Top Irish Traditions of a Celtic Wedding
Do you have Irish or Celtic heritage? There are many ways to incorporate Irish traditions into your wedding day - from traditional Irish music to Irish wedding cake, from ancient Celtic rituals to modern Celtic jewelry.
Traditional Irish Music
Irish music is renowned the world over for its tone and power. A sure way to celebrate your heritage on your wedding day is to hire an Irish uilleann piper or a Scottish bagpiper to play before, during or after your wedding ceremony. Equally, no Irish wedding reception would be complete without a jig or a reel. An Irish ceili band is a great way to really get the pulses racing at your after-dinner party. You may even add to the excitement by hiring an Irish dancing troupe to show the guests how it's done!
Food & Drink - The Irish Way
The traditional Irish wedding day is a day of feasting and drinking. The Irish wedding cake is a rich brown fruit cake decorated with marzipan and white icing. The top tier of the cake is to be wrapped up, brought home and served at the christening of your first baby - though one slice may be enjoyed on the date of your first anniversary! While Guinness will bring an Irish flavor to any wedding reception, it is a honey-wine called 'mead' that was the drink of choice at Irish weddings of centuries past.
Handfasting - an ancient Celtic custom
Irish weddings, particularly those taking place outside the church, have recently seen a revival in the Celtic tradition of handfasting. This beautiful tradition can be observed either during the marital vows or immediately after. The bride takes her hand from the hand of her father and offers it to the groom. The clasped hands of the bride and groom are now fastened by a strip of cloth. The traditional Irish couple would then leap over a broom, symbolizing a leap from their old, separate lives, to their new lives together.
Celtic Wedding Rings
The exchange of rings has long been central to wedding ceremonies the world over. The claddagh ring is Ireland's traditional marriage token. The ring features two hands holding a crowned heart. The hands symbolize the bride and groom are united in friendship. The heart symbolizes their love for each other, and the crown symbolizes their loyalty to that love. The groom may also consider wearing claddagh or Celtic knot cufflinks, while a Celtic brooch is seen as the ideal accessory for the mother of the Irish bride!
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com
