| Honor your Emerald Isle heritage with | | | | is NOT a four-tiered confectionary |
| traditions that are romantic, clever, and a | | | | concoction. Eeeek!Noise MakersA noisy way to |
| couple that are downright strange. Uncover | | | | ring in your nuptials with the luck o' the |
| here how to fill your wedding with all things | | | | Irish is to have a recessional like those in |
| Irish save the Blarney Stone.Harvest | | | | Celtic history: instead of throwing rice upon |
| KnotsAccording to history, Irish men declared | | | | exiting the church, men would fire rifles or |
| their intentions of marriage by giving their | | | | other firearms into the air to signal that a |
| fiancee harvest knots of straw decorated with | | | | couple is wed. Not your traditional exit |
| flowers or bells to wear in their hair or | | | | (most churches would frown upon guns in the |
| around their neck. Make a harvest knot to | | | | parking lot), if the men use blanks in their |
| wear on your wedding day, or place one in | | | | guns, and if you are getting married in an |
| your bouquet to symbolize your Irish | | | | area without noise ordinances, then fire |
| heritage.CeilidhThe steps of Irish folkdances | | | | away, Irish style.Giving the CladdaghTwo |
| are called ceilidh. Treat your attendants to | | | | hands holding a heart underneath a crown is |
| an Irish dancing lesson, and then "perform" a | | | | the Irish symbol for "Let Love and Friendship |
| jig to traditional Irish music at the | | | | Reign". Share your Irish heritage with your |
| reception.Lace! A way to incorporate Celtic | | | | attendants by giving them Celtic-inspired |
| pride into your wedding attire (besides | | | | gifts marked with the claddagh. Give your |
| hand-beading four leaf clovers all over your | | | | maid of honor a candle gift engraved with the |
| gown) is to adorn yourself with beautiful | | | | "faith ring", or jewelry made of claddagh. |
| Irish lace. Known for its intricate patterns | | | | Buy claddagh wedding rings, or wear the Irish |
| and zenith quality, wear a veil or carry a | | | | symbol around your neck on your wedding day |
| handkerchief made of this intricate Irish | | | | as a reminder of your heritage.Tokens of |
| decoration.Playin' o' the PipesInfuse your | | | | HairA more unusual Irish tradition is for the |
| ceremony with the strains of the Irish pipes. | | | | man to give the woman he loves a bracelet |
| Although bagpipes have Celtic roots, they are | | | | woven of human hair. Symbolic of acceptance, |
| traditionally Scottish. For a truly Emerald | | | | when the woman wears the circle of hair, she |
| Isle affair, locate an Irish uillean piper to | | | | is linking herself to him for life. There's |
| lead the processional or recessional.Irish | | | | no mention of exactly who's hair it is, |
| Wedding FeastThe customary wedding feast in | | | | however, so if wearing hair jewelry gives you |
| Ireland was a potluck hosted at the bride's | | | | the heevies, see "Harvest Knots" for the same |
| family's home. Each guest brought traditional | | | | idea, using straw instead. Lucky DatesThe |
| Irish dishes such as soda bread, coddle, and | | | | traditionally superstitious Irish believed |
| stew. Even if you're having a more formal | | | | that the last day of the year is especially |
| reception, you can still celebrate this Irish | | | | lucky, since the couple would wake up on the |
| tradition by having a "feast" for your bridal | | | | first day of their new life on the first day |
| shower or rehearsal dinner.The Wedding | | | | of the new year. Plan your wedding for |
| CakeOld custom dictates that the Irish | | | | December 31, the luckiest of Celtic |
| wedding cake (usually a dense fruit cake with | | | | days.Jackie Duescher provides the customer |
| white icing) was cut by one of the bride's | | | | service for Keepsake Favors as well as |
| sisters or bridesmaids. Where would they cut | | | | inspiration for many of the favor creations |
| it? Over her head, of course. The bride | | | | on the site. Jackie has a special knack for |
| remained seated while the groomsmen held the | | | | finding Irish themed favors for weddings |
| cake over her head while her sister or best | | | | other occasions, and she firmly believes that |
| friend did the honors. Our only concern: this | | | | a favor doesn't have to be expensive to |
| tradition works best and safest when the cake | | | | impress your guests. |