Traditional Irish Wedding Reception Customs

In a previous article, I listed numerous Irish customsmusic, search for Irish musicians in your area. Or if
that couples can incorporate into their weddingyou decide on a disc jockey, prepare a play list to
ceremony. In this followup article, I will describe otherinclude Irish musicians such as The Chieftains, Celtic
Irish customs for a wedding reception.Thunder, Gaelic Storm, Da Danaan, Christy Moore,
Decorating the Path. In nineteenth century Ireland, itJames Galway, U2, The Wild Rovers, Loreena
was common for people to decorate the way fromMcKennett, Altan, Druid Stone, and Enya, to name a
the bride's home to the church on the day of herfew. Compilations of Irish party and dancing songs
wedding. Floral garlands, evergreen boughs, lanterns,are also available for purchase. Two of these are
and torches were often used to lead the way to thetitled "New Irish Dance Party" and "130 Irish Party
church.Songs" by Rego.
In Irish Wedding Traditions, Shannon McMahon LichteToasting. In Ireland, it's customary for the bride and
offers several suggestions on how this tradition cangroom to share a cup for their first drink as man and
be adapted for more modern weddings, to helpwife, rather than two separate wineglasses. An
guests find their way to the church and from theinternet search can direct you to many sites which
church to the reception (42). You could decide tosales chalices and goblets with Irish designs. And
attach flower bouquets to trees and signposts, orrather than sharing the usual champagne, why not
less expensive balloons and bows. For a moretoast each other with mead?
distinctive Irish touch, you could use Irish symbolsKissing. In her book, Irish Wedding Traditions, Lichte
such as the Tricolor flag, shamrock, harp, or thedescribes a wonderful variation to the custom of
Claddaugh to adorn trees and signposts along theguests clinking a glass with a spoon to induce the
way.bride and groom to kiss. She reports that at a recent
Reception Decorations. Placing a pot of shamrocks inIrish wedding, guests were asked to stand up and
the center of each table would be very Irish andsing a song or recite a poem with the word "love" in
very festive. But if you prefer traditional flowerit whenever they wanted the newly-wedded couple
arrangements, talk to your florist about havingto kiss (Lichte 140). This involvement of the guests is
flowers native to Ireland, such as the Burnet rose,in keeping with the ancient Irish tradition of
violets, hydrangeas, foxglove, Bells of Ireland, daisies,storytelling and merrymaking.
Irish orchids, ivy, ferns, and primroses.Sharing Riches. In Ireland, it is customary for the
Food and Drink. Talk to your caterer about servingbride and groom to make a donation to a charity, as
Irish dishes. You can find numerous recipes in a Irishit is believed that they will have bad luck in their
cookbook at any major bookstore. For drinks, havemarriage if they do not. Lichte offers several
plenty of Irish whisky and Guinness on hand. Also,suggestions for couples to re-create this custom at
make sure your bartender knows how to make Irishtheir own wedding. You may decide to have a supply
cocktails, such as Irish Spring, An Irish Dog, An Irishof Irish pence for you and your spouse to throw to
Highball, An Irish Seaman, An Irish Lady, and Irishguests when you leave the reception, you could give
Lady Champagne Punch. The recipes for these drinkseach guest a small pouch filled with Irish pence and
can be found in Lichte's Irish Wedding Traditions.confetti to toss rather than rice, or you both could
Wedding Cake. A traditional Irish wedding cake ismake a donation to the charity of your choice in
fruitcake. If you prefer not to use fruitcake, you canyour spouse's name to ensure good luck in your
ask your baker to decorate it with Irish symbols,marriage.
such as swans, a harp, or the Claddaugh and greenThese are only a few suggestions on how to
ribbon and flowers.incorporate Irish customs into your wedding; there
Music. Music has always been an important part ofare many, many more which can be found in a book
any celebration in Ireland, and weddings are noon Irish weddings, of which there are several on the
exception. Having traditional Irish music at yourmarket.
wedding presents little problem. If you prefer live