IRISH WEDDING TRADITIONS

I love this forest green Mediaeval Celtic wedding gown, although you might be surprised to learn that the traditional Irish bride wore blue. Blue was the symbol of purity and virginity long before white came along. Here are some more Irish wedding traditions…

Bell ringing was thought to ward off evil spirits and so guests were handed small bells to ring during the ceremony, hopefully at pre-determined intervals and not randomly! Today, many brides still incorporate a small bell on their dress or jewellery.

Ring warming was another tradition. The wedding rings were passed around the congregation before the ceremony and each guest held them for a moment while saying a silent prayer before passing them on. This was meant to infuse the rings with love, luck and happiness.

Irish brides would braid their hair as a symbol of luck and femininity and men grew a beard for the wedding, also meant to bring the couple luck in their new lives together.

Handkerchieves symbolised fertility and the bride would have hers with her right through the day, either tucked into her bouquet or her dress. When the couple’s first child was christened, the handkerchief would be incorporated into the baby’s dress or bonnet.

Whiskey was sprinkled on the ground at the reception … it was to keep the newlyweds safe from evil spirits in the years to come. I've been to my fair share of weddings where whiskey was sprinkled on the ground, but most times it was more accidental than by design... fall bridesmaid dresses

If you found yourself always a bridesmaid, never a bride, you took a tiny morsel of the wedding cake, passed it through the bride’s wedding ring and took it home. If you put it under your pillow that night, your future partner would appear to you in a dream.

When the wedding took place was important too, with various superstitions attached to different days and months… ‘Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, and Saturday no day at all.’ Also…

Marry when the year is new, always loving, kind, and true.
When February birds do mate, you may wed, nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can, joy for maiden and for man.
Marry in the month of May, you will surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses blow, over land and sea you'll go.
They who in July do wed, must labor always for their bread.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change are sure to see.
Marry in September's shine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November, only joy will come, remember.
When December's rain fall fast, marry and true love will last.

I'm done now. Don't panic, Bill, it's just a post... ?

(M) <3