There’s no better time to celebrate the beauty of Irish culture than St. Patrick’s Day! While many associate Ireland with its breathtaking views and a pint of Guinness, its rich heritage also shines through in the heartwarming customs of an Irish wedding.
From ancient rituals like handfasting to the cherished Claddagh ring and the lucky Magic Hanky, Irish wedding traditions are steeped in meaning and romance. So if you want to pay homage to your irish roots or just love the charm of the celtic customs, here are ten traditions you can include into your big day…
Locking the church door
In traditional Irish weddings, it was believed that the groom might get cold feet, so guests would lock the couple inside the church once the bride arrived—ensuring there was no chance of a runaway groom!
While wedding-day nerves are completely normal, this old tradition can be a fun way to add some humor into your big day.
Hand Fasting
Have you heard of the phrase “tying the knot”? It is believed that the phrase originated from the practice of handfasting, an ancient Celtic tradition where a couple’s hands are tied together with a ribbon or cord, symbolizing their union and commitment to each other.
During the ceremony, the couple hold left hand to left hand and then right hand to right hand with their wrists crossing over. The officiant or loved one will then wrap a cord around the couple’s hands in a figure-eight pattern, representing infinity and eternal love.
Today, handfasting is popular in both traditional and non-traditional weddings, blending ancient symbolism with modern romance.
Wedding Bells
Bells are often rung at Irish weddings to ward off evil spirits, bring harmony to the marriage and remind couples of their wedding vows.
Some couples incorporate bells into their ceremony or wedding breakfast. Alternatively you could choose music with bells in.
Irish Kilts
While kilts are more commonly associated with Scotland, they also have a place in Irish weddings, particularly for those celebrating Celtic heritage. Irish kilts differ from Scottish ones in design and tradition but are equally symbolic.
Irish kilt tartans represent the different counties and districts, as opposed to Scottish kilts which represent different clans. As well as the county-specific tartans, there is also an Irish national tartan which can be worn.
The groom, groomsmen, and even male family members may choose to wear kilts as part of the wedding attire, adding a unique cultural touch to the ceremony.
Something Blue
In ancient Ireland, brides often wore blue, which was the traditional color of purity before white became popular and for this reason many Irish brides would choose this meaningful hue for their wedding day.
You could opt for a coloured bridal dress or if you wanted a more subtle nod to the ‘something blue’ tradition you could opt for accessory or decor.
Lucky symbols
There are many ways lucky symbols can be incorporated into your big day. The horseshoe is a classic symbol of good luck alongside the horseshoe; other Irish symbols of good fortune include shamrocks, Celtic knots, crosses, rainbows, and harps.
There are multiple ways you can include these symbols into your big day. Whether that be embroidered onto your gown, as part of your wedding jewellery or decorations etc.
Wearing a Claddagh ring
A well-known Irish wedding tradition is for couples to wear a Claddagh Ring. This significant Irish ring was first produced in the 17th century and the design is named after the fishing village of Claddagh near Galway.
The Claddagh ring is traditionally passed down through the female line of a family and carries deep symbolism. Features of the ring itself include two hands holding a heart with a crown, the heart symbolizes love, the hands friendship and the crown loyalty.
If you’re single, you wear it on your right hand with the heart pointing toward your fingertips. When in a relationship, the heart faces inward toward the wrist. Upon engagement, the ring moves to the left hand with the heart still pointing outward, and once married, it remains on the left hand but with the heart facing inward, symbolizing a lifelong commitment.
Magic Hanky
The ‘Magic Hanky’ is a sentimental Irish wedding tradition that dates back centuries. The newlywed would historically carry an embroidered handkerchief on her wedding day as a symbol of good luck and family heritage.
The ‘magic’ then comes after the wedding, when the couple’s first child is born, that same hanky is ’transformed’ into the baby’s bonnet or become part of the Christening gown. When the child grows up this can then be unpicked and used again at their own wedding.
Wildflowers & Shamrocks
The use of wildflowers and shamrocks, which represent luck and good fortune, can be tailored to suit any theme or colour palette.
Irish brides would wear a wreath of wild flowers in their hair in place of a more formal wedding veil. However if flower crowns are not your style you can incorporate them into the bride’s bouquet and the groom’s button hole.
Irish Tipple
In Medieval times, the married couple would toast each other with goblets full of mead. The couple would then continue to do so every day for a month or a full cycle of the moon, hence the term honeymoon.
This is one of the easier ways to incorporate Irish traditions into your big day, whether it is sipping on traditional Irish drinks all day long at your wedding or giving them away as a wedding favor.
Irish wedding traditions are a beautiful way to celebrate love, heritage, and a touch of good luck on your special day.
So, whether you’re saying “I do” in the heart of Ireland or simply adding a Celtic flair to your big day, may your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and a little Irish magic.
