Learning about your Irish heritage can be meaningful. It can also be charming, amusing, and whimsical.
Irish superstitions and rituals can become an integral part of holidays and celebrations. They can also make a wedding ceremony or reception original and unforgettable.
If you don’t know too much about the most common Irish wedding rituals and superstitions, you may enjoy finding out about the history and meaning behind them.
We’ve put together an easy-to-understand guide so you can get an overview of some common customs.
Planning an Irish-themed wedding becomes easy when you have some knowledge of Irish wedding customs throughout history.
Claddagh Engagement Rings – Traditional Irish Claddagh Rings are an elegant choice for Irish weddings. The Claddagh ring is given as a token of affection and a symbol of faithfulness. For hundreds of years, Irish couples have worn Claddagh rings in lieu of plain gold bands.
Today, couples have a range of choices. Claddagh rings can be embellished with solitaire diamonds or emeralds, delicate engraving, or tiny gems that catch the light.
Brides-to-be can choose gorgeous Claddagh engagement rings with bands to match. And grooms can opt for traditional bands with handcrafted Claddagh symbols.
Irish Wedding Vows – There are many variations on the theme of Irish wedding vows, so feel free to customize them to your liking. However, if you are looking for simple, beautiful words that resonate with timeless meaning, consider the Irish Vow Of Unity.
“We swear by peace and love to stand,
Heart to heart and hand in hand.
Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now,
Confirming this, our Sacred Vow.”
Hankies – Tucking a pretty hankie decorated with Irish Lace into a wedding gown is thought to bestow fertility and good luck upon the bride. This ritual is a lovely way to welcome good fortune on your wedding day.
Some Irish brides turn their wedding handkerchief into baby’s first bonnet when they become mothers. Then, if they give birth to a baby girl, they can loosen the stitches of the bonnet, and give the hankie back to their daughter, for her own wedding day.
Some brides opt to embroider a lucky horseshoe onto their wedding hankies. This is another symbol beloved by the Irish for wedding luck.
Other Superstitions and Traditions –
- It’s considered unlucky to put on your own wedding veil on the big day. If you want the luck of the Irish, have a happily married woman do the honors for you.
- Bad weather can bring good luck, according to tradition. Don’t worry about a little rain on the big day. According to Irish legend, this is the guarantee of a happy marriage.
- You can put an Irish penny in your shoe to bring yet more good luck.
- Marrying in April is generally regarded as much more lucky than a May wedding would be. Some Irish brides have been known to change the date because of superstition.
As you can see, there are so many traditions and ways to incorporate them into your wedding and reception. You can enjoy the Irish spirit on your special day with Claddagh Rings, meaningful vows, and lucky talismans.