Celtic Dresses

The Celtic Cool Girl’s Guide

Top Tips for a Wonderful Celtic Themed Wedding in Ireland

If you are you are having a wedding in Ireland and would like to have some Celtic traditions as part of it todays BLOG is sure to give you lots of ideas “ Top Tips for a Wonderful Celtic Themed Wedding in Ireland”.

HISTORY OF A CELTIC WEDDING

Celtic weddings were simple and meaningful. Their weddings often took place outside with nature to bless the union. Nature was very important to the Celts.

Modern couples can take some of these meaningful beliefs and incorporate them into their wedding ceremony by using some of the old Celtic rituals, traditions and symbols.

TRADITIONS, SUPERSTITIONS & FOLKLORE

Did you know the word bride is celtic? The term bride is Celtic in origin and refers to Brigid, an exalted goddess of Celtic lore.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in your shoe…

The Victorian rhyme and wedding tradition is popular in Ireland. Blue is considered a lucky color in Ireland, something borrowed from a good friend to symbolize friendship, a bridal handkerchief is usually something new for good luck, something old is the connection to family, and the sixpence so you will always be well off financially in your marriage.

Bridal Bouquet

Tuck a sprig of shamrock into an Irish bouquet thought to bring good luck.

Flowers can include wild from the local terrain as well as more cultured, example: Bells of Ireland, Heather and Hydrangea.

Irish wedding coin

During the marriage ceremony, the groom presents his bride with a silver coin and says, “I give you this as a token of all I possess.” The coin symbolizes his willingness to share all that he has and will have in the future.

Why the brides stands to the left of the groom?

Did you ever wonder why the bride in modern weddings stands to the left of the groom? Many marriages in ancient times were by capture, not consent. Taken by force, the reluctant bride would be held by her groom to be with his left hand so he could fight off the bride’s family as well as other warriors with his strong right arm.

Wedding veils

A bride would be veiled to hide her away from evil spirits and from fairies who would steal her for her fine dress. A veil was also thought to represent purity and chastity.

The veil is a very old tradition. Before the bride is veiled she is a maiden. When she wears her veil she becomes a goddess in her own right, she takes on her mystery and feminine powers. When she is unveiled by her groom she returns to this world changed as her old life has ended and a new one begins.

Wedding attire

Coloured bridal dresses were popular, and many men wore kilts in past weddings. For the man not accustomed to this practice, he may be more comfortable in a tuxedo vest in plaid. Bridesmaids dresses can even be found in plaid. A plaid wedding often looks nice outdoors, in light shades of greens and other pastels. For a winter wedding, deep hunter greens, burgundies, and navies make a nice colour palette for a plaid-themed wedding.

The Last Stitch

From Co. Cork, comes the tradition of making the last stitch on the bride’s gown on the day of her wedding for good luck.