Irish Wedding Traditions
Ireland is a country filled with culture, history and heritage, so it is no surprise that there are many Irish wedding traditions that some brides choose to still incorporate into their big day. Today we are exploring some of the most well-known and some more unusual traditions.
The Lucky Horseshoe
The horseshoe has always been seen as a symbol of luck and in some cultures, of fertility too. It was a popular tradition for the bride to carry a horseshoe with her up the aisle, and for her and her husband to then affix the horseshoe over the door of their home together for luck. This is still done by many couples today and is especially popular with Irish-American couples.
Image via The Knot
A Blue Dress
Yes, you read that right, blue! Traditionally, an Irish bride would wear a blue dress as a symbol of purity. There has been a resurgence of coloured dresses in recent years, but if you’re not feeling confident enough to pull off a colour, why not add ‘something blue’ to your dress such as a blue sash or a piece of blue fabric sewn into the lining of your dress.
Image via Green Bride Guide
Bells
The sound of a bell ringing is supposed to keep bad spirits away and many brides incorporate a little bell into their bouquet or even on their shoe. It is also traditional the bridal couple to kiss when their guests ring a silver bell in front of them.
Image via Irish Central
Image via Green Bride Guide
The Child of Prague
This is an old tradition that is still really popular in modern Ireland. Placing a Child of Prague statue outside your house on the night before the wedding is said to bring good weather for your wedding day – you can see why this is still so popular today!
Image via One Fab Day
Wedding Date
If you really want to follow tradition, there is an Irish poem which will help you choose the best time of year to get married.
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.
This is just a tiny selection of the many Irish wedding traditions that are out there; did you incorporate any of these into your wedding day or plan to?