| In a previous article, I listed numerous Irish | | | | list to include Irish musicians such as The |
| customs that couples can incorporate into their | | | | Chieftains, Celtic Thunder, Gaelic Storm, Da |
| wedding ceremony. In this followup article, I will | | | | Danaan, Christy Moore, James Galway, U2, The |
| describe other Irish customs for a wedding | | | | Wild Rovers, Loreena McKennett, Altan, Druid |
| reception.Decorating the Path. In nineteenth | | | | Stone, and Enya, to name a few. Compilations of |
| century Ireland, it was common for people to | | | | Irish party and dancing songs are also available for |
| decorate the way from the bride's home to the | | | | purchase. Two of these are titled "New Irish |
| church on the day of her wedding. Floral garlands, | | | | Dance Party" and "130 Irish Party Songs" by |
| evergreen boughs, lanterns, and torches were | | | | Rego.Toasting. In Ireland, it's customary for the |
| often used to lead the way to the church.In Irish | | | | bride and groom to share a cup for their first |
| Wedding Traditions, Shannon McMahon Lichte | | | | drink as man and wife, rather than two separate |
| offers several suggestions on how this tradition | | | | wineglasses. An internet search can direct you to |
| can be adapted for more modern weddings, to | | | | many sites which sales chalices and goblets with |
| help guests find their way to the church and from | | | | Irish designs. And rather than sharing the usual |
| the church to the reception (42). You could decide | | | | champagne, why not toast each other with |
| to attach flower bouquets to trees and signposts, | | | | mead?Kissing. In her book, Irish Wedding |
| or less expensive balloons and bows. For a more | | | | Traditions, Lichte describes a wonderful variation |
| distinctive Irish touch, you could use Irish symbols | | | | to the custom of guests clinking a glass with a |
| such as the Tricolor flag, shamrock, harp, or the | | | | spoon to induce the bride and groom to kiss. She |
| Claddaugh to adorn trees and signposts along the | | | | reports that at a recent Irish wedding, guests |
| way.Reception Decorations. Placing a pot of | | | | were asked to stand up and sing a song or recite |
| shamrocks in the center of each table would be | | | | a poem with the word "love" in it whenever they |
| very Irish and very festive. But if you prefer | | | | wanted the newly-wedded couple to kiss (Lichte |
| traditional flower arrangements, talk to your florist | | | | 140). This involvement of the guests is in keeping |
| about having flowers native to Ireland, such as | | | | with the ancient Irish tradition of storytelling and |
| the Burnet rose, violets, hydrangeas, foxglove, | | | | merrymaking.Sharing Riches. In Ireland, it is |
| Bells of Ireland, daisies, Irish orchids, ivy, ferns, | | | | customary for the bride and groom to make a |
| and primroses.Food and Drink. Talk to your | | | | donation to a charity, as it is believed that they |
| caterer about serving Irish dishes. You can find | | | | will have bad luck in their marriage if they do not. |
| numerous recipes in a Irish cookbook at any | | | | Lichte offers several suggestions for couples to |
| major bookstore. For drinks, have plenty of Irish | | | | re-create this custom at their own wedding. You |
| whisky and Guinness on hand. Also, make sure | | | | may decide to have a supply of Irish pence for |
| your bartender knows how to make Irish | | | | you and your spouse to throw to guests when |
| cocktails, such as Irish Spring, An Irish Dog, An | | | | you leave the reception, you could give each |
| Irish Highball, An Irish Seaman, An Irish Lady, and | | | | guest a small pouch filled with Irish pence and |
| Irish Lady Champagne Punch. The recipes for | | | | confetti to toss rather than rice, or you both |
| these drinks can be found in Lichte's Irish Wedding | | | | could make a donation to the charity of your |
| Traditions.Wedding Cake. A traditional Irish | | | | choice in your spouse's name to ensure good luck |
| wedding cake is fruitcake. If you prefer not to | | | | in your marriage.These are only a few |
| use fruitcake, you can ask your baker to | | | | suggestions on how to incorporate Irish customs |
| decorate it with Irish symbols, such as swans, a | | | | into your wedding; there are many, many more |
| harp, or the Claddaugh and green ribbon and | | | | which can be found in a book on Irish weddings, |
| flowers.Music. Music has always been an important | | | | of which there are several on the market.Mary |
| part of any celebration in Ireland, and weddings | | | | Arnold holds a B.A. in literature and history and is |
| are no exception. Having traditional Irish music at | | | | a writer at Her portfolio may be found at article |
| your wedding presents little problem. If you prefer | | | | has been submitted in affiliation with which is a |
| live music, search for Irish musicians in your area. | | | | site for Wedding Invitations. |
| Or if you decide on a disc jockey, prepare a play | | | | |