A Mythical Tune: Irish Wedding Traditions

Wedding Inspiration // March 17, 2012

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Traditionally in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is considered the luckiest day of the year to be married so what better way to celebrate than with a beautiful Irish wedding shoot! :) Big thanks to the talented wedding artists in Ireland who made the journey to the South Coast of Ireland to turn their vision into a reality. Set in the wonderfully contrasting Irish landscape of the private Island of Inish Beg off the coast of Cork, this shoot incorporates many of Ireland’s charming wedding traditions while also taking inspiration from Ireland’s famed literary history – and of course not forgetting its iconic food and drinks culture.

Magic Hanky
This charming custom symbolizes fertility. Traditionally the bride incorporates it into her dress, carries it with the bouquet or carries it in her sleeve. Once the wedding is over, the bride uses the handkerchief to make a christening bonnet for her first-born child. For this shoot, they tied/wrapped the brides wildflower bouquet with an embroidered ‘magic’ hanky.

Blue Wedding Dress
The traditional Irish bride wore a blue wedding dress rather than white. This color was a symbol of purity in ancient times before white became the universal symbol for virginity.

Handfasting
Handfasting is an ancient Ireland Celtic tradition, in which a man + woman came together at the start of their marriage relationship. Each partner holds the hands of the other, right hand to right hand, left hand to left, their wrists crossed. The ribbon is wound around the wrists over the top of one and under and around the other, creating the infinity symbol. The practice gave way to the expression “tying the knot”. So fun to learn what that phrase came from! :)

Wildflowers
Many Irish brides wore a wreath of wildflowers in their hair rather than an elaborate veil and carried bouquets of herbs and wildflowers to match.

Braided Hair
Irish brides often wore their hair in braids with ribbon and lace woven through the braids. Braided hair is an ancient Irish symbol of feminine power and luck.

Harp
From early times, Ireland is unique in having a musical instrument, the harp, as its national emblem. A harpist traditionally played during the wedding ceremony and at the wedding
banquet or celebrations.

Make-up bells
Giving a bell as a wedding gift is another Irish tradition. The chime of bells is said to keep evil spirits away and also remind the married couple of their wedding vows. A nice modern twist is to hand out tiny bells to your guests to ring as you ‘tie the knot’ or when you exit the church instead of throwing confetti.