| Having a culturally themed wedding is a wonderful | | | | elements of the Irish into your outfits. For example, a |
| tribute to your heritage. For those hailing from the | | | | green garter with a shamrock or pot of gold button |
| land of rolling green hills, Celtic crosses, and | | | | would be festive. The Irish considered it lucky to be |
| shamrocks, here are some ideas for a traditional Irish | | | | married in a pair of old shoes so you can save some |
| wedding. | | | | money in this department. Brides wore veils when |
| The Claddaugh ring consists of hands holding a heart | | | | getting married to fool "evil spirits" such as |
| with a crown on it. "The hands were for friendship, | | | | leprechauns and fairies. |
| the crown was for loyalty, and the heart was for | | | | Decorations can be as simple as a pot of gold or |
| love." Allegedly from a historical legend the ring is a | | | | planted shamrocks or as elaborate as paper mache |
| powerful symbol of Irish love. It can be used as an | | | | blarney stones or floral arrangements with local |
| embellishment for your wedding invitations as well as | | | | flowers like the Bells of Ireland. Greenery should be |
| for the bride. Other traditional Irish imagery such as | | | | abundant to reflect of the beauty of the "Emerald |
| shamrocks, Celtic crosses, or illustrations from the | | | | Isle". |
| Book of Kells are possible considerations. | | | | The groom traditionally gives his bride and her |
| Embroidery is a historical part of wedding attire for | | | | bridesmaids jewelry the morning of the wedding. The |
| both the bride and the groom. When Queen Victoria | | | | bride in return gives gifts to her fiancée and |
| got married in 1840 she had a symbol for each of | | | | his friends. Cuff links, key chains or flasks of Irish |
| Great Britain's kingdoms embroidered onto her dress: | | | | whiskey are all common ideas for the groomsmen |
| "the Tudor rose of England, the leek of Wales, the | | | | gifts. |
| shamrock of Ireland, and the thistle of Scotland." If | | | | Irish weddings were usually held on or around the |
| having your wedding dress embroidered seems like | | | | time of festivals in Ireland. Beltane, Lughnassadh, |
| too busy a look for you, perhaps you should consider | | | | Samhain, and Imbolc are all historically significant times |
| having your veil embroidered instead. The groom and | | | | of celebration which made marrying during them very |
| his men customarily wear embroidered vests. A | | | | lucky. According to our modern calendar, Beltaine falls |
| Kinsale cloak would be a lovely addition for the bride | | | | on May first, Lughanassadh is August first, Samhain |
| since it was worn by almost all women in the | | | | of course is November first and Imbolc is February |
| eighteenth century. If traditional Irish clothing is not | | | | first. |
| interesting to you, it is still possible to subtly introduce | | | | |