Traditional Irish Wedding Ideas
Many of the traditions associated with a classic Irish wedding differ greatly from those with which Americans are familiar. If you and your spouse hold Ireland dear, consider integrating some of these decidedly-Irish traditions into your nuptials to reflect this mutually held admiration and give your wedding a touch of classic-Irish class.
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Blue-Dressed Bride
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While white is the standard color of choice for bridal gowns in most cultures, such is not the case in classic Irish tradition. Although some modern Irish brides go with white today, traditionally Irish brides have selected blue dresses, as this color was representative of purity in decades past. If you want to look like a bonny bride on your special day, consider a colored wedding gown.
Virility-Enhancing Beverage
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Perhaps it comes as no surprise that the famous-for-drinking Irish have alcohol-related wedding traditions. At classic Irish weddings, brides and grooms would share some Bunratty Meade, a honey wine. This wine was touted as virility enhancing, and was generally believed to increase the likelihood that honeymoon romantic interludes would result in a baby. Sip away at some of this Irish drink at your wedding reception to make your alcohol choice a bit more reflective of Ireland.
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Stroll to the Church
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While American brides and grooms generally avoid seeing each other before that fated walk down the aisle, classic Irish couples made their first meeting a bit earlier. Traditionally, Irish brides and grooms talk together to the church at which they will exchange their vows. If you and your groom are close enough to your church of choice to make this walk, do so; if not, consider meeting up several blocks away from the venue and walking the last couple hundred yards hand and hand.
Keepsake Handkerchief
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As you prepare for your walk down the aisle, arm yourself with a handkerchief that can serve as a class Irish wedding keepsake. Traditionally, Irish brides carry a lightly embroidered handkerchief down the aisle, then later transform this fabric piece into a bonnet to grace the head of a first-born baby. Regardless of whether you decide to craft this meaningful bonnet, having a handkerchief that you carried on your special day can serve as a wonderful memento of your special day.
Wedding Day Braid
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As you plan your wedding-day hair, consider adopting an Irish-inspired braid. Irish brides traditionally wear their hair in braids, as a braid is reflective of feminine power and luck. Weave your hair into a simple braid on your special day, or ask your hairstylist to create a braid-containing up-do to reflect this Irish tradition.
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