Irish Wedding Traditions

From LoveToKnow Weddings

For the Irish, tradition is important and no where is this more apparent than at weddings.

Make Up Bells

When the Irish make up bells ring, not only are the evil spirits being kept away, but harmony is being restored to the union. A traditional Irish wedding gift, when makeup bells ring out, a truce is to be called. All arguments between the Happy Couple must end, and never be brought up again.

Lucky Horseshoes

Many Irish brides carry a small porcelain horseshoe in their wedding bouquets for good luck. Years ago brides used to carry the real thing, but in this day and age that's a little cumbersome.

Some brides wear a bracelet with a horseshoe charm or carry a lace handkerchief with a horseshoe embroidered into it. The horseshoe is always carried upside down so the luck doesn't run out.

Magic Handkerchief

The magic hanky is another wonderful Irish wedding tradition. The bride will carry or wear a handkerchief on her wedding day. After her first child is born, she will sew that handkerchief into a baby's bonnet. It is hoped that if the baby is a girl, she will take the stitches out when it's her turn to get married and carry the same handkerchief down the aisle thus repeating the process and creating a wonderful heirloom.

Wildflowers

Instead of elaborate veils and large cascading bouquets of roses, Irish brides favor a wreath of wildflowers in their hair and bouquets of herbs and wildflowers to match.

Salt and Oatmeal

On the morning of the wedding, the Happy Couple will each take three spoonfuls of oatmeal and salt. This protects them against evil.

Dancing

The Irish bride must be sure to keep both feet on the floor while dancing. If she doesn't, the fairies might get the upper hand.

Handfasting

Handfasting, when the bride and groom's wrists are tied together with a ceremonial ribbon, is a tradition that goes back hundreds of years. In fact, up until 1940, couples who handfasted were considered legally married. These days some Irish couples still choose to incorporate handfasting into their wedding ceremony.