Wedding Wednesday: Luck of the Irish

St. Patrick’s Day is the luckiest day on which to get married in Ireland. 

While the rest of us celebrate this Irish holiday with green beer and shamrocks, love takes center stage on the Emerald Isle. Kiss Me, I’m Irish, takes on a whole new meaning! Here are a few other Irish wedding traditions that keep Irish eyes smiling on the big day.

 

The Irish Wedding Band

The Claddagh Ring is the traditional ring of choice for Irish brides. When engaged, the ring is worn on the right ring finger with the heart facing in, towards the knuckle. Once married, the Claddagh ring is worn on the left ring finger. If the bride opts for an engagement right, it is good luck to have your birthstone included, even if that stone is otherwise unlucky.

The Irish Wedding Dress

While contemporary wedding trends in Ireland closely replicate other Western countries, traditionally the Irish bride wore a blue dress. In ancient times, it was blue that represented purity. Modern brides can take advantage of the growing trend for colored wedding dresses and incorporate a blue wedding dress to celebrate their Irish heritage!

Another tradition is the addition of Irish lace. You may not want your entire dress to be made of the intricate fabric but consider incorporating it in to your veil or don it as a handkerchief.

And while you may not wish for your dress to accidentally be torn on your wedding day, maybe you should! It’s a sign of luck in Ireland!

The Irish Wedding Toast

Irish Toasts and Proverbs are plentiful! Here are just a few of our favorites…

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. 

—

May the roof over your heads be as well thatched
As those inside are well matched.

—

Here’s to health, peace and prosperity. May the flower of love never be nipped by the frost of disappointment, nor shadow of grief fall among your family and friends.

Irish Superstitions

If you want extra luck on your big day, be sure to 1. wake to the sound of birds signing, 2. see 3 magpie birds, 3. hear a cuckoo, 4. accidentally tear your wedding dress and 5. have the sun shine on you! Don’t worry if you miss a few of these… but be sure to have a happily married woman put the veil on you. It is bad luck to put your veil on yourself. After the ceremony, it’s important that a man be the first to greet the bride and wish her joy. And if you’re planning on having children with your new spouse, look at the sun as you’re leaving your wedding and your children will be beautiful!

The Irish Wedding Dance

Consider starting the night off right with an Irish set dance. This is a great way to enjoy some traditional Celtic music, music with a rhythm your guests won’t be able to ignore! If your guests are not familiar with Irish dance, consider having a few traditional dancers there to provide some fun and quick lessons. Here’s a great video example of some Irish wedding dance fun!

Getting married this Saturday? How are you celebrating?

 

Lisa @ Lorio-Ross