Irish Wedding Traditions
Happy Late St. Patricks Day to everyone! My family definitely celebrates St. Paddy’s Day full force. We are Irish but ALSO, my oldest daughter is an Irish Dancer! This past weekend she was supposed be dancing in the Philadelphia Irish Parade, but due to what is going on in the world right now, it was cancelled, much like other events and gatherings. So, to back it up a few days, and continue the Paddy’s Day celebration (even though we ARE a few days late…) let’s check out this weeks Top 10 Tuesday!! Whether you are getting married here in the United States or in Ireland (God willing), there are a few Irish Wedding Traditions that you may want to follow. Take a look at my top 10 favorite wedding traditions from Ireland below!
- Shrove Tuesday – Irish weddings were commonly held on a weekday, during “Shrovetide”, or the days preceding Lent. No weddings are allowed during the 40 days of lent! The most popular day is the day before Ash Wednesday, called “Shrove Tuesday”.
Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, And Saturday no luck at all.
- Claddagh Rings – These rings feature two hands clasping a crowned heart. They symbolizes love and loyalty and are worn as engagement rings and wedding bands. Take a look at this gorgeous white gold engagement ring here that features a diamond. You can learn all about these rings here: Claddagh Meanings. You can wear the Claddagh many different ways to convey your relationship status.
- Wearing a Blue Dress – Would you wear a blue wedding dress? Blue dresses are stunning! The color blue was once seen as the symbol in virginity, even though white is seen as the color for purity; Irish brides were often seen wearing blue dresses. Photographing a blue dress on wedding day, would be absolutely beautiful.
Who will be wearing a blue gown in 2020?
- Proposing on Leap Year – According to legend, a young woman was upset that the men she liked were too shy to ask for her hand in marriage. Because of this, St. Patrick gave her his blessing so that women could propose on ONLY the leap day of the leap year.
So, we just had a leap year, did anyone propose to a man?
I’d love to shoot your wedding! Let’s chat!
- Wildflowers In Braided Hair – Keeping with tradition, you will often find Irish brides wearing wildflowers woven through their long braided wedding day hair. Not only does it look darling, but it also stands for as a symbol of feminine power! Additionally, bridesmaids or flower girls could wear flower crowns, but the bride herself cannot wear a flower crown because it would be considered very bad luck!
I couldn’t love this anymore!
- To Tie the Knot – This saying actually has a Celtic origin, during ancient Irish wedding ceremonies where both the bride and the groom’s hands are bound together with a ribbon. This is called a ‘handfasting’ ritual, signifying their union and strength of their love. This is a tradition that I love to photograph. It slows things down a bit, as a result we can really enjoy the couples bond.
- Sixpence in the Shoe – The sixpence was meant to act as a good luck charm and a way to ward off evil spirits. I have definitely seen brides do this, and it’s a very lovely detail to photograph.
I hope I see more traditions like this come back!
- Ringing the Wedding Bells – Like the sixpence in the shoe, the ringing of the wedding bells was seen as a way to get rid of evil spirits on the wedding day.
They’re also very beautiful to listen to and photograph rather nicely. They’re also a very sweet favor for your guests.
- Irish Lace – In Ireland, dresses look like dresses everywhere else in the world. However, one distinctly Irish touch is Irish lace. Very often it is used on the dress itself, or as a handkerchief or in the veil.
I have seen this given to the bride as a gift by her parents, or to the parents from the bride.
- Irish Dancing – What’s a wedding without some Irish Dance! I know when my daughter grows up, she will be dancing at her wedding, and you better believe she will need some custom bridal ghillies!
Do you have a favorite Irish Tradition? I’d love to hear about it!
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Top Ten Tuesday – ‘Irish Wedding Traditions’. Subscribe to our mailing list and be sure to come back every Tuesday for more amazing Top Ten’s!
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