Irish culture has a rich tradition of wedding customs and rituals that are believed to bring good luck and fortune to the couple. These customs have been passed down through generations and are an integral part of Irish weddings to this day.
One of the most recognisable Irish wedding rituals is the use of the Claddagh ring. This traditional ring has a heart, a crown, and two hands holding the heart, which symbolizes love, loyalty, and friendship. The ring is typically given as an engagement or wedding ring and is worn with the heart facing inwards to symbolize that the wearer’s heart is taken.
Another popular Irish wedding custom is the handfasting ceremony, which involves tying the couple’s hands together with a ribbon or cord to symbolize their union. This tradition dates back to ancient Celtic times and is said to have inspired the phrase “tying the knot.”
Credit: @oliviabuckleyinternational
Olivia adds, “Handfasting has become one of the most popular rituals in weddings as more couples embrace humanist and spiritualist ceremonies. It is a beautiful, visual ritual that pays homage to ancient Ireland, and couples love that they actually ‘tie the knot’ and have a meaningful keepsake from their ceremony. It can be a wonderful way for friends and family to be invited into the ceremony, as they wrap the cords around the couples hands.”
While some traditions are still alive and commonly used in modern Irish weddings, others have fallen out of favour or have been adapted over time.
There are several reasons why some Irish wedding traditions have not been used or have become less common in modern times. One reason is that some traditions may be seen as outdated or no longer relevant to modern couples. For example, the tradition of the groom giving the bride a coin to represent his willingness to share his wealth is less common today because many couples now see themselves as equal partners.
The use of colour in ceremonies has also changed, as modern couples are more receptive to using colours that typically correspond with trends and the evolution of the modern aesthetic.
“The tradition of not wearing green has completely died out”, says Olivia. “Green has been one of the most popular colours for bridesmaid dresses in recent years—even my own bridesmaids wore forest green! The references to nature and of course, Ireland itself are influential reasons to include green in your wedding palette.”
As society becomes more diverse, some couples may choose to incorporate traditions from other cultures or religions into their weddings. This can lead to a blending of different traditions and a move away from strictly adhering to Irish wedding customs.
Despite these changes, many Irish wedding traditions remain popular and are still used in modern weddings. These include the tradition of the bride wearing a veil, the exchange of wedding rings, the use of traditional Irish music and dance, and the practice of toasting with Irish whiskey.
Credit: @oliviabuckleyinternational
Beyond these beautiful wedding traditions, your special day is planned for you to enjoy and personalise. There are a variety of ways to add enjoyable touches to your wedding to make it even more special and unforgettable because even the smallest details matter.
“Wedding bells, a symbol of abundance and prosperity, are a fun tradition to embrace for your wedding”, says Olivia. “Typically, bells are reserved for church weddings, but there’s potential to embrace them even for secular weddings. During one of our weddings last year, guests received a small bell alongside their escort card with instructions to ring the bell when the bride and groom entered the reception. The bells made the most angelic sound as the bride and groom made the entrance and guests loved chiming to the newlyweds.”
Content from Austen & Blake.
