Feeling connected to your culture? Nothing compares to the celebration of heritage that can be found at a traditional Irish wedding. An authentic Irish wedding ceremony blends beautiful symbolism and art into a romantic tapestry inspired by centuries of history and tradition. Learning the stories behind these traditions, where they began, and what they mean to us today, is part of what makes Irish traditional weddings so personal and so special. Where did the Claddagh ring come from? Why do Celtic knots look that way? What is the significance of the shamrock? We’ve compiled a bit of background as well as some key tips and ideas for adding these and other elements to an Irish Celtic wedding design of your very own!

Is Your Traditional Irish Wedding “Irish” Enough?

• Most modern weddings already draw from Irish and Celtic tradition, so don’t worry that your own wedding isn’t Irish enough. Instead, use your ceremony as an opportunity to educate your guests!

Looking forward to the bouquet toss or relaxing on your honeymoon? You can thank the Irish and the Celts for both! Most brides don’t realize it, but many of the most popular features of the modern wedding are direct decendents of Irish and Celtic culture.

By working a little history of some popular traditions into your ceremony, you can easily give your guests a Celtic experience that is as fun and romantic as it is informative. The back of your wedding programs, for instance, is a great place to explain the origins of your favorite traditions or the meaning of the symbols your guests may encounter at your celebration. There are literally hundreds of stories, and researching them can be some of the most fun you’ll have planning your wedding.

Use Celtic Knots for Your Wedding Rings and in Your Theme

• Celtic knots are a universal symbol for eternity that have come to define Celtic culture and the look of Irish weddings.

Celtic knots are one of the most ancient styles of art still practiced today. Incredibly intricate and mathematically precise, these designs have been perfected over the centuries and can be used as the main visual element of your Celtic wedding design.

But what do they mean? A great deal of debate surrounds the exact significance of these braids and what they meant to early Celtic artists. No complete record explaining the “language” of Celtic knots has ever been found, but research suggests the Celts were first inspired by the elaborate root systems of oak trees. The Celts believed trees were natural symbols of eternity, and there is strong evidence that the endlessly repeating patterns in Celtic knots were intended in part to represent the infinite cycles of the natural world.

In spite of the mysteries surrounding Celtic knots, few will dispute their stunning beauty and their ability to capture the imagination. The connection between the endless weaves of these knots and the unbreakable bonds of love is immediately recognizable, and Celtic knots are rightfully one of the most versatile decorative symbols of an Irish wedding.

Experience the Love, Loyalty, and Friendship of the Claddagh Ring

• The Claddagh ring is ancient symbol that represents the three qualities of any successful marriage.

You may have seen them on the fingers of young brides or in movies and television — the Claddagh ring is a centuries old design that has recently made a comeback among women and even some men as a symbol of Irish pride and heritage. Named after a small fishing village in Ireland, the Claddagh ring features a circle that ends in two hands clasping a heart topped with a padded crown.

Each of the three parts of the Claddagh ring has a specific meaning that has made it a favorite addition to the modern Irish wedding ceremony. The hands represent friendship, the heart of course represents love, and the crown represents loyalty. The traditional expression associated with the Claddagh ring explains it simply, “With my two hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my loyalty.” The combination of these elements is also considered by many to be a metaphor for the Catholic Trinity, while the circular nature of the ring itself, like the Celtic knot, is also said to be an expression of infinity.

• Claddagh designs can be used for more than just wedding rings and look beautiful on a variety of wedding accessories.

While Claddagh wedding rings are becoming increasingly common, they can be worn by unmarried women and are a popular standalone fashion. Claddagh rings can also be used in other parts of your wedding and often make appearances on unity candles, embroidered onto ring pillows (a particularly nice use for the design), and even wedding cake toppers.

• The myths surrounding the origins of the Claddagh ring are full of adventure, magic, epic romance, and make for great stories to tell at your wedding.

The exact origins of the Claddagh ring are shrouded in legend; though elements from the design such as the clasped hands have been traced clear back to the Roman Empire. The look of the Claddagh ring as it is known today dates to the 1600s, but Irish folklore has at times credited a fisherman, a prince, and even a magical eagle as the original artist.

Our favorite story of the ring’s origin is also the most romantic and is likely partially true. A fisherman named Richard Joyce was attacked and captured by Algerian pirates near the West Indies and sold into slavery in Tangiers. A slave to a goldsmith for over 14 years, Joyce is said to have designed the ring as a promise that he would one day return to the love he left behind in Ireland. Joyce was eventually freed; he went back to Ireland with his ring, married his sweetheart, and became a successful goldsmith in his own right.

Use Shamrock Accents for an Immediate Irish Flourish

• Shamrocks don’t just “look” Irish, they are also connected to Celtic knots and Claddagh rings in meaning.

Shamrocks are by far the most widely recognized emblems of all things Irish and are, of course, an indelible part of St. Patrick’s Day. No Irish wedding ceremony would be complete without a nod to them, but the deeper significance of the shamrock and its relationship to other Irish symbols is perfect for tying your wedding theme together.

Just as with the three parts of the Claddagh ring, the three leaves of the shamrock is also an important symbol of the Holy Trinity. According to legend, St. Patrick himself used the shamrock in his travels to explain the concept the Trinity to converts across Ireland. Even more, the trefoil shape of the shamrock is also found over and over again in many Celtic knots.

The accuracy of the St. Patrick story is debatable, but don’t expect the shamrock to disappear from Irish culture anytime soon. They are the ultimate natural symbol of what it means to be Irish and are a simple blend of all the stories, faith, and timelessness of Irish heritage.

• Use shamrocks as a natural complement to the other symbols of your wedding.

The decorative potential of shamrocks is essentially endless and you can feature them anywhere from your wedding gown to your table confetti. We especially like seeing them used in centerpieces and bridal bouquets, but what’s best to keep in mind is that Celtic knots, Claddagh rings, and shamrocks can all be used interchangeably and their special meanings complement one another. Find a balance that feels right for you, and your Irish wedding will be as authentic as you want it to be.

Irish Traditional Weddings Are a Way to Tell Your Story

The best part of Irish traditional weddings is there’s always more to explore, learn, and discover! Irish and Celtic culture is a deep well that can be drawn from again and again when planning your wedding, and now you have all the basics you need to get started. So, go ahead and lose yourself in the stories and the artwork for awhile — you’ll find that the true magic of Ireland is in its stories and ultimately in your heart!

About the Author Brian Cross:

Brian Cross has been an active freelance writer and researcher since 2007. He also regularly writes articles, tips, and content for BridesVillage.com, an independent retailer of wedding accessories.

In the early stages of wedding planning, many brides have a lot of fun perusing bridal magazines and wedding websites for inspiration. The only problem is that when it comes time to start bringing your vision to life, many of the elements can end up being way more costly than you ever imagined. To trim expenses while still having the beautiful wedding you designed, try substituting similar, but more affordable, elements for your ceremony and reception. You can end up with a wedding that meets your every expectation, including the total budget.

Instead of this: A six tier wedding cake decorated with handmade sugar flowers, a la Silvia Weinstock.

Substitute this: A cake with a real bottom tier and upper tiers made from Styrofoam. Once the whole cake is frosted, it will be impossible to tell that the top layers are fake. Decorate with fresh flowers instead of labor intensive sugar blossoms to save even more money.

Instead of this: A stack of diamond bracelets from Harry Winston (sorry, girls, they only let you borrow them if you are a movie star headed for the Academy Awards!).

Substitute this: A stack of sparkling Swarovski crystal bracelets. The Swarovski crystal bracelets will be glamorous and sparkly, yet won’t cost as much as a down payment on a house.

Instead of this: Custom letterpress wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, and thank you notes with your monogram on them.

Substitute this: Imprintable wedding stationery with a letterpress motif, such as a flower or a bird. The paper will have a lovely letterpress design on it, but you will save hundreds by doing the printing of the words yourself on a high quality home printer. There are a huge number of beautiful letterpress imprintable invitations from which you can order, both online and through traditional stationers.

Instead of this: A silk wedding gown which is heavily embellished with intricate crystal beadwork.

Substitute this: A simple silk wedding gown with a bold crystal trim around the waistline. You can get more sparkle by choosing a veil with crystal accents, crystal bridal jewelry, and a crystal tiara, but none of it will add up to as much as a gown which has been painstakingly handbeaded for countless hours.

Instead of this: Thousands of roses for your bridal bouquets, reception centerpieces, and ceremony decor.

Substitute this: A combination of roses with less costly flowers. Lisianthus are a favorite secret weapon of florists when trying to cut the cost of the floral budget as they have a very similar look to roses at a lower price. Use them to add fullness to your wedding arrangements without driving the price sky high.

About the Author Laura Firenze

Laura helps brides with their wedding plans by offering advice on selecting bridesmaids gifts,reception ideas and other aspects of planning a wedding. Visit us at http://silverlandjewelry.com/ to see our spectacular collection of Swarovski crystal bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. All jewelry orders over $99 ship for free, so visit today!

Whether your family member has recently passed away or it has been many years, the void is felt on this day more so than any other. How do you honor these family members while balancing the joy of your wedding celebration? Here are some tips on how to incorporate the memory of your loved ones without turning your wedding ceremony into a funereal experience.

Be sure to discuss your wishes with three very important people–your fiancé(e), any surviving spouses of the deceased, and your officiant. You will want to let your fiancé(e) know to what depth you want your deceased family member mentioned in the ceremony. Be sure you are both on the same page in your comfort level with this. Bear in mind that this is also a difficult time for the surviving spouse. You’ll want to ascertain their comfort level with whatever honorarium you elect to incorporate. And lastly, use your officiant as a resource. He or she has done this a time or two and can make suggestions as to how to tactfully memorialize your loved one. Your officiant should also be alerted to the fact that the wedding day will be a difficult time for certain family members and he or she can assist by extending comfort and support where needed.

It might be easier for you to honor your loved one at the rehearsal dinner than on the day of the wedding itself. Since it is customary for the bride and groom to toast their parents at this dinner, it would be a natural extension to say a few words in tribute to your deceased family member. The rehearsal dinner will have less people than the wedding so it might increase your comfort level in speaking about such an emotional occurrence. Also, it is likely that your closest friends and family will be in attendance at the rehearsal dinner, making an emotionally intimate moment all the more meaningful.

If you’d rather include a memorial on the wedding day itself, consider the following options.

*Place some words of tribute into your program.
*Have an empty chair in remembrance of your family member. The bride or groom may place a rose on the chair as they pass, in silent tribute.
*In response to the question, “Who gives Bride in marriage?” the response might be, “In memory of her mother (father), I do.”
*The bride might want to carry a memento of her loved one–a handkerchief, a piece of jewelry, or a small photography tucked into her bouquet.
*After welcoming the guests, your officiant may add words saying, “Before we begin our celebration today, Bride and Groom would like us all to take a moment to remember those family members who can be with them today solely in spirit, especially (insert names).
*Include a photo of the deceased family member on the altar or unity candle table.
*Have a memorial candle which the bride or groom (or both) will light at the start of the ceremony.
*Compile a floral centerpiece. Have a vase on the altar, or at the back of the ceremony site. Give each guest a flower as they enter and have them place it in the vase. During the ceremony, one last flower can be placed in the vase in memory of the deceased family member. As a final symbolic gesture, the bride and groom can each insert a red rose into the center of the arrangement, signifying them being surrounded by the love and support of their family and friends. The arrangement can be used to decorate the head table or in another location at the reception.
*Have a song or reading at the ceremony and dedicate it to your deceased love one.
*At the reception, if the deceased was either the groom’s mother or the bride’s father, the bride or groom can dance the “parent’s dance” with another partner, but dedicate that special dance in memory of their parent.
*If you have a blessing said prior to the meal, the minister can incorporate a few words about the deceased.

However you decide to memorialize your loved one, remember that it is an intensely personal decision and there is no right or wrong way. What matters is your comfort level. Expect that your wedding day will be a roller coaster of emotions (it is for everyone, regardless of whether or not they’ve experienced the death of a family member).and be gentle with yourself and each other. And remember that you and your new spouse will have a very special guardian angel looking over for you as you enter your married life together.

Maureen Thomson is a wedding officiant and owner of Lyssabeth’s Unique, Joyful & Memorable Ceremonies. Visit her website at www.MemorableCeremonies.com, www.RockyMountainWeddingOfficiants.com or www.MemorableCeremoniesBA.com

Memorial Wedding Candle Ideas

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White Rose Memorial Candle Set $64.00	Light Shines Floating Memorial Vase and Candle $33.00	Silver Pillar Candle Holder $22.00

Family Sand Ceremony Generally the sand is poured into the central vase in the following order: 1.Father 2.Mother 3.Children 4.Father and Mother together.

If you or your fiancé have children from a previous marriage or relationship, you’re certainly not alone. Blended families are so commonplace these days that it’s not unusual to see children from previous marriages take part in their parent’s wedding to someone new. Ideally, both the new partner and the child/children involved get along well; but even if that’s not the case, including children from another relationship in the wedding is a wonderful way for each side to reinforce positive feelings about the union and forge new bonds.

Be sure to include your children from the very beginning. Allow them to express themselves, both positively and negatively, so that they’re thoughts are heard and they feel a part of the plans. If you simply announce your intentions, you may be in for some difficult times. When children are invited to take part in your wedding, they’ll be more likely to accept a parent’s remarriage, and the partner who is “marrying into” the existing family will feel closer to the children by giving them an important role in the wedding festivities.

There are many such roles for children in your ceremony as well as your reception. Young children can be flower girls, junior bridesmaids or ring bearers; older children can be ushers, bridesmaids, maids/matrons of honor, male attendants or best men. If the wedding party is especially small—or if there is no wedding party—young children can simply join the wedding couple at the altar, and older children can give a reading, sing a song or play a musical piece. Children can also take part in candle-lighting or sand-blending ceremonies that emphasize the “joining together” aspect of the ceremony.

During the vows, children’s names can be added to the traditional service after the parent’s name(s), so that the partner saying the vow is pledging to accept not just the partner but his or her children, as well. Also, consider incorporating an inside joke or story about an event that involved the child and will have special meaning to him or her. Silly or poignant times that you have experienced with the child make great anecdotes that you can add into the ceremony, whether spoken by you, your fiancé, the officiant or the child. They also make for welcome comic moments in what can be an otherwise solemn occasion.

Another option is for the individual “marrying in” to address a short speech to the child, turning toward him and looking him in the eye while expressing heartfelt sentiments about your life together as a family. This usually works best in more intimate gatherings, but even a brief reference to the future—addressed directly to the child—is appropriate in larger groups. If you and your fiancé will be holding hands and facing each other at any time during the ceremony, a child of almost any age can take charge of your bouquet and hand it back to you once that part of the ceremony is over. And having children in the receiving line is also a nice gesture of inclusion.

I’ve attended many weddings where children took part in the ceremony, and it’s always a lovely, spirit-lifting moment. On one occasion, five children—all under the age of twelve—joined their respective parents in a gazebo that was perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. After the minister pronounced the couple husband and wife, the bride and groom solemnly handed each child a necklace bearing a gold Family Medallion*. Each parent promised to cherish the children and provide them with a loving home. After a group hug, the bride, groom, and children stood facing the (damp-eyed) guests, and the minister presented the new family!

The reception offers other natural opportunities to include children, such as in posing a toast, having father/daughter or mother/son dances or introducing the newly married couple. If possible and appropriate, you and your fiancé should seat your children at the head table with you. They can also be a part of the cake-cutting ceremony or perform a rehearsed dance routine for the guests—which the wedding couple may wish to be a part of as well.

Whatever manner you choose to include your children into your ceremony, be sure to coordinate your wishes with your officiant, who will certainly be helpful with your plans. Including your children will make them feel important and help foster the idea that marriage is not just about joining a husband and a wife, but creating a new family!

Simply opening up the communication, filling children in on decisions made and asking for their opinion during the planning stages will help pave the way for a smooth-running, joyous wedding and the start of a special life together as an expanded family.

To know more about wedding planning and to get new ideas about organizing your wedding, visit Wedding Location.com.

Making an inclusion of the unity candles in your wedding arrangements is something worth doing. But ahead of doing this, you should know that not everything should be done the same. This means that you need not think like every other wedding planner. Think a bit different from others.

It is habitual for the unity candle to comprise of three different parts. One should be for the bride. The second should be for the groom and the third and last should be for both the bride and the groom. Remember that having both of them light one candle is a symbol of uniting their love together. You can make the lighting of the candle a bit different from what is normal. This should be an inclusion of the whole family members. Each family member will be required to light up his or her candle and this will be used to light up the unity candle. Keep in mind that this is also a way to be a symbol of uniting the bride and the groom’s family.

If you want to make the event look extraordinary, there are some features that you can include in the activity. Ahead of lighting the unity candle, every invitee should be offered a candle. When the newly wedded have lit their candles, the entire guest will light their candles from this. Remember that this can be very convenient when only a small guest is present. But the idea at the back of this is to let the world know that not only is there unity between the bride and the groom, but there is unity between family and friends.

If the guest is large, you can decide to devise another simple method. After the unity candle has been lit, it can be placed at a convenient place such as the entrance of the hall and every guest will be provided with a small candle to light from this bigger candle.

4pc. Sand Ceremony Unity Set

Blended Family Unity Candles

Bride & Groom Unity Candles

There are some brides who will think of something completely opposite from the above. This is envisaged when the issue of time is put under discussion. Some people will consider timing to be of utmost importance. They view the process of lighting the unity candle and enjoining others to take part in the process to be a waste of time. If you are of the same opinion as them, you should omit the lighting of the unity candle. There is no problem in this so far as it is a matter of your own deciding. You can decide that the candle will be lighted at a certain but pious moment within the wedding ceremony. You can decide that this should be done at the time of the cutting of the cake.

There are so many alternatives to this. The issue at stake is that there should be a symbolism of unity. Remember that it is not an obligation that a unity candle must be lighted at every wedding ceremony. Your main concern should be to come up with something that will be interesting to your wedding.

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Wedding Invitations and Wedding Ceremony Programs-
Share special details of your special day with your wedding guests.

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Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the wedding ceremony is the reason behind the big party. In reality, the ceremony is one of the few true essentials on the wedding planning checklist, so you’ll need to allot space for it in your wedding budget. Thankfully, vows that wow need not be a budget buster if you follow these seven tips to save on your wedding ceremony.

Site Savings

Two in One

Many reception venues also host on-site ceremonies. The ceremony fee may be built into the cost of the reception or tack on a minimal expense. Hosting both events in the same location will also save on transportation expenses.

Honor Your Faith

If you have a strong religious affiliation, your house of worship will likely host your wedding ceremony. This is good news for your budget, since members of the organization can usually rent the space free-of-cost (although a donation is a nice gesture).

Décor Deductions

Something Borrowed

Plan your wedding near a major religious holiday when your place of worship is decked with festive décor. “Borrowing” your ceremony décor means one less detail to plan – and one less item to purchase.

Simplify Your Site

Overdone decorations are unnecessary for a brief ceremony. Keep décor elements simple (and cost-effective), and save the pricey arrangements for the reception – as this is where your guests will spend the majority of time. For example, strategically placed candles set a romantic ambiance and cost considerably less than flowers.

Go Natural

Cut décor costs further by exchanging vows in a naturally beautiful location. A garden wedding hardly needs additional floral arrangements, while an ornate church may be breathtaking on its own

Music Markdowns

Amateur Alternatives

Ceremony musicians can tack on an extra $500-$1000 if you’re not careful. Consider some alternatives and pocket the extra cash for your reception entertainment. If your ceremony site boasts a respectable sound system, round up some classical CDs and someone reliable to cue the music – and voila – instant background music. Or better yet, ask a talented friend or family member to perform during the ceremony (a perfect job for that cousin you couldn’t quite squeeze into your wedding party). You’ll cut costs and give a special person a significant role on your special day.

Multi-Talented Musicians

Hire your reception entertainment to accompany your ceremony as well. Vendor pricing is much easier to negotiate when you purchase multiple services or package deals.

Now that you’re equipped with some cost saving tips, this complete wedding ceremony guide will walk you through the rest of the process of planning a memorable ceremony.

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete weddings and wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to walk brides and grooms through every step of the planning process.