There are so many Irish Traditions, customs and folklore to draw upon, that it would be bad luck to be of Irish descent and not take advantage of all the possibilities.

After delving into history and folklore, here is my selection of customs to think about for your own Traditional Irish Wedding based on how weddings were celebrated in Ireland long ago. 

• Newly engaged couples were presented with a bell, to be used in case of an argument breaking out between the two lovers.  As soon as the bell was rung, the argument had to stop, and the dispute would be settled immediately.  After the couple got married the bell was placed in a fancy cabinet and took pride of place in their home.  In true accordance with the tradition, after one partner had rung the bell to stop an argument, it was the turn of the other partner to ring when another little problem popped up!

 The chime of bells was not only to restore harmony it was thought to keep evil spirits away, and also remind couples of their wedding vows.  Giving a bell as a gift has become a very popular Irish Tradition.  Some brides have even given guests tiny bells to ring as she walks down the aisle.

• Another quaint custom was to invite the groom to the bride’s family home, just before the wedding.  The family cooked a goose with apple-potato stuffing in his honor, this was called ‘Aitin the gander’.  Hence the old Irish saying “his goose was cooked”!
• The old Irish quotes ‘Marry in May and Rue the Day’ and ‘Marry in April if you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man’, caused quite a stir in the old days.  It is well recorded that many a bride changed her wedding date after hearing these traditions and got married in April.
• It was unlucky to marry on a Saturday and those who married in Harvest would spend their time gathering.  It was thought to be lucky if you married during a ‘Glowing Moon or a Flowing Tide’.
• A fine day meant Good Luck, especially if the sun shone on the bride.  If you’re a Roman Catholic, one way to make certain it wouldn’t rain was to leave the statue ‘Infant of Prague’ outside the night before your wedding.
• It was thought to be lucky to hear a Cuckoo or see three Magpies the morning of your wedding.
• To meet a funeral on the road meant bad luck for the couple.  If it was known that a  funeral procession was planned for that day, the wedding party always took a different road.
• Irish brides used to carry a real horseshoe for good luck, turned up ways so that the luck wouldn’t run out.   Most Irish brides today still carry fancy replica horseshoes usually given by the flowergirl or pageboy.
• The charm of the ‘Magic Hanky’ involved the bride carrying a special hanky, which with a few stitches, could be changed into a christening bonnet for the first baby.  Then with a couple of snips, it could be turned back into a hanky for the child to use at his/her wedding.
• Many Irish Brides wore a wreath of wildflowers in their hair that included a flower called ‘Bells of Ireland’; these could also be carried in the bouquet.
• A man should always be the first to wish joy to the new bride, never a woman.
• When leaving the church someone must throw an old shoe over the bride’s head so she will have good luck.  If you do this make sure the thrower has a good aim!!!
• It was considered bad luck for the bride to wear green, though it has been said that it is bad luck for anyone to wear green at an Irish Wedding.
• It was bad luck for the bride or groom to sing at their own wedding.
• Couples ate salt and oatmeal at the beginning of their reception:  Each of them took three mouthfulls as a protection against the power of the evil eye.
• It was considered bad luck if a glass or cup was broken on the wedding day.
• When the couple were dancing the bride darn’t have both feet of the floor at the same time because the fairies would grab her.  Fairies love beautiful shiny things and one of their favourites is a bride!  There’s many an Irish legend about brides being spirted away from their wedding by the Little People.
• Irish dancers were in abundance at weddings in the old days.  Today it’s very popular to hire a group of young dancers.  They could hand out your program before the ceremoney and later dance at the reception.  Dressed in full regalia, it would add a real Irish touch of pageantry and colour to your wedding.
•  The bride’s mother-in-law broke a piece of the wedding cake on the bride’s head as she entered the house after the ceremony.  This was believed to make them friends for life.
• The top teir of the wedding cake was an Irish Whiskey cake, which was saved for the Christening of the first baby.  Now days a bottle of Champagne is saved from the reception so it can be used to ‘wet the babies head’ at the Christening.

One of the oldest drinks in Ireland is a honey wine named ‘Bunratty Meade’.  Tradition states that it was consumed at weddings, because it was thought to promote virility.  Couples also drank it from special goblets for a full month after the wedding, which is supposedly where we get the term ‘honeymoon’.  This was to protect the couple from the fairies coming to spirit the bride away.

 I will add more as I find them, please feel free to add any not mentioned to my blog.

Sláinte!

18 Months to One-Year Ahead
v Bookmark this website you will need it over and over again
v Announce engagement to family and friends
v Buy a wedding planner or Notebook, draw up a to do list
v Decide whether to have a church or registry ceremony
v Contact the priest, celebrant or registrar to set date and discuss requisites
v Catholic services book your Pre Marriage Course.
v Discuss and decide on a joint budget.
v Who’s paying for what? Check with your parents and families
v Decide on a venue and check the availability of dates
v Choose your bridal party. – Delegate duties from your to do list.
v Choose witnesses, usually the chief bridesmaid and Best Man, who must be over age 18.
v If you are using a wedding coordinator contact them as soon as possible.
v Compile your guest list: Discuss with all parents, you can shortlist it later.
v Attend local Wedding Fayers to get ideas and check out special offers.
v Book photographer and videographer
v Order wedding dress, veil, shoes, lingerie, and accessories
v Organise music for the ceremony
v Book entertainment for reception.
v If you haven’t heard them perform try to see them before you book them.
v Book the Florist.
v Plan and book honeymoon.
v Update passport, Check to see if you need a travel visa. Update your international driver’s licence if needed.

Six Months – Four Months to go
v Update your wedding planner or notebook of items done and items to do.
v Compile wedding gift list.
v Finalise guest list be practical and refer to your budget.
v Decide on wedding vows, Research special readings, prayers, and songs.
v Order stationery - invitations, place setting cards, thank-you cards etc.
v Buy wedding rings. Make sure the bride’s ring and engagement ring are the same carat gold.
v Organise Groom’s attire: purchase or hire.
v Order bridesmaids dresses and attire for bridal party.
v Have a medical check up and visit the dentist.
v Book transport.
v Order wedding cake.

Four Months to Two Months to go
v Update your wedding planner or list of items done and items to do.
v Complete and return notification to the registrar of intent to marry.
v Choose music for ceremony and reception advise your musicians.
v Review ceremony details with the celebrant.
v Make arrangements for out-of-town guests.
v Create a web page or blog for guests to access info
v Confirm your menu and wine for reception.
v Purchase a going-away outfit, suitable for where you are traveling to
v Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts.

Two to four weeks to go
v Update your wedding planner or notebook of items done and items to do.
v Post invitations
v Honeymoon – purchase suitable clothes, skin care etc for destination.
v Buy gift for bridesmaids and flower girl.
v Inform family and bridal party about wedding rehearsal.
v If changing your name, complete all necessary paperwork.
v Make appointment with hairdresser…bring veil/head-dress.
v Make appointment with beautician.
v Print wedding booklets, Kelt font very suitable for weddings
v Purchase guest book if you are using one.
v Bridal gown fitting.
v Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts.

Two Weeks to go
v Update your wedding planner or notebook of items done and items to do.
v Arrange seating plans and write place cards
v Write and practice wedding speech
v Test Makeup
v Attend Hen/Stag night. You will be too busy on the final week.
v Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts.

One Week to go
v Update your wedding planner or notebook of items done and items to do.
v Give banqueting manager final guest count
v Have a facial or other beauty treatment
v Break-in new wedding shoes
v Phone all vendors to confirm details
v Enjoy hen party!
v Get money organised for honeymoon
v Check credit cards are valid for duration of honeymoon
v Pack for honeymoon
v Confirm honeymoon arrangements
v Write thank-you notes as you receive gifts.

One day to go
v Update your wedding planner or notebook of items done and items to do.
v Finalise seating plans.
v Confirm transportation.
v Write and post thank-you note to your parents
v Have a manicure.
v Attend rehearsal.
v Give each member of your wedding party their gifts.

The Big Day
v Eat your breakfast. We don’t want you fainting on the altar.
v Get to ceremony on time.

Don’t forget to relax and enjoy the rest of your big day.

Sláinte!

The next step is to make a list of venues that suit your criteria and contact them requesting their wedding packages.  You then shortlist them and make arrangements to view them before making final decision.  Bring a checklist of your requirements, here are some suggestions for your list

• Capacity of function rooms, don’t forget your evening guests in your total count
• Liability insurance for the size of your wedding
• Head-table arrangements, bride and groom chair decor
• Disability access
• Photography opportunities
• Red carpet entrance
• Tea & Coffee or Sherry welcome at entrance
• Wine included in the meal price
• Or do they charge corkage if you supply your own wine?
• Music in reception e.g. pianist or piper
• Cake stands, pillars and knife supplied
• Facilities for children
• Bridal party changing room
• Free overnight accommodation for the bride and groom
• Special offer accommodation rates for the guests
• Local Guesthouses for additional guests
• Rates for evening buffet
• Charge for supplying your own buffet
• Parking facilities
• Smoking rules
• Renovation plans from now until your wedding day

Ask the manager about restrictions on finishing times, some have relaxed views others have a strict policy.  Check if there is another wedding venue the same day as yours, you don’t want to be arriving at the same time!!

While availability will be a big part of your choice it is important to be happy with your venue.  Be prepared to make many trips there before your special day.  Ask to view the banqueting room fully dressed for a wedding to give you a better perspective on the potential.  When deciding on your menus ask for food tasting this is quite acceptable these days. While organizing the festivities in your venue you will get to know the banqueting manager very well, listen to their advice as they deal with weddings on a weekly basis and have learned a lot.  Check if they are on duty the day of the wedding, if not arrange to meet and familiarise yourself with the assistant.  Many venues also have a wedding coordinator on staff at no extra cost.  Their role is to make sure everything runs smoothly for your wedding day so make sure you take full advantage of them.

When it comes to cost don’t be afraid to negotiate a better deal, venues may not drop their price, but they might add a number of extras such as flowers and table decor.  Remember that you are the paying customer and that competition between venues to secure weddings is fierce; so use this to your advantage.

Sláinte!

Wearing the ring on the right hand, with the crown and heart facing out symbolizes that the wearers heart is free to be won.  If dating and in love the ring is still worn on the right hand but with heart and crown facing inwards.  Wearing the ring on the left hand, with the crown and heart facing inwards signifies that the wearer has given their love to one and got married.  The expression which was associated with these symbols in the giving of the ring was ‘Let love and friendship reign’.  One phrase linked to the romantic side of the ring’s symbolism is ‘With these two hands, I give you my heart, and crown it with my love’.

According to legend Richard Joyce, bound for the West Indian slave plantations was kidnapped by a gang of Mediterranean pirates.  He was then sold to a Moorish goldsmith who during his long years of exile helped Joyce perfect the skills of a Master Craftsman.

King William III bartered the release of the slaves in 1989, Joyce returned to Galway despite the Goldsmiths offer of his daughter’s hand in marriage and a handsome dowry.  There he settled in a fishing village called Claddagh, married his first true love and had a fruitful business as a goldsmith, producing the Claddagh Ring.

Traditionally handed down from mother to daughter as a family hierloom, the Royal Claddagh Ring has become a symbol of ties with the past and generations gone by.  Irish people remember the many who had to leave Ireland with nothing but their lives during the Great Famine of the 19th Century.  Many leaving from Cork harbour to make the long voyage across the Atlantic to Americia.  The Royal Claddagh ring became a permanent link with their home country and family inheritiance.

 Sláinte

The Irish Wedding Song
Play the Midi Click Here

they’ve exchanged wedding bands

Today is the day of their dreams and their plans,

and all we who love them just wanted to say.

May God bless this couple who married today

In good times and bad times in sickness and health

may they know that riches are not needed for wealth

and help them face problems they’ll meet on their way

Oh god bless this couple who married today

May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind

May the rough times ahead become triumphs in time

May their children be happy each day

Oh God bless this family who started today

As they go may they know every love that was shown

And as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow

Wherever they travel wherever they stay

May God bless this couple who married today

*substitute first names of bride and groom in the last line of song

Sláinte

Use 1 x 12″ / 30cm cake

Ingredients

• Currents                            1lb 12oz / 800 gms
• Sultanas (golden raisins)         1lb / 450 gms
• Raisins                                       9oz / 250 gms
• Shredded Almonds                 7oz / 200 gms
• Glace Cherries                         7oz / 200 gms
• Peel (cut mixed)                     7oz / 200 gms
• Flour                                  1lb 3oz / 525 gms
• Salt 1 teaspoon
• Mixed Spice 21/2 teaspoons
• Butter                                      1lb / 450 gms
• Rich Dark Sugar                     1lb / 450 gms
• Black Treacle 2 tablespoons
• Orange & Lemon Zest 21/2 teaspoons each
• Eggs 8 large
• Vanilla Essence 11/2 teaspoons
• Whiskey or Brandy 4 tablespoons

Cooking time - 41/2 to 51/2 hours

Instructions

1. Grease tin and line with 3 layers of greaseproof paper, extending about 2″ over top of tin
2. Tie a thick band of folded newspaper around the outside of the tin to protect the edge of the cake from over cooking.
3. Have a suitable piece of brown paper to put on top of cake to prevent over browning.
4. Cake will be cooked when skewer placed in center comes out clean.
5. Sort the fruit and remove any stalks or irregular pieces.
6. Mix fruit with halved cherries and 1 or 2 tablespoons of flour.
7. Sift flour, salt and spices
8. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
9. To the butter add the treacle, zests and essences.  Beat well
10. Add the eggs one by one with 1 tablespoon of flour with each egg- beat well.  Fold in the fruit and remaining flour plus add choice of alcohol.  Mix well.
11. Turn mixture into prepared tin and smooth down with tablespoon, making a slight hollow in center.
12. You may leave the cake overnight or until ready to bake.
13. Pre-heat to 300 degrees F / 150 degrees C / gas mark 2.  Bake in center of oven for 11/2 hours.
14. Reduce heat to 275 degrees F / 140 degrees C / gas mark 1 for the remaining of baking time or until top of cake feels firm to touch and skewer comes out clean and dry.
15. Watch cake as it bakes.  Cover with brown paper as suggested above if its over brown.
16. Cool cooked cake in tin then remove paper and turn upside onto a board.  Make small holes in the cake with the skewer and pour on some extra alcohol.
17. When alcohol is absorbed, wrap cake in greaseproof paper and then a layer of foil.  Seal and store in an airtight container and place in a cool place for at least a month.  Finish the cake about a fortnight before the wedding.
18.  Cover with white Irish Royal Icing or Fondant icing 

Sláinte!