Irish Weddings, it’s all about the luck

The multi-faceted Irish can be deeply religious, supremely superstitious and hearty partiers, all at the same time. They also believe in courting as much luck as possible. Fortunate is the couple that ties the knot on St. Patrick’s day, that most Irish of holidays. That day is considered the luckiest anniversary date in all of the Emerald Isle.

A Claddagh ring is the preferred wedding band. The familiar symbol of a heart being held by two hands and capped by a crown originated in the town of Claddagh and has become an Irish symbol known around the world. Worn on the left hand with the heart pointed outward signifies that the wearer is engaged; with the heart facing in, she is married.

The tradition of the wedding couple walking to the church together before the service is still carried out in some small villages. People would throw rice in blessing and sometimes pots and pans in good natured fun. The bride usually wore blue, the colour of purity, and carried English lavender in her wedding bouquet. That fragrant purple flower was thought to represent love, loyalty, devotion and a heavy dose of luck. The bride’s hair was usually braided, another age old symbol of luck and feminine mystique.

Traditional Irish honeymoons lasted a month. Even if couples had eloped, it was thought that after that period she would most likely be pregnant and the marriage would then be in favour by both parties. In the modern age, couples incorporate many of the old fashioned ways into their weddings. It is a good bet that the month long honeymoon is very much in favour.