonnet for the couple's first born's Christening.
Irish Wedding Tradition #12: A Blue Dress!
Forget about white, the traditional Irish wedding dress color is blue! Lucky for you wedding gowns with color are very popular today. After doing some extensive research I really prefer Lazaro's blue wedding gowns! The collection ranges from subtle blue flowers, for a more modern-traditional look, to full cascading blue tulle...lots of options!
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