| When we think of weddings, most of us picture | | | | addition to your wedding attire.But if the traditional |
| the traditional ceremony that has been handed | | | | Celtic gowns aren't your style, you can still |
| down from Victorian England. In recent years, | | | | incorporate some Irish customs into your attire. |
| however, many engaged couples elect to forego | | | | You could have your gown embroidered with Irish |
| those traditions and use their wedding to | | | | symbols, such as the Celtic knot. You could use |
| celebrate their cultural roots. In this article, I'll | | | | handmade Irish lace on your veil and/or dress. |
| provide many ways in which couples can | | | | You could carry a traditional Irish linen |
| incorporate Irish customs into their own wedding | | | | handkerchief and/or wear a green garter with a |
| ceremony, and in a following article, I'll describe | | | | shamrock on it.The groom could dress in |
| traditions regarding the wedding | | | | traditional Celtic apparel, to match the bride. Or |
| reception.Invitations and other wedding stationery. | | | | for a more modern ceremony, he could wear a |
| In most stationery stores, you can find images | | | | green cummerbund or tie with his tuxedo. |
| and symbols common to Ireland, such as | | | | Cufflinks sporting Celtic symbols might also be |
| shamrocks, heraldic harp, Celtic cross, Celtic love | | | | located or specially-ordered.Another tradition |
| knot, swans, and the Claddaugh. You might also | | | | regarding wedding attire is that the Irish consider |
| find that many places have fonts derived from | | | | it lucky to be married in a pair of old shoes. |
| the Book of Kells for the wording in your | | | | Lichte, in "Irish Wedding Traditions," states this |
| invitations.Choosing a date for your wedding. | | | | custom may derive from the "idea of beginning a |
| Traditionally, most Celtic wedding ceremonies | | | | new journey with something familiar, like a |
| were held during one of the four major festivals. | | | | favorite pair of broken-in shoes" (46). Lichte also |
| If you wish to have a spring wedding, why not | | | | suggests using old shoes, rather than tin cans, on |
| during Beltane, which occurs around the first of | | | | the back of the couple's getaway car as leather is |
| May? For a summer wedding, Lughnassadh was | | | | believed to ward off evil spirits and shoes |
| celebrated in early August. Samhain, on November | | | | symbolize fertility (47).Engagement and Wedding |
| 1, is thought by many to be the Celts' New Year | | | | Rings. Today, many brides are choosing emerald |
| and is a popular time for wedding celebrations. | | | | engagement rings, rather than the traditional |
| The last of the four major festivals is Imbolc, | | | | diamond, to symbolize the Emerald Isle.In Ireland, |
| which is celebrated on February 1.Other days | | | | the most popular style of wedding rings is the |
| considered especially lucky to be married on | | | | Claddaugh. This gold band features two hands |
| include: the last Tuesday before Lent, Christmas, | | | | holding a heart which is topped with a crown. The |
| New Year's, St. Patrick's Day, and December 31. | | | | hands represent friendship, the heart love, and |
| In "Irish Wedding Traditions", Shannon McMahon | | | | the crown loyalty. This ring has several legends |
| Lichte explains that "it is thought that your last | | | | surrounding it dating back to Medieval times.In |
| memories of the year you marry should be the | | | | addition, there are many manufacturers of |
| happiest ones" (13).Wedding Attire. If you are able | | | | wedding rings who utilize Celtic themes, such as |
| to do so, consider ordering your wedding gown | | | | the triquetra or Celtic knot. With so many styles |
| from an Irish designer. There are many places on | | | | to choose from, there's sure to be one to please |
| the internet where you can find traditional Celtic | | | | everybody.This ends part one. I hope you've |
| wedding apparel. Even in America, you can find | | | | found these suggestions helpful and that you'll also |
| Celtic wedding designers; a web search will bring | | | | find part two equally informative.Mary Arnold holds |
| up numerous hits.If you do order a traditional | | | | a B.A. in literature and history and is a writer at |
| Celtic wedding dress, you might like to also wear | | | | the website Her portfolio can be found at article |
| a Kinsale cloak (if the weather permits). These | | | | has been submitted in affiliation with which is a |
| cloaks are very beautiful and would make a lovely | | | | site for Wedding Invitations. |