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Nine Irish Wedding Traditions to Include on Your Big Day

Written by Ciaran Vipond on Sept 04, 2019 | 2 Comments

Weddings are a wonderful time to pay tribute to the traditions of the past in a meaningful way. For couples with links to Ireland, there are plenty of wonderful customs that can be easily incorporated into modern-day ceremonies and celebrations. Michelle Johnstone Clark of Waterlily Weddings, specialists in destination weddings in Ireland, helped us pull together some fantastic traditions that will add a lovely Irish touch to any ceremony.

1. Tie the Knot

This was the original Irish wedding ceremony and has it's roots in ancient Ireland. Overseen by a person of high standing in the community, a druid, poet or filí, this ritual involves tying the hands of the couple together with rope, ribbon or lace representing their union and their bonds that will only grow stronger, especially in times of pressure. This ceremony would typically coincide with important Irish festivals like Lunasa, where "love knots" would be exchanged between young couples intending to marry.

And this wedding tradition has not only survived but thrived, helped in no small part by British Royals. Kate and William, included a Handfasting element as part of their lavish ceremony in 2011. And it is the number one request that Michelle gets from couples planning their Irish wedding ceremony. “It’s something that I really like because you can personalise it,” she says, adding that the bride and groom can select special colours for the ribbons or cords used. And in the case of a couple with children, it’s a simple way to incorporate the kids into the ceremony. “You can let them pick the colours and do one of the ribbons, since the ribbons are put over the couple’s hands individually,” Michelle explains.

Many of our customers get in touch for keepsakes to add to their hand fastening ribbons - a brooch or charm like this beautiful Sterling silver and Diamond Trinity Knot are lasting mementos of the ceremony that add a little sparkle to this lovely tradition.

2. Incorporate Irish Music with Uilleann Pipes

Although many may associate bagpipes with Ireland, uillleann pipes as a more authentic Irish instrument. “They’re much quieter, sweeter and have a better range,” Michelle says. “They’re kind of like the cousin of the Scottish bagpipe. They’re a very unique sound and they accompany the ceremony very well.”

“Imagine being in the garden of a castle or a beautiful old Irish church. You’re all standing waiting excitedly, and the bride comes in to these uilleann pipes, a sound that you just instantly associate with being Irish. That’s a pretty cool tradition to add in.” We would add that there won't be a dry eye in the house. Uillean pipes are pretty emotive!

3. Keep a Lace Handkerchief

On her wedding day, an Irish bride traditionally carries a lace handkerchief, which is later used to make a bonnet for the christening of the couple’s first child. “It’s a really simple but beautiful tradition,” Michelle comments. “The handkerchief can also get handed down from generation to generation, which is really nice. And of course, Ireland has such a long history with lace.”

The handkerchief can be embroidered with the date of the ceremony and the initials or names of the couple. A gorgeous little detail for photography on the day and another keepsake for the happy couple.

4. Have Sixpence in the Shoe

Being a superstitious bunch, there are a lot of Irish traditions that are based on luck and warding away evil spirits! A "sixpence is supposed to be a good luck charm for the bride" bringing her wealth and prosperity in her marriage Michelle explains. Historically, a gentleman gave his lady the coin, which was placed in her shoe. Today, many Irish brides opt to glue a coin to the sole of their shoe in a nod to the tradition!

5. Get Your Good Luck Horseshoe

Like the sixpence, a horseshoe was thought to bring the bride good fortune for her nuptials. While a real iron horseshoe doesn’t quite go with an elegant wedding look, this ancient custom can easily be given a modern makeover. Some brides choose to incorporate a horse shoe in their bridal bouquet with a charm, or horseshoe made of porcelain or fabric.

Michelle explains. “They’ll wrap Irish lace around the stems of the flowers and they’ll sew a tiny horseshoe into the lace, just to carry on the tradition. Or, they’ll have it on a pin and they’ll pin it to the underside of their dress.” Some brides will incorporate a horseshoe on their garter if they are wearing one.

6. Wedding Rings That Incorporate Irish Symbolism

There are many beautiful and romantic Irish symbols that have fitting significance for an Irish wedding. The Claddagh and the Celtic Knot are just two examples:

The Claddagh

Claddagh rings have been exchanged in Ireland for centuries. The heart, hands and crown of the Claddagh are said to represent Love, Loyalty and Friendship. The Claddagh ring was originally offered as a wedding token and is still a hugely popular ring for Weddings. With this ring we have adapted the design to sit in a band making it a more versatile piece that can sits well with a claddagh engagement ring.

A bride can also wear a claddagh as a bracelet, pendant or earrings.

Celtic Knot

The mystical Celtic Knot is at the heart of all traditional Irish design. Our Celtic Knot rings are inspired by the infinite variety of designs found in the pages of our ancient manuscripts, or on the proud stone crosses that stand on our hills. The Celtic Lovers Knot in particular has perfect symbolism for a wedding ring, representing eternal love.

This symbolism is so fitting in fact that many couples we work with choose to make Celtic Knotwork a theme of their wedding, incorporating it into stationary, jewellery, their handfastening and even their bridesmaid and groomsman gifts.

7. Honey Wine Before the Honeymoon

The phrase honeymoon stems from the Irish tradition of toasting with mead, a honey wine. Although not commonly served at modern Irish weddings, this is a ritual that many second- and third-generation couples carry on today, according to Michelle.

8. Traditional Irish Wedding Cake

Although cakes of all flavours and varieties are common at Irish weddings these days the traditional Irish wedding cake is a fruit cake. And Irish couples will often choose to have at least one of the layers made in this dense and rich cake as it is yet another tradition to save a small piece to eat at the christening the couple's first child. But this cake is not to everyone's taste and if you don't fancy it, you can always update the recipe keeping the spirit of the spicy traditional cake.

Check out our own Irish wedding cake recipe which combines the flavours of the traditional cake with a lighter texture that is a little easier to combine with dancing and celebrations on the big day!

9.Celebrate in Ireland

Of course one way to ensure you have an Irish wedding is to centre the celebration in Ireland!

Have you ever dreamed of a Destination Wedding in Ireland? Waterlily Weddings help couples from around the world to arrange “the perfect wedding day in Ireland.” Check out their gallery for inspiration!

50 Years in the Business

We have been honored to help so many lovely couples find their perfect Irish wedding rings over the years.

They are delighted by the real connection to Ireland and the wonderful symbolism of our designs. And of course we are here if you have any questions about your own wedding plans, our Irish or Celtic Wedding rings, engagement rings, bridal jewellery, or gifts for your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

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Ciaran Vipond

Ciaran Vipond

My Irish Jeweler

Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!

I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!

Comments

Owen Carroll

Is it or is it not a tradition for the groom not to see his wife to be the day before the marriage?

Liz MaguireOwen Carroll

Hi Owen, Great question! While the tradition of the Bride and Groom waiting to see each other on the morning of the Wedding has historic roots there's no evidence that it started in Ireland. However, many couples remember the legend and choose individually whether to follow it or not. Hope that's helped! All the best, Liz