-Q-

I am considering incorporating some Irish traditions into my wedding. Both my Fiance and I come from this Heritage.However we do not want to go overboard. We want to keep our wedding fun yet nice! Do you have any ideas or suggestions?

-Kristen-

-A-

There are many ways you can incorporate your Irish Heritage without it looking tacky. Here are just a few ideas. Remember to keep it fun and have it reflect the both of you!

Invitations:
Your wedding invitations provide an early opportunity to let your guests know that your celebration will have a distinctly Irish feel. Ask your Stationer if they have a Celtic designs available.

Here are a few basic Celtic designs to get you on the right track:

For completely authentic Irish, Celtic invitations, why not order them straight from Ireland or the UK:

Celtic-weddingstationary.com

Scottishweddinginvitations.com

Scrolls & Seals:

For an elegant touch, try to incorporate the Irish language (a version of Gaelic) into the invitation. Include a quote or line of poetry translated into Irish and English.

Ceremony:

Here is a great way to incorporate your Irish heritage into the ceremony. Irish brides often carry a porcelain horseshoe into the ceremony as a symbol of good luck. Petalsporcelian.com You or your flower girl can carry this during the processional.

Or have your florist make a custom horseshoe made with fresh flowers. Online Sports has a set of four for about $19.00. You can have the florist hot glue on white or green button mums and add satin ribbon for the handle ! Use the other 3 for your guest table, gift table or maybe hanging 2 of them on the back of you and your honey's reception chair.

Continue your good fortune: After the wedding, hang the horseshoe above your front door, with the ends facing up. 

Sample Vows & Readings:

Music:

If you have the option of selecting music, "The Irish Wedding Song" by Ian Betteridge and "She Moved Through The Fair," by Padraic Colum. Consider hiring a piper to play the Uilleann pipes (similar to bagpipes) or the bagpipes. Have a harpist or if you want it more upbeat, hire a fiddler to play for your cocktail hour.

The Reception:
Consider selecting a rustic location (Barn) for your reception. Here are a few traditional Irish menu selections:

• Irish (Soda) Bread
• Salmon
• Lamb
• Shrimp
• Mashed potato and cabbage mixture- Colcannon

Other ideas:
Use variations of the color blue. Green, in Irish history was considered unlucky for a bride on her wedding day! However, I am more fond of doing variations of green and brown, and creme. You may also consider to have a gold band of some sort on your china. 

Incorporate symbols of Ireland throughout your entire day- Harp, Celtic Cross, Tara Brooch

Here is a cute place card holder with this theme I offer to my clients:

Have your hair stylist incorporate a braid in your hair - this is done so the *luck* does not fall out!

Have small bottles of Irish whiskey, or Irish Creme as your guest favors.

Miniature Salt and Pepper shakers are also a great favor idea. They symbolize a lucky gift given to your guests.

Name each table after places or people of Ireland or things that symbolize the Irish Culture.

Use Waterford Crystal for your toasting glasses.

The Wedding Toast:

The wedding party gathers around the bride and groom. All fill their glasses with mead or champagne.

The newly wedded couple recites this toast: "Friends and relatives, so fond and dear, 'tis our greatest pleasure to have you here. When many years this day has passed, fondest memories will always last. So we drink a cup of Irish mead and ask God's blessing in your hour of need."

The guests respond: "On this special day, our wish to you, the goodness of the old, the best of the new. God bless you both who drink this mead, may it always fill your every need." You can place this on their menu so the guests know what to say.

Finally:

Here is a great website with a ton of information about Irish weddings, heritage, customs and culture.

Irishculturesandcustoms.com

Carrie Goff