Irish Wedding Traditions: 22 Magical Customs for Your Big Day

If you or your partner have Irish heritage, or live in Ireland, you may want to consider incorporating some Irish wedding traditions into your special day.

Irish weddings are rich in history, symbolism and charm. From ancient Celtic rituals to modern takes on traditional lucky horseshoes and Irish music, many couples choose to weave these traditions into their celebrations as a nod towards their ancestry.  

• Ancient Irish Wedding Traditions and Customs
• Ceremony Traditions
• Traditional Irish Attire
• Music and Dance
• Food and Gifts 
• FAQs About Irish Wedding Traditions

Whether it’s just one or two nods to your Irish background, or you’re planning on having a wedding filled with traditional Irish wedding customs, we have the low-down on what they are and some great advice on how you can modernise the old classics to really make them your own.

Irish Wedding Ceremony Traditions by Region and Diaspora 

Ireland may be small, but Irish wedding customs and traditions aren't one-size-fits-all. Depending on where you are or where your family originates from, you'll find local variations, infusions and influences that add even more richness to Irish wedding traditions! The best way to find traditions that honour your own personally heritage is to speak to family and friends or find a wedding planner from that area.

• Northern Ireland and Border Regions: Northern Irish wedding traditions often see a blend of Irish and Scottish influences. Kilts or tartans can make an appearance. 
• Irish Traveller Weddings: The Irish Traveller community has its own unique customs. Decor and dresses are famously extravagant and bold but ceremonies are deeply tied to family honour, community and celebration. 
• Irish-American Weddings: With a huge Irish population in the US it's no surprise that American-Irish weddings are full of nods to their Irish heritage. Think green accents, Baileys desserts and Claddagh rings combined with first-look photos and rehearsal dinners. 

15 Irish Wedding Traditions You'll Love 

Irish wedding traditions weave together ancient customs, heartfelt rituals, and symbolic style to create celebrations full of meaning and magic. From handfasting and ring warming ceremonies to the charm of traditional attire and lively music, each element reflects Ireland’s rich cultural heritage and enduring love for community and storytelling.

Ancient Irish Wedding Traditions and Customs 

Ireland’s ancient and traditional wedding customs are steeped in symbolism, romance, and cultural heritage. From handfasting rituals to the exchange of Claddagh rings, these age-old practices reflect deep-rooted beliefs in love, unity, and prosperity...

1. Handfasting (Tying the Knot)

We’ve all heard the expression ‘tying the knot’, but did you know this originated from the Celtic tradition of handfasting? Handfasting ceremonies are an ancient Irish tradition where the couple hold left hand to left hand and then right hand to right hand with their wrists crossing over. A ribbon is then wound around their wrists and over their hands to symbolise the couple being bound together.

Interestingly, the personification of ‘tying the knot’ is commonly associated with modern-day humanist wedding ceremonies and you can choose ribbons or ties that match your wedding colour scheme. If you want to combine two Irish wedding traditions, why not opt for using Irish lace, or fabric made from your county’s tartan?

2. Gaelic Language and Blessings

Irish (Gaelic) hymns, prayers and blessings that are rooted in ancient lore have been passed down through generations. Now most Irish wedding receptions will have several rounds of blessings and wedding toasts. The people delivering this traditionally include family members, members of the wedding party, friends, and almost anyone else who wants to give well-wishes to the happy couple - and this is all before the traditional toasts begin. Browse more Irish wedding poems here.

You’d need to make sure you had a full glass and take small sips to survive all of those ‘Sláinte!’ moments.

Modern-day couples may want to use bilingual vows or traditional Irish blessings and those who want to keep timings tight could even use the blessings in lieu of wedding readings. 

If you don't want to use Gaelic in your ceremony or blessings then perhaps consider incorporating a Gaelic blessing or phrase on invitations or decor! 

3. The Claddagh Ring 

A well-known Irish wedding tradition is for couples to wear a Claddagh Ring. This significant Irish ring was first produced in the 17th century and the design is named after the fishing village of Claddagh near Galway. The wedding ring is a symbol of friendship, love and marriage which is so fitting for a wedding day.

Traditionally, the Claddagh ring is passed down through the female generations of the family and if you are single then you wear the ring on the right hand with the point of the heart facing the fingertips. If you are in a relationship then the ring is worn with the heart pointing towards the wrist. Once engaged, the ring is worn on the left hand with the heart pointing towards the fingertips and once married it will be worn on the left hand with the heart pointing towards the wrist.

Of course, if you don’t have a Claddagh heirloom in the family then there are a number of jewellers and brands who sell modern and traditional takes on the ancestral Irish ring.

4. Celtic Symbols and Blessings 

In Irish tradition, there are a number of symbols deemed as ‘lucky’. The horseshoe is a symbol of good luck but if you choose to use it as décor or as part of your wedding outfit, ensure it is pointing upwards as that is said to stop the luck from running out. Along with the horseshoe, there are a number of other Irish symbols of good luck such as shamrocks, knots, crosses, rainbows and harps.

Traditionally, brides would have their Irish wedding dresses made-to-order with Celtic symbols embroidered onto their gown. Using white lace and stitching, nearlyweds would embellish the gown with knots, shamrocks or crosses. If a specially made Irish wedding dress isn't for you, but you still want to invoke this tradition, choose a simple wedding dress and have a seamstress adorn it with your favourite Celtic symbols.

If you’re after a more modern take, why not consider using these symbols in your wedding stationery design, or delicately-shaped confetti? You could also have dinnerware with one of the symbols on, or have some embroidered into accessories such as your veil or designer wedding shoes. 

Irish Ceremony Traditions

These unique ceremony traditions add meaning to your special day, as well as Irish charm. From ring warming to locking the church door, they reflect the community aspect of marriage in Irish cultural tradition.

5. Ring Warming Ritual 

The aim of a ring warming ceremony is to give your friends and family a chance to infuse your rings with love and blessings. Guest pass around the wedding rings before the exchange so each person can offer a silent wish or blessing. It's a great way to make your guests feel involved in the ceremony in a more intimate and special way. 

6. Locking the Church Door 

This is a fun Irish wedding tradition for the groom. Irish grooms were traditionally known to get cold feet on their wedding day so when the bride arrived at the church the wedding guests would lock the happy couple in the church so the groom had no chance to escape (eek!).

Cold feet on the wedding day are not unusual - getting married is a huge commitment! Whilst we’re not recommending that anyone be locked in with no escape - this could be quite a funny Irish wedding tradition to incorporate into your wedding ceremony. You could make a big thing about the door being locked and ‘throwing away the key’ so no one can change their mind. This old tradition could be a great way to get your guests laughing.

Sorry to be a snooze - we don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun - but make sure you check with the church’s health and safety policy to ensure you’re actually allowed to lock the door...

7. Ring the Wedding Bells

The sound of ringing bells is traditionally said to keep evil spirits away, restore harmony and to give couples a reminder of their wedding vows. You could have your wedding celebrant or toast master ring bells at important points throughout the ceremony or wedding breakfast to honour this tradition. 

For a more modern take, consider music with bells as part of its make-up or wear a bracelet of tiny bells that you can then wear again and again after your wedding.

Traditional Irish Wedding Attire and Looks

From the richly embroidered Celtic-inspired dresses to kilts reflecting clan heritage, traditional Irish wedding clothes do more than just look the part - they help to tell your story.

8. Wearing Blue 

Do Irish brides wear a blue wedding dress? The traditional answer is yes. The colour blue has historically been associated with purity in Ireland, so many Irish brides would choose this meaningful hue for their traditional Irish wedding dress. You could opt for a beautiful coloured wedding dress, there’s plenty of blue bridal gowns to choose from nowadays.

However, if you want a more subtle nod to the 'something blue' tradition, consider blue undergarments, accessories or even a blue veil to match a white dress.

Considering this is an old Irish tradition, wearing a blue dress or accessory could be seen as a rather modern and quirky touch for most people, as white is widely known as the traditional colour for bridal gowns in the United Kingdom. 

9. Traditional Irish Men's Attire

Traditionally in Ireland, kilt tartans represent the different counties and districts, as opposed to Scottish kilts which represent different clans. As well as the county-specific tartans, there is also an Irish national tartan which can be worn.

For a classic take on the Irish wedding kilt, members of the wedding party can wear a Brian Boru jacket with a bow tie, tux shirt and knee-length socks with matching ribbons along with a Ghillie brogue shoe and a Sporran with shamrock design.

For a more modern take on the look, consider wearing your county’s tartan or the national design as a trouser suit in lieu of the kilt style, or have the tartan material sewn in as the insert to your classic wedding suit. Irish tartan can also be incorporated into your wedding stationery, table runners and even on your wedding accessories. Tartan-bottomed shoe anyone?

10. Have Your Hair in Plaits 

One of the Irish wedding traditions that is super easy to incorporate into a more modern wedding is wearing your hair in braids. You could easily take a leaf out of Millie Mackintosh’s book and don a gorgeous braided wedding hairstyle. Braided hair is traditionally a symbol of power and luck in Ireland so many Irish brides chose to wear this hairstyle on their wedding day in the hope that it brings them the same well wishes.

No matter what your wedding and personal style is, your wedding hair stylist will be able to find a braided wedding hair style for you, be it a traditional style or a modern take on the look.

If you aren’t a huge fan of braided hair and prefer a simple wedding hairstyle, consider using this Irish good luck charm for members of your wedding party.

11. Have a Magic Handkerchief 

The 'Magic Hanky' is a sentimental Irish wedding tradition that dates back centuries. The newlywed would historically carry an embroidered handkerchief on her wedding day and when the couple’s first child is born, that same hanky will be sewn into the baby’s bonnet or become part of the Christening gown.

Another tradition that is really easy to replicate in modern Irish weddings, the handkerchief could be sewn into the lining of your dress if you didn’t want to carry it around, or be kept in your pocket if you have a wedding dress with pockets or opt for a wedding suit or jumpsuit. 

Music, Dance and Celebrations 

Lively jigs, ceilidhs and traditional feasts are all at the heart of an Irish wedding. 

12. Traditional Irish Songs and Hymns 

A great way to play homage to your Irish heritage is through music. You can incorporate traditional Irish wedding songs such as 'The Wedding March', 'Wild Mountain' or 'The Kingdom Come'. These can be used as recessional songs, the first dance song or even in your wedding video. You may also want to include some traditional Irish hymns if you're having an Irish Catholic wedding or a religious Irish wedding.

A modern alternative to this would be to hire a traditional Irish wedding band or singer like Marc Osborne Musician or get your DJ to play more recent Irish music such as The Corrs rendition of 'Haste to the Wedding' or Ed Sheeran's 'Galway Girl' - we all know Ed Sheeran does a great wedding song!

13. Traditional Irish Wedding Dance  

Ceilidhs and group folk dancing still remain a highlight of many Irish weddings - usually at the evening reception. Many couples now combine them with contemporary music to give them a modern twist. 

14. Wedding Breakfast 

An Irish wedding breakfast refers to the post-ceremony meal and often includes traditional foods such as Soda bread, buttered potatoes, hearty stews, seafood or dishes local to the region.

15. Irish Wedding Cake

Traditionally, Irish weddings feature a rich fruitcake as the wedding cake. This fruitcake is often soaked in whiskey or porter (a type of dark beer), giving it a deep, rich flavour. It’s a longstanding tradition that symbolises prosperity and good luck for the couple.

Ancient Irish Wedding Superstitions

If you're a spiritual couple who believes in good omens and superstitions, you'll want to hear these ancient Irish wedding superstitions and know what the do's and don'ts are to ensure the best of luck at your Irish wedding. 

16. Eating Salt

Couples would eat some salt with oatmeal on their wedding day to warn off evil spirits.

17. Tossing Shoes

We’ve all heard of rice or confetti being thrown over couples as they leave their ceremony as a wedded couple - but in Ancient Irish times, it was seen as tradition to hurl shoes over the newlyweds. We’re not sure what’s lucky about being knocked out by a pair of stiletto heels, but that’s what they did!

18. Lucky Birds

It was rumoured in Ancient Irish times that hearing a cuckoo bird or seeing three magpies together would give a couple good luck. Whether it’s true or not, we'll never know.

19. The Child of Prague Statue

Putting a statue of the Child of Prague in the garden of newlyweds before the wedding was said to ensure the couple’s wedding was blessed with good weather - a tradition much needed in the United Kingdom. Some would take this tradition even further and bury a statue in their garden. 

20. Breaking The Cake

One tradition that could end in the food fight to end all food fights was mother-in-laws breaking a slice of wedding cake over their new daughter-in-law’s head. It was said to guarantee a good relationship between the two as they become family. We’re not sure how cake crumbs in the bride’s gorgeous wedding hair would encourage anything positive. 

21. Get Hitched During Harvest

It was said, historically, that getting married during a time of ‘plenty’ such as a harvest would offer good luck to any couple getting married. This was thought to be because a time of new beginnings and prosperity would offer the same good omens to newlywed couples. 

22. Washing Hands Separately

Whilst washing hands on your wedding day is never to be discouraged (germs and all that!), it was said that the couple should never wash their hands together in the same sink on their wedding day otherwise they’d curse themselves with misfortune and bad luck. So remember, separate sinks at all times.

FAQs about Irish Wedding Traditions 

Got questions about Irish wedding traditions? This section answers common questions from the meaning behind handfasting and Claddagh rings to common dances and family blessings. Whether you're planning an Irish-inspired wedding or exploring ways to honour your heritage, these answers offer insight into timeless Irish matrimony.

What is an Irish wedding blessing?

An Irish wedding blessing is a traditional prayer or poetic wish for the couple’s happiness, health, and prosperity. These blessings often reference nature, spirituality, and enduring love, such as the popular line: "May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back."

What do Irish couples traditionally serve at weddings?

Traditional Irish weddings often feature hearty, local dishes. Ingredients like roast lamb, salmon, or Irish stew are common, alongside soda bread and potatoes. For dessert, a rich fruitcake soaked in whiskey or porter, sometimes used as the wedding cake, is a longstanding tradition.

Do Irish weddings include Ceilidhs or dancing?

Yes, dancing, especially Ceilidh, is a vibrant part of many Irish weddings. A Ceilidh involves traditional group dances set to live folk music, encouraging guests of all ages to join in and celebrate together.

What is an Irish wedding coin?

The Irish wedding coin, or "lucky penny," is a symbolic gift from the groom to the bride, representing prosperity and shared wealth. Traditionally, it’s placed in the bride’s shoe or included in the ceremony as a gesture of financial unity and good fortune.

What does the Claddagh ring symbolise?

The Claddagh ring features two hands (friendship), a heart (love), and a crown (loyalty). Worn as a wedding ring, it symbolises lasting commitment. How it is worn can indicate relationship status - facing inward on the left hand means the wearer is married.

Why did Irish brides wear blue?

Before white became the norm, Irish brides often wore blue, which symbolized purity, fidelity, and luck. Blue was considered a sacred, protective colour, making it a meaningful choice for wedding attire.

Irish wedding traditions and customs offer a rich tapestry of symbolism, heartfelt rituals, and timeless celebration. Whether you choose to embrace old Irish wedding traditions, traditional Irish wedding attire, or an Irish feast, combining traditions and making them your own can be a meaningful tribute to your heritage. For more inspiration on making your day unique, why not read about other wedding traditions from the UK and around the world.