Weddings in Ireland have their own traditions and customs. Whether it’s a religious or an atheist wedding, the event is always a real celebration, to be celebrated in the proper manner! So, without further ado, here’s a little insight into Irish wedding customs!
Of course, today it’s more than common for brides to wear white. A true symbol of virginity, it is part of today’s lifestyle.
But this wasn’t always the case in Ireland. That’s why Irish women used to wear blue dresses! At the time, this shade symbolized innocence and purity, and wearing white was out of the question!
A Claddagh ring – Royal Claddagh – cc
When it comes to weddings, it’s impossible to forget to look for wedding rings! Wearing a ring is an essential part of sealing a union! And what could be better than wearing a typically Irish wedding ring?
The Claddagh ring is the perfect wedding band. It’s an Irish-made ring, whose origins date back over 300 years! Legend has it that a couple living around Galway were separated, the man having been enslaved by a Turkish goldsmith. The latter would then have worked for him for many years, before being able to join his beloved. On his return, he gave her a ring he had made himself: the Claddagh ring.
This wedding ring takes the form of 2 arms holding a crowned heart.
But be careful how you wear it! If it’s worn on the right hand with the crown facing outwards, you’re telling the one you love that love is possible. And when you wear the ring on your left hand, crown outwards, your two hearts have become inseparable (synonymous with marriage).
Among other Irish traditions, it’s common for couples to tie their hands together at the altar. For this, the newlyweds use a thin cord, which they wrap around their hands and wrists, so that they’re completely tied to each other.
A way of symbolizing their union and commitment. Rather romantic, don’t you think?
Among other traditions, there’s a rather amusing one. In fact, it would be permissible for women to propose every 4 years, on leap years!
So every February 29th, many Irish men can potentially be proposed to by their beloved!
The origins of this tradition can be traced back to Saint Brigitte, the patron saint of the Irish. The latter is said to have asked Saint Patrick for exceptional permission to allow impatient women to make their own marriage proposals.
To which Saint Patrick would have said yes, on condition that it only took place every 7 years! Saint Brigid retorted that the periodicity was too long, and managed to negotiate 4 years, based on leap years. And so the tradition was born!
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