Irish Wedding Customs and Traditions

An Irish wedding is full of meaningful yet fun customs and traditions. Most people generally perceive them to be fun-loving people and their celebrations are indeed filled with music, fun and liquor. Weddings are considered important social events that should be celebrated with food and music. There are many Irish traditions that can be adopted if you want an Irish wedding.

For single women, a Claddagh Ring is worn on the right hand but for weddings, the Claddagh Ring is worn on the left hand. It is important that the ring becomes a part of the celebration and not just any ordinary wedding ring, because their traditions and belief says that the Claddagh Ring symbolizes love and friendship, and for them, friendship is the true foundation of lasting love and union un marriage.

Music is kept on and consists of Celtic music that is being played during the reception. Because of the Celtic influence on their culture, this music is widely available and can be played by DJs or bagpipes, if you want to stay true to Irish culture.

Another notable custom is that the bride can now choose whether to have a white wedding gown or a blue wedding gown. While blue wedding gowns are more traditional, brides can now choose between white or blue as either color denotes the same purity, innocence and love through that color.

While the common wedding cake would be composed of chiffon or chocolate or carrot cake, fruitcake or one made with shamrocks and filled with Irish cream in the middle are traditional Irish wedding cakes that can be enjoyed by everyone. Recipes for these cakes are perfected by Irish bakers who are accustomed to making them.

As gifts, it is considered a good blessing if the couple receives a horseshoe that they will display at their home. The horseshoe is the traditional Irish symbol for good luck and placing it at their home is an invitation for that good luck to enter.

If you are planning to have an Irish-inspired wedding, complete your preparation with rustic invitations, a wedding reception menu with corned beef and cabbage, and wine, and Irish wedding favors such as small bottles of Irish cream for that authentic Irish wedding feel. Irish wedding favors and items are readily available in Irish communities in your area or you can simply go online and your Irish wedding preparation will be just one click away.