It’s A Nice Day For A Green Wedding: Celtic Wedding Traditions And Your Big Day

by Mia Bolaris-Forget (Staff Writer NYCityWeddings)

There’s something about weddings that brings out the romantic and often nostalgic side in all of us. In fact, our wedding day is a day tied more to tradition than trend. And, that includes, for many, a creative compilation of cultural customs that may also strongly reflect not only family “folklore”, but also rites and rituals of your heritage.

And, when it comes to heritage and fanciful folklore, the Irish and Scottish are “infamous” for leading the way. And, let’s face it, who couldn’t use a little “Luck-O-The Irish” on their wedding day?

In fact, the sounds of regal bagpipers tooting their “horns”, offers something majestic, magical, and merry to any celebration.

A Colourful Celebration:


When most of us think of Celtic wedding celebrations we start seeing green, quite literally. But, traditionally speaking, the colour palate for Celtic weddings was blue; a symbol of purity, modesty, fidelity, sincerity and the hue associated with the Virgin Mary.

Inviting Propositions:

Incorporate a part of your Celtic heritage and setting the mood for your cultural celebration starting with the invitations. Include your family crest or a classic design taken from “The Book Of Kells”. You can even choose to do subtitles of your invite or a traditional poem in Gaelic or Scottish for added elegance and appeal.


Ring In Tradition:

Make your heritage an “official” part of your celebration and marriage by choosing a wedding band design that reflects your culture and heritage. Scottish wedding bands are typically knotwork rings whose design dates back to the 1500s. The Irish symbol of love is the Claddah, featuring two hands holding a crowned heart. And, customarily, unmarried and unattached ladies wear the ring with the crown pointing inward, while spoken for femmes wear it with the crown pointing out.

Other sentimental baubles include the Scottish Lukenbooth (brooch), a token of betrothal and love, made of two intertwined hearts of silver that is often later pinned to the blanket of the couples first born; and the Irish Tara Brooch, a piece that was a product of the Bronze Age, and is said to have been made especially for the high kings of Ireland.

Standing On Ceremony:

The Celtic folk are known for their ardent traditions and their affinity to party. From feet washing, “creeling” or the groom, handfasting, taking each other’s right hand and tying the knot, to carry a porcelain horseshoe and then hanging it with the ends facing up post-ceremony, on your front door, these cultures offer brides and grooms lots of fun ways to customize and personalize their wedding day.

Eat, Drink And Be Merry:

One of the best parts of any celebration, and the part most guests remember most is the food and entertainment. Celtic celebrations have lots to offer in this area too. And, remember, these folks are known to be hearty eaters too.

Consider serving up some traditional treats including: Irish soda bread, salmon, lamb, shrimp (prawns), Colcannon (a mashed potato and cabbage mix) and a tree-tiered whisky-lacked fruitcake with almond past spread adorning each layer, saving the top tier for the birth of your first child. For Scottish celebrations, consider a Penny Wedding, celebrations, where guests were asked to bring their own food and drinks to the church (or nearby castle if available) for a personalized post-nuptial party. The traditional confection among this crown typically consisted of a cake of wheat or barley that was broken over the couple’s head as a fertility symbol. However, more modern “culture” calls for cakes being stacked on top of one another. The bride and groom are then expected to exchange a kiss over the towered tiers without knocking it over. If successful, they could look forward to many years of marital success and bliss.

And, finally, what would a Celtic celebration be without the scintillating sounds of these far-off and fanciful lands. For some old-fashioned and authentic reverie, consider hiring some bagpipers to play at your ceremony, reception or both. You may want your groom and his men to get in on the action. Rent “official” Celtic attire reflecting your family tartan or that representing your particular country (Irish, Scottish, and/or Welsh).

You find kilt rental and bagpipe professionals, such as “Pipe ‘N’ Dance, Pipe Tutor, Celtic Pipers and Event Pipers, right at your fingertips by logging onto LIWeddings.com.