| In many cases a marriage is recognized both | | | | the previous marriage was not valid.A |
| by a church and the state. While the legal | | | | traditional Irish wedding usually concludes |
| requirements for a wedding are established by | | | | with a toast that has been recited for many |
| the state, many couple wish to follow certain | | | | years. At the end of the reception the |
| religious traditions to have their marriage | | | | guests will gather around the couple for the |
| recognized in their church as well. In the | | | | final toast. The couple will begin the toast |
| Catholic religion marriage is considered | | | | by saying, "Friends and relatives, so fond |
| sacred and is one of the sacraments of the | | | | and dear, 'tis our greatest pleasure to have |
| faith. The Catholic Church puts forth their | | | | you here. When many years this day has |
| own requirements for a marriage to be | | | | passed, fondest memories will always last. So |
| recognized in the eyes of the church.The | | | | we drink a cup of Irish mead and ask God's |
| Claddagh ring has a special meaning in a | | | | blessing in your hour of need."The guests |
| traditional Irish wedding. The Claddagh ring | | | | then respond to the toast with the following |
| is a traditional ring that looks like two | | | | answer: "On this special day, our wish to |
| hands holding a heart that is adorned with a | | | | you, the goodness of the old, the best of the |
| crown. Tradition holds that Claddagh rings | | | | new. God bless you both who drink this mead, |
| be passed down from mother to daughter. As | | | | may it always fill your every need." "Friends |
| these rings are meant to be passed down for | | | | and relatives, so fond and dear, 'tis our |
| generations, it is not considered proper to | | | | greatest pleasure to have you here. When many |
| buy a Claddagh ring for yourself. Yet | | | | years this day has passed, fondest memories |
| another tradition involving the Claddagh ring | | | | will always last. So we drink a cup of Irish |
| relates to how it is worn. An engaged or | | | | mead and ask God's blessing in your hour of |
| married woman or man would wear the ring with | | | | need." The guests respond: "On this special |
| the tips of the crown facing towards their | | | | day, our wish to you, the goodness of the |
| fingertips. In this position the ring is | | | | old, the best of the new. God bless you both |
| considered to be turned inward and symbolizes | | | | who drink this mead, may it always fill your |
| that the heart of the person wearing the ring | | | | every need."Of course, no traditional Irish |
| is taken. A man or woman who is not involved | | | | wedding complete without the presence of |
| in a romantic relationship would wear the | | | | bagpipes and kilts. It is customary for |
| ring with the tips of the crown facing | | | | friends and family members to bring along |
| towards their wrist. This outward position | | | | their bagpipes and pipe the couple into the |
| of the ring symbolizes that the person | | | | mass and into the reception. They may also |
| wearing the ring is reaching out for | | | | continue to charm the guests with an |
| companionship.Traditional Irish weddings also | | | | assortment of bagpipe tunes suitable for |
| adhere to several unusual superstitions in an | | | | dancing. Not only do friends and family |
| attempt to ward off bad luck. A rain or | | | | members enjoy performing for the couple and |
| overcast day might be cause for concern at a | | | | the other guests but they also enjoy taking |
| traditional Irish wedding. This is because | | | | the opportunity to dress in traditional kilts |
| one of the strange superstitions is that the | | | | for the occasion. The look and sound of the |
| sun must shine directly on the bride to | | | | bagpipers creates the feel of a truly |
| ensure that the couple will be blessed with | | | | traditional Irish wedding.A traditional Irish |
| good luck. Birds also factor into some of | | | | wedding is a festive occasion filled with |
| the traditional Irish superstitions. Hearing | | | | good friends, food and music. In addition to |
| a cuckoo bird or seeing three magpies are | | | | these traditional elements the Irish people |
| also considered to be signs of luck for the | | | | also have traditions regarding the Claddagh |
| couple.Another Catholic wedding tradition | | | | ring and standardized toasts that are used to |
| requires that previous marriages receive an | | | | wish the new couple well. Superstitions also |
| annulment before the couple can be married in | | | | play a role in a traditional Irish wedding. |
| the church. Even if the previous marriage | | | | Many of the traditional superstitions relate |
| was not held in the church or recognized by | | | | to objects or occurrences that are thought to |
| the church, they still require an annulment | | | | bring the couple good luck.Bring on the |
| before they will perform a marriage ceremony. | | | | bride! is what we say at bridal shower |
| In this situation a divorce decree is not | | | | invitation, a thoroughly current look at the |
| enough. The previously married party will | | | | ways you can prepare for her Big Day. Your |
| have to seek an annulment that verifies that | | | | printable bridal shower invitation ideas. |