If you’re like me, you might think of a four-leaf clover when you hear “Irish” or “Ireland.” However, the four-leaf clover is an American symbol, while the shamrock (three leaves) represents Irish heritage. This got me wondering, have I misunderstood Irish wedding traditions all along?
Here’s what I discovered while researching for a couple planning their Irish destination wedding. Both of their families immigrated to the United States during the Great Famine in 1845. We call a wedding that takes a couple back to their roots a “heritage-return.”
St. Patrick’s Day is Good Luck for Weddings!
St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland, using the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Today, green is often associated with St. Patrick’s Day and is a popular color for Irish weddings. You can easily incorporate green into your wedding with green font on invitations, green florals in bouquets, or bridesmaid dresses in shades of green.
Tying the Knot is Literal
Just as a handshake seals a deal, the ancient Celtic tradition of “handfasting” symbolizes betrothal. Binding a couple’s hands with ribbons or cords during the ceremony honors this tradition. The Irish woven sash, called a “crios,” is popular for this ritual and can match your wedding colors.
With This Claddagh Ring
For centuries, placing a ring on your beloved’s finger has symbolized promise. The Irish have a special ring for this, the Claddagh ring, which represents love (the heart), loyalty (the crown), and friendship (the hands). A beautiful family tradition is passing this ring down through generations. Originally designed by Richard Joyce, a silversmith from Galway in the 1600s, the Claddagh ring remains a popular choice in Ireland today.
Wildflowers for wreaths and bouquets
In ancient times weddings took place outdoors in beautiful natural settings. Female wedding guests would pick wildflowers from the fields for the bride to wear in her hair as a loving gesture of friendship. The flowers would be placed on or incorporated into the bride’s hair, and never by the bride herself. Women wore their hair long as a symbol of strength, power, and luck. Wildflower bouquets would complement the flowers in her hair.
Horseshoes: A symbol of luck
The horseshoe as a symbol of luck comes from an ancient Irish tale of a blacksmith and the devil. When the devil came to the blacksmith’s shop asking for shoes the blacksmith recognized the devil. He hammered a burning shoe to the devil’s hoof. The devil jumped away in excruciating pain and tore it from his foot swearing never to go near one again. The Celtic tradition was born and since then an upright facing horseshoe is thought to ward off the devil. It’s a fun tradition to use in decor on invitations, seating card holders or even for games at the wedding to entertain the guests.
For whom the bell tolls!
Bell ringing was believed to ward off evil spirits and keep the fairies from stealing away the bride on the wedding day. Bells have been added to the wedding bouquets of Irish brides for centuries. Newlyweds sometimes hang bells over the threshold of their home so when they enter as a newlywed couple they will be under its protection.
Mead, the champagne of yesteryear
Before champagne there was mead. A fermented beverage made from honey and widely popular at Irish weddings. Guests would raise their glasses and toast the newlywed couple. The tradition has carried on through the ages and variety of beverages (most commonly champagne) is used today.
The honeymoon!
The parent’s of newlywed couples wanted the sweetness of the wedding day to last. So they gave one month’s supply of this honey mead to the couple to carry them through until the next full moon. And the term honeymoon was born!
Check out and compare some of Ireland’s most stunning destinations and properties.
More International Wedding Customs & Traditions We Love
Sentimental Wedding Traditions From Around the World
The world revolves around traditions and customs that have been celebrated over generations. Here are some beautiful celebrations you may like to incorporate in your nuptials!
