IRISH WEDDING TRADITIONS:
In the old days, many Irish brides wore a wreath of wildflowers in their hair; they also carried them in bouquets. For some weddings, a florist designs gorgeous bouquets that included a flower called Bells of Ireland. In Wales, brides carried live myrtle and gave a sprig to each bridesmaid which they planted. If it grew, the bridesmaid would marry within the year. If you’re planning a more general Celtic celebration, this might be worth considering.
IRISH PORTENTS AND OMENS:
* 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 that it won’t rain is to put a statue of the Infant of Prague outside the church before your ceremony.
*It was lucky to hear a cuckoo on the wedding morning, or to see three magpies
* To meet a funeral on the road meant bad luck and if there was a funeral procession planned for that day, the wedding party always took a different road
* The wedding party should always take the longest road home from the church
* It was bad luck if a glass or cup were broken on the wedding day
*A bride and groom should never wash their hands in the same sink at the same time—it’s courting disaster if they do
* It was said to be lucky if you married during a ‘growing moon and a flowing tide’
* When leaving the church, someone must throw an old shoe over the bride’s head so she will have good luck
* If the bride’s mother-in-law breaks a piece of wedding cake on the bride’s head as she enters the house after the ceremony, they will be friends for life.
