Old Irish Wedding Traditions & Our Top Wedding Gifts.

Hi Everyone. I hope I find you all well. Wedding season is well and truly upon us and we have the perfect wedding gift from Ireland for the happy couple. Before I share my top wedding gifts, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the old Irish wedding traditions. Of course as ever with the Irish, it's always about wishing that happy couple the best of luck as they begin their new life together!

Old Irish Wedding Traditions

1. The Lucky Horseshoe

The horseshoe is used as a symbol of luck the world over. Usually, the page boy or flower girl presents the horseshoe to the bride with the horseshoe facing upwards in its U shape to contain the luck. The use of horseshoes goes all the way back to the time of the Greeks. Their association of the horseshoe with the crescent moon was thought to symbolize fertility.

2. Tying the Knot

The ancient Celtic tradition of hand-fasting involves tying the wrists of the bride and groom together with a piece of rope, twine or cord to represent their everlasting union and how they will remain at each other’s sides for the rest of their lives. Now you know where the phrase "tying the knot" comes from!

3. Blue Wedding Dress

Before white became the most popular choice for wedding dresses,  blue was the most customary and traditional color to wear in Ireland. The color blue was the original color to represent purity way before the recent day popularity of virginal white.

4. The Irish Hanky

The Irish hanky was used by the bride on the day of the wedding and was also used as a symbol for good luck. This hanky was then turned in to a bonnet for the firstborn child to wear on the day of their christening. This tradition would continue through the generations.

5. Marrying in May (Never!)

“Marry in the month of May; you will surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses blow, over land and sea you'll go”

As the poem states “marry in May and rue the day”. The Irish believed that getting married in May was a form of bad luck and it was therefore avoided. Hence the popularity of the June wedding!

Lulu's Top Wedding Gifts

 

1. Ogham Personalized Wedding Plaque With Date

 

Send an Irish wedding gift with a unique personal touch with this gorgeous framed wedding print. The first names or surnames of the bride and groom are beautifully hand painted onto handmade paper in stunning Ogham script, Ireland's oldest form of writing, with the date of their special day. Handmade in Knockcroghery, County Roscommon.

2. Galway Crystal Longford Decanter & 4 Glasses Set

 

Wow the happy couple with the gift of Irish crystal. Our 5 star rated customer favorite decanter set is guaranteed to impress and is sure to be treasured for a lifetime. Beautifully crafted on the shores of the Atlantic coast by the renowned Galway Irish Crystal. The cutting is exquisite and it comes beautifully presented on a polished wooden tray.

3. Traditional Aran Honeycomb Wool Throw

Send them a true piece of authentic Ireland with a beautifully crafted Aran blanket. It features the classic honeycomb stitch, the Aran Islander tribute to the hardworking honeybee which is said to bring good fortune. Made from super soft merino in 4 gorgeous colors.

4. Personalized Framed Double Heraldic Print

 

We have the perfect Irish wedding gift with this double family crest print. Beautifully mounted and framed, it features 2 Irish family crests sitting side by side. A wedding gift to be treasured for generations. Made in Ballina, County Mayo.

5. Himself & Herself Mugs with Hand Painted Shamrocks

So our final pick comes from the iconic Belleek China. Featuring their classic basketweave design and delicately hand painted lucky Irish shamrocks and the words "Himself" and "Herself" on each mug. The perfect gift from Ireland for the perfect match. Handcrafted in County Fermanagh.

So hopefully that gives you some inspiration for those all important wedding gifts.

Take care of yourselves and each other,

Slán go fóill!

Lulu.