| Irish wedding toasts are becoming more and | | | | This is a twist on one of the more often |
| more the norm these days. Not because it is | | | | heard Irish wedding toasts, "In your life I |
| only Irish couples getting married, but | | | | hope you do four things: lie, steal, cheat |
| because many people have finally seen the | | | | and drink. When you lie, do it to save a |
| timeless elegance and beauty of traditional | | | | friend, when you steal, steal someone's |
| (and even non traditional) Irish wedding | | | | heart. When you cheat, cheat death, and when |
| toasts. | | | | you drink, drink with me." |
| | | | |
| It is not unusual to hear a "Sláinte!" | | | | The traditional version of this toast goes |
| (meaning good health and pronounced something | | | | along the lines of, "There are four things in |
| like "Slawn-tche"), at a wedding these days. | | | | life that you must never do: lie, steal, |
| In fact it has become so popular that you | | | | cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in |
| will even hear some of the guests replying | | | | the arms of the one you love, If you must |
| kind - even if they aren't Irish. | | | | steal, steal away from bad company, If you |
| | | | must cheat, cheat death, And if you must |
| Some examples of good Irish wedding toasts | | | | drink, drink in the moments that take your |
| are, "May the light of friendship guide your | | | | breath away." |
| paths together, may the laughter of children | | | | |
| grace the halls of your home, and may the joy | | | | One of the best Irish wedding toasts though |
| of living for one another trip a smile from | | | | is this very traditional one where the bride |
| your lips, a twinkle from your eye." | | | | and the groom give the toast, and the guests |
| | | | reply to it. "Friends and relatives so fond |
| You can also have something along the lines | | | | and dear, 'tis our greatest pleasure to have |
| of, "May you be poor in misfortune, rich in | | | | you here. When many years this day has |
| blessings, slow to make enemies, quick to | | | | passed, fondest memories will always last. So |
| make friends. But rich or poor, slow or | | | | we drink a cup of this Irish mead and ask |
| quick, may you know nothing but happiness | | | | God's blessing in your hour of need." |
| from this day forward." | | | | |
| | | | The response to this very traditional of |
| There are other good Irish wedding toasts to | | | | Irish wedding toasts, goes along the lines |
| be found, such as, "May your troubles be | | | | of, "On this special day, our wish to you, |
| less, and your blessings be more. And may | | | | the goodness of the old, and the best of the |
| nothing but happiness come through your | | | | new. May God bless you both who drink this |
| door." | | | | mead, may it always fill your every need. |
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