What is an Irish exit, and how to pull it off?
Are you invited to an Irish wedding?Some of the Irish wedding traditions used in the ceremony and reception may be familiar to you, but what do they mean?Irish weddings are some of the most romantic and emotional weddings you can attend.You will enjoy the celebration more if you understand the Celtic traditions and symbols of love.
"Many of our wedding traditions originated from the fear of evil spirits in ancient Ireland and other parts of Europe," she says.While some traditions are relevant today like wearing a veil and carrying fragrant flowers, others are not like getting married during harvest or before lent, eating salt on your wedding day, or that Saturdays are considered an unlucky day to tie the knot.
The founder of Bridal Bliss is a wedding expert in the Pacific Northwest.A wedding planning veteran, Nora has planned many Irish weddings.Her team has earned several awards and recognition.
Some brides of Irish ancestry have their dresses specially made, or they embellish a ready-made dress with Celtic symbols.Adding Irish lace is a beautiful touch.You can also see a veil with Irish lace accents.In cold weather, brides may want to wear a classic bridal cloak in wool or a combination of light-weight wool and Irish linen.
The counties and districts of Ireland are represented by Irish tartan kilts, while the Scots represent their clan in their tartan design and color.The Irish national tartan was made famous as a response to the Anglicization of the Emerald Ise by the British.The groom at a traditional Irish wedding wears a full formal kilt.He will wear a Brian Boru jacket named for the Irish warrior king, a white tuxedo shirt with bow tie, knee socks with ribbons, and Ghillie Brogue shoes.It's more popular in America for a groom to wear an Irish kilt than it is in Ireland.Irish musicians and dancers wear kilts.
The official color of Ireland was not green until the 19th century.Ireland was granted the right to have their own coat of arms and flag after King Henry VIII left the Catholic Church and formed the Church of England.Ireland's flag was blue for hundreds of years.Blue was considered lucky for brides as it was the color of fidelity and meant that the bride was committed to her husband.Don't be surprised if the wedding has blue elements along with the many shades of green.
Every wish for the couple at the wedding is for a long and beautiful life together.Lucky horseshoes and lucky shamrocks can be found in the bride's bouquet, tablescapes, favors, and even on the cake.Irish brides used to carry a real horseshoe down the aisle to keep their luck going.The bride is supposed to walk down the aisle with a sixpence coin in her right shoe.
The Scottish prefer the Highland Bagpipes, while the Irish play the smaller Irish Uilleann Pipes.The small pipes are used inside the church.At an Irish wedding, they wore full regalia and were dressed in kilts.The piper may play before the ceremony as guests arrive, and also to announce the bride's arrival to the church just before they lead the processional down the aisle.It is customary to have the piper lead the couple down the aisle.One option is to have a harpist play the Celtic harp, which is renowned for its beautiful tone and haunting sound.The Celtic harp is included on everything from Irish government documents to labels on Guinness bottles.
The ancient Celtic tradition of handfasting dates back 2,000 years.The ceremony allowed the couple to live together for a year and a day to see if they were compatible, if not, they could simply separate.Many choose to have a handfasting instead of lighting a unity candle.The officiant places a ribbon or cord around the bride and groom's hands as they say vows of promise and commitment.The more popular method is to tie the bride and groom's hands together.
The clasped hands on the wedding rings are from ancient Roman times.The Irish Claddagh ring has two hands around a heart with a crown.Those in the know about the Claggagh are receiving a silent message.The Claddagh is placed on the left hand with the bottom of the heart pointing away from the wrist.During the ceremony, the rings will be placed on the left-hand ring finger with the point of the heart facing inward towards the recipient.The inside of the rings is engraved with a Gaelic sentiment.
It is believed that ringing a bell will ward off evil spirits.The belief is that the church bells will ring after a wedding if the couple makes their way down the aisle as a married couple.A bell is a traditional wedding gift.The Bells of Ireland flowers are included in the bride's bouquet because they represent luck.
Irish brides still carry a white handkerchief.It is a lovely way to incorporate the Irish culture into bridal attire.It's also a lucky talisman.In Ireland, the hanky is sewn into a bonnet for the firstborn child.
An Irish wedding reception is incomplete without Irish dancers.An Irish wedding celebration is incomplete without an Irish dancing school performing with an Uilleann pipe player or Irish band.
Irish beverages will be served at the reception.The oldest drink in Ireland is made from honey.The origin of the term "honeymoon" is due to the fact that in medieval times the bride and groom would toast each other with special goblets full of mead and carry on with this for a month or one moon cycle.Irish mist liqueur is one of the most popular choices.
An Irish reception will have many rounds of toasts and blessings beginning with family members, the wedding party and friends.Don't drink too much, but keep your glass full.Slinte!