Irish wedding traditions are designed to help new couples be blessed with the luck of the Irish, and this is after all well known world-wide as being the best luck! You couldn't do much better than marry on the 17th March which is St. Patrick's Day, but not everyone who wants to incorporate these traditions into their wedding celebrations can be married on the same day.
Let's start with the Claddagh ring, this ring is traditionally passed down the generations from mother to daughter, and should only be given as a gift. It is not the kind of ring that anyone should purchase for themselves. The Claddagh ring has its traditions in the small fishing village of the same name in Galway County. When a betrothal takes place the ring is worn in the right ring finger with the heart turned inward. After the marriage takes place it is worn on the left hand ring finger with the heart turned out.
If you think that getting married on a rainy day is good luck, not in the Irish tradition. Luck abounds if the sun shines on the bride. This is just one of the many Irish superstitions and it is also lucky to see three magpies, hear a cuckoo, and have a man wish the bride joy after the ceremony. An old shoe should be thrown over the brides head and her mother-in-law should break cake over her head after the ceremony.
In a traditional Irish wedding the Best Man is does not make the toast alone, the entire guest compliment gets involved in this. Essential the bridal couple say a few words and then the guests respond in kind and a toast is made using the honeyed wine known as mead.
Much the same as the rest of the Western World, Irish wedding dress fashions come and go. However there is one particular thing that should be included in the brides' retinue and this is Irish Lace. It can be incorporated into the dress, garter or veil, or even be given as a gift to attendants. An Irish color theme would be green, white and orange, perhaps not for the dress, these colors might be more appropriate for the table settings.
A piper, dressed in his Celtic kilts is a must to add ambiance to the wedding celebrations. He should be able to play reels, jigs, hornpipes and the Irish Wedding song on his Uillean pipes.
As far as food goes, corned beef, cabbage and soda bread may not impress, but if they are well prepared these dishes can still taste delicious. Once your guests have toasted in mead and Irish whiskey, they will be grateful for any food which may be served. The cake is very luxurious and is a rich fruit cake filled with nuts (almonds) cherries, spices, raisins and candied peel.
Mi na meala means the month of honey, or the honeymoon if you like. Way back in time the Irish bridal couple would be given enough mead to last them a month after the wedding. This drink was thought to be the best way to celebrate the month after the wedding as it ensured fertility and virility. This is where the word honeymoon is derived from.
