Wedding Traditions from ATW: Ireland</strong>🍀

Isn’t it amazing to think of different wedding celebrations from around the world (ATW)? There is such beauty in diversity and culture. We all have a similar goal to fall in love, marry our favorite person and start a family bond of our own. Weddings are enriched in traditions old and new. While we create our own blissful tribe, it is only right that we celebrate matrimony with an unforgettable ceremony & reception. It represents the blessings in love and life as well as all of which surrounds us.

Causeway Coast & Glens Breathtaking image by Rob Dight

Northern Ireland – Antrim Coast Image by Nigel Ivy Film

Many of us have different cultural backgrounds. It’s nice to see the up and coming trends in the United States but it’s also wonderful to remember our roots. Even if you don’t have a personal connection with each country I share on this blog, I think we will all enjoy learning about various wedding celebrations ATW (around the world). There are so many incredible traditions that take place! Today, in honor of the beginning of March, I am going to dig deep and share with all of you some beautiful wedding traditions I have learned about Ireland!

Luxury Ireland Wedding Photography by Art Wedding Photography Venue: Markree Castle

Ireland is the second largest island of the British isles. Some of Ireland’s most famous symbols are the shamrock, the Celtic cross & the harp. In Ireland, there are many rolling plains of lakes, rivers, bogs and mountains/hills both high and low. Some of their landmarks include Irish castles, cathedrals, the blarney stone and more. One of the most interesting things I’ve learned in my research on Irish weddings is, Lace! Lace was first produced in Ireland around the 1730’s. Aristocrats like Lady Arabella Denny ( a famous philanthropist) used social and political connections to support and promote the sales of Irish lace abroad. Irish lace is an important part of Ireland’s heritage and the skilled craft in needlework traditions.

Beautiful Irish Bride Photography by Amelia Johnson Photo

Many traditional Ireland weddings incorporate lace. An Irish bride on her wedding day will carry a lace handkerchief which then is then made into a bonnet for the christening of the couple’s first child. Sometimes a handkerchief like this is passed down for generations and is even tied around the stems of the bridal bouquet or a part of the wedding dress. Such a sweet touch!

Traditional Claddagh Ring Image from Anne Shiels Jewellers on Instagram

The next tradition is more well known, the Claddagh ring, one of Ireland’s most iconic pieces of jewelry. The design has a heart with a crown and is held by two hands which symbolizes love, friendship and loyalty. It can be worn in various ways to show if you are single, taken, engaged or married all depending on which hand it’s placed on and whether the point of the heart is pointing inwards or outwards. Another fun fact on the history of the Claddagh ring is that there was a story about a man who originated from Galway named Richard Joyce. The story states that Joyce was taken by pirates who sold him as a slave to a man in Tangiers, Morocco, being brutally torn away from his one true love. As he was away, Joyce learned the art of goldsmithing from his master and was eventually set free in 1689 to return to Galway. On his return, he created the Claddagh ring for his beloved and it is still used today as a token of devotion!

Hand-Fasting to truly tie the knot!✨ Image by The Martins Photography

As I was researching various traditions in Ireland, there were two that really stood out to me. The first one is called “hand-fasting”. Hand fasting is a Celtic tradition and is widely known in western European countries. During a ceremony, the couple will literally “tie the knot” with materials such as ribbons, ropes or lace around their hands to signify their union and bond that will only grow stronger, especially in times of pressure. The second tradition that stood out to me personally was the ringing of bells! Guests will chime the bells to keep evil spirits away and ensure the couple a harmonious life. Bells are a common gift and some Irish brides will even carry small bells in their bouquets as a reminder of their sacred vows.

A fun twist is to add a flower called Bells of Ireland to your bridal bouquet to represent the old tradition in a new way! Image by Genevieve Leiper Photography Florals by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers

Many weddings are held during the days preceding Lent and Saturdays were the least recommended for the saying goes “Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses and Saturday no luck at all!” If those on Long Island were to follow this tradition, we’d have a much more affordable wedding night although most busy New Yorker guests may not be pleased about a weekday wedding! Lastly, when it comes to cherished symbols another one is the Horseshoe which is thought to bring the bride and groom good fortune. Some brides incorporate a horseshoe charm in their bouquets or they will have one sewn into the underside of their wedding gowns.

County Antrim Photography by Rob Dight

Overall, it wouldn’t be an Irish wedding unless there were Uilleann pipes playing in the background, some wildflowers and a beautiful Irish blessing:

“May God be with you and Bless you, May you see your Children’s children, May you be poor in misfortunes and rich in Blessings. May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward”.

And with all that being said, Sláinte!

To learn more about what Sláinte means, click here for a short video! Be sure to stay tuned for the next ATW blog! 💚