At our homeland, as it is in other countries, there is an abundance of Irish wedding customs and traditions surrounding the rite of marriage. Some are well known, such as the bride carrying a horseshoe in her bouquet for luck, or the placing of a piece of wedding cake under a pillow at night for a dream of a future spouse.
Others, however, have been subtly absorbed into everyday practice and are no longer recognised as having been a part of marriages long ago. For example, the clinking of champagne glasses at a reception and the tying of tin cans to the back of a bridal car were originally attempts to ward off evil spirits.
While it may no longer be fashionable to put faith in Irish wedding customs and traditions, wise couples borrow from these charming customs of old to add interest and joy to their wedding celebration.
When Niamh O’Carroll married Paul O’Sullivan in County Clare, they incorporated elements of Irish wedding customs and traditions. It made their wedding day personal and memorable.
To start they included an ancient Druidic blessing in their mass booklets for guests to enjoy. They also partook in the custom of the “Groom’s Declaration”. Paul presented Niamh with a small gift after the recitation of their vows. The gesture, long held as a uniquely Irish custom, symbolises a groom’s willingness to share with his bride his worldly possessions.
At the reception, which took place in the beautifully restored Knappogue Castle, a lone piper serenaded the bridal party from the garden to the entrance of the banquet hall. Once inside, guests found a medieval banquet, complete with servers in costume, balladeers and even a dungeon. For toasting, an Irish meade was served alongside champagne. Everyone raised their glasses to the couple’s future health and happiness.
Whether you’re looking for ways to bring blessings upon your new union, or searching for ideas for making your celebration special, following is a selection of Irish wedding customs and traditions which are sure to help.
Irish wedding customs and traditions
The Bride
If you look at the sun while leaving the house on the morning of your wedding, your future children will be healthy and beautiful.
Folk Saying
November is the time to wed, the harvest’s in and it’s cold in bed.
Horseshoe
Irish brides carry a small horseshoe in their bouquet in honour of a time when iron was a sacred and luck-bringing metal. An old Celtic legend says that a brave warrior rescued the Emerald Isle from the sea by casting his iron sword into her rich soil. The island became known as iron-land or Ireland.
Colour of Love
Green is the colour of Ireland, but it may not be lucky for a bride on her wedding day. Folklore says the colour green belonged to mischievous fairies, who loved all things beautiful – especially brides. Rather than risk trouble, an Irish bride should wear something blue instead, the true colour of love.
The Groom
If a groom wishes to bring luck to his marriage, he should grow a beard for his wedding day. Beards were once very much a part of the Irishman’s appearance and no chieftain went without one.
Druidic Blessing
We swear by peace and love to stand; Heart to heart and hand to hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now; Confirming this our Sacred Vow.
The Kiss
To ensure good luck, the groom should always be the first to kiss his bride after the ceremony.
Wedding Toast
May God be with you and bless you, may you see your children’s children, may you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings. And may you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.
Cake
To see your future partner, take a piece of wedding cake and pass it through the bride’s wedding ring three times. Take the cake home, wrap it carefully in a handkerchief and slip it under your pillow. During the night the face of your future spouse will come to you in a dream.
Warding off Spirits
When the bride and groom arrive to the reception, they should sprinkle a few drops of whiskey on the ground. This tradition wards off evil spirits and keeps them safe from harm all the days of their lives.
“A growing moon and flowing tide
are lucky times in which to marry.”
Irish folk wisdom
We have even more ways to add some Irish style to your wedding here.
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