Irish wedding traditions are often diverse, historically rooted, and eccentric (at least to the modern western sensibility). Many beautiful and mystic rituals at first blush appear to be rooted in “silly” superstition. But upon a closer inspection, one discovers that many of these rituals are bound up with the deep and proud history of the Celtic people.

A fair share of Irish wedding traditions focus on defining the proper venue and timing of the event. A wedding in April, for example, is considered good luck (as the saying goes – “marry in April if you can, joy for maiden and for man”). A May wedding, on the other hand, is not so lucky, according to tradition. Similarly, it’s good luck if the sun shines on the bride-to-be, bad luck to tie the knot on a Saturday, good luck to celebrate nuptials during a waxing moon, and bad luck if a piece of glassware gets shattered during the day’s celebrations.

Joyful Irish wedding traditions abound. The Irish wedding song is a favorite at many modern weddings in the United States. Irish dancing is also a key component of a traditional ceremony (don’t forget your colorful Celtic garb to ensure authenticity). Tradition also spells out floral customs. Sewing wild flowers in the bride’s hair is a classic custom that dates back centuries. However, the bride can also carry wild flowers, myrtle, and other Irish native flowers (such as “Bells of Ireland”) as a bouquet.

No Irish wedding would be complete without honey wine and soulful rhythmic Celtic music. The Bunratty Meade is a centuries old drink that celebrates virility and spirit. It’s in a sense a “magic potion” designed to inspire the bride’s fertility (ideally the couple should conceive soon after drinking this concoction.) The Meade also serves a symbolic function of protecting the bridegroom and bride from being divided by “magic fairies.”

Consider a few more eccentric but fun Irish wedding traditions. One delicious tradition is the whisky cake – make sure to save your top tier to enjoy at the christening of your first boy or girl. If you’re a bride, and your husband-to-be’s mother smashes a piece of your cake over your head, don’t be offended – this is a traditional gesture in many Irish wedding ceremonies, and it’s intended to connect the bride and her mother-in-law as lifetime companions.

No Irish wedding would be complete without the addition of beautiful jewelry and classic Celtic ornamentation. To explore richly symbolic custom made Irish wedding jewelry – ranging from pendants to tie pins to the Trinity Knot and Claddagh ring, turn to celtic-weddingrings.com. Our custom produced and historically rooted designs can give your cherished day that extra something special. Please browse our site for photographs of our work as well as for ordering information. You’re guaranteed superior craftsmanship and friendly customer service – we hallmark all of our jewelry through the Dublin Assay’s office, and we’re happy to talk to you at length about the meaning of our jewelry pieces and how these pieces are traditionally integrated into Irish wedding ceremonies.

Written by Steven Forsyth of Celtic Rings Ltd