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