Irish weddings are rich in tradition and it’s no surprise that many couples today are looking to incorporate these beautiful customs into their ceremonies! It’s a wonderful way to honour the heritage and add a meaningful, personal touch to your Big Day. Today, we are taking a look at 5 unique Irish wedding traditions and how modern couples can incorporate these into their wedding ceremony.
Incorporating these Irish traditions into a wedding not only adds a sense of history and meaning but also creates a connection to the rich cultural heritage of Ireland. Whether you choose one or more of these rituals, each offers a beautiful way to celebrate your love and the journey ahead.
Featured image credit: Couple Photography
Handfasting
What it is: Handfasting is one of the oldest and most iconic Irish wedding rituals. It involves the couple’s hands being bound together with a ribbon, cord, or cloth, symbolising the union of their lives. The term “handfasting” comes from the old Irish custom of ‘binding the hands,’ and it was historically used as a type of trial marriage or engagement.
Why it’s meaningful: This ceremony is often seen as a symbol of commitment, where the couple’s hands are physically and spiritually joined. The ritual can take place during the ceremony, and the cord can be in the couple’s wedding colours or chosen for its symbolic meaning, such as a cord made of silk, wool, or even something passed down through generations.
How to include it: The celebrant or solemniser can lead the couple through the handfasting, with the couple making vows as their hands are tied together. Some couples also incorporate a personal element, such as having family members or friends tie the knots, representing the support of loved ones.
Related: What Is A Handfasting Ceremony?
Claddagh Rings
What it is: The Claddagh ring is an iconic Irish symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship. Featuring two hands holding a heart with a crown above it, the design represents the values of a loving partnership.
Why it’s meaningful: The Claddagh ring is a centuries-old tradition originating from the small Irish village of Claddagh, near Galway. It is said to bring good fortune and love to those who wear it.
How to include it: Many couples choose to exchange Claddagh rings as their wedding bands, or the couple might gift each other a Claddagh ring as part of their engagement or ceremony. The ring’s direction also has meaning: if worn with the heart facing outward, it signifies that the wearer’s heart is free; worn inward, it signifies that the wearer is in a committed relationship or married.
The Irish Wedding Bell
What it is: The Irish wedding bell is a charming tradition in which a small bell is rung to signify the newlyweds’ union. The bell is thought to bring good fortune, happiness, and harmony to the couple’s marriage.
Why it’s meaningful: Bells have long been symbols of blessings, and ringing them during the ceremony is said to ward off evil spirits and bring joy and prosperity to the couple.
How to include it: After the vows are exchanged, the couple or the celebrant can ring the wedding bell to seal the union. Some couples use a family heirloom bell or a specially crafted one that can be passed down through generations.
The Irish Wedding Blessing
What it is: The Irish Wedding Blessing is a beautiful, heartfelt poem that expresses wishes for the couple’s life together. It’s a traditional part of many Irish weddings, often read during the ceremony or at the reception.
Why it’s meaningful: The blessing conveys good wishes for love, happiness, and prosperity. It’s a timeless way to ask for God’s protection over the couple’s life together.
How to include it: The couple might have the blessing read by a close family member or friend, or it can be incorporated into the vows or at the end of the ceremony. Here’s an example of the blessing:
“May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
The Wedding Cup
What it is: The wedding cup, or “unity cup,” is an ancient Irish custom where the couple drinks from the same cup, often filled with wine or mead, symbolising the sharing of all things in their life together, both good and bad.
Why it’s meaningful: The act of drinking from a single cup represents the unity of the couple, the blending of their lives, and the promise to share all experiences. The wedding cup is often a beautiful chalice, sometimes passed down through family generations.
How to include it: During the ceremony, the couple can drink together from the chalice as a symbol of their union. The celebrant might say a few words before they do so, acknowledging the significance of the act and the vows they are making.
