Photo by Kari Bjorn Photography (https://www.karibjorn.com)
Wedding traditions have been around for centuries, with most of us unclear about their true origins. Customs such as wearing a ring or carrying a bouquet originated in Ancient Rome, while the adage of “something borrowed, something blue” comes from Victorian Era England. With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it inspires the need to uphold certain Irish wedding traditions, as well.
Some of us already use these traditions or allude to them in sayings like “tying the knot.” This phrase references the Celtic handfasting ceremony, which is performed in other cultures, too. The first sound we hear when we think of weddings is the melodious trill of church bells. The ringing of bells at weddings also arose from Irish rituals as an attempt to scare away evil spirits. To find out how you can include these customs in your pop-up wedding ceremony, check out these fantastic elopement ideas.
Use Some Good Luck Charms
Weddings are full of tidings of good fortune and promoting wealth, health, and happiness for the new couple. Irish traditions are no different and incorporate numerous good luck symbols to bring about this vein of prosperity. While we all may know the shamrock’s role in bringing about increased fortunes, other symbols include the horseshoe and even a sixpence.
Traditionally, the bride would wear a sixpence in her right shoe as a way to usher in good fortune as she walked down the aisle. Equally, carrying a horseshoe right side up ensured their luck would never run out. Nowadays, all three act as symbols of heritage and good fortune you might easily add to any bridal fashion or ceremony.
Wear Traditional Irish Colors
The primary color to wear to an Irish wedding is not what you might think. Instead of the customary white for innocence or the vibrant green that we associate with Ireland, blue is the color of choice. In the past, wearing blue as a wedding dress was an acceptable hue, symbolizing purity long before the contemporary white. It also represented loyalty and a bride’s commitment to her husband.
This color choice is a throwback to the original colors of the Irish flag in the 1500’s. In fact, it’s considered back luck for the modern bride to wear green to her wedding. Doing so is said to attract mischievous fairies who might play tricks or kidnap the bride on her wedding day. The actual interpretation varies depending on the location, but either way, it doesn’t bode well for a happy wedding day.
Buy Traditional Jewelry for the Ceremony
You’ve probably seen those rings with two hands holding a heart in a center. These traditional pieces of Irish jewelry are called Claddagh rings and carry a host of sentiments behind them. The more traditional appearance is a plain silver ring, though some add gemstones to the center or along the sides to give it a more ornate appearance.
The way a person wears these rings signals whether they are single or taken, usually by which hand bears the ring. The direction the ring faces also speaks a language all its own, signifying whether he or she is looking for love or that someone has already captured his or her heart. So make sure to put it on the right way to avoid any miscommunication.
The Handfasting Ceremony
Didn’t think we were going to forget about this one, did you? The handfasting ceremony is a tradition that dates back over 2,000 years ago and served to unite a couple through both literal and figurative ties. It starts with the officiant explaining the ritual, then binding the bride and groom’s hands with a long cord or ribbon. Some use all four hands during this part of the ceremony, but many just use their right hands instead.
As the officiant continues binding the hands, he reads from a set of vows the couple agrees to as part of their commitment to one another. Saying additional vows after the officiant is finished is also an option. If you’re not sure who to go with for this Irish tradition, your Pop the Knot elopement wedding planner knows who to call. Our elopement packages include an officiant who is willing to customize your ceremony to fit your unique style.
Uphold Irish Wedding Traditions with a Blessing
You may have heard the traditional blessing of “May the road rise up to meet you.” But there are hundreds of Irish blessings to incorporate into your ceremony. There are toasts for the best man to the groom, a maid-of-honor blessing, even one that honors the joining of two families. Below is a general blessing about happiness.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
Quick to make friends,
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing but
Happiness from this day forward.
No matter which one you choose, it’s a fantastic and simple way to pay tribute to your Irish heritage.
If you’re ready to start planning your elopement or pop-up wedding, Pop the Knot is here to help! Not only do we assist you with finding the perfect officiant for the job, but we also match you with stunning venues, a photographer, and more.
To find out more about microwedding packages, contact us today!
