Irish wedding etiquette

It's interesting:
"Tradition decrees that the best man responds to the toast to the bridesmaids and I am happy to be asked to do so. Like everything else about this wedding they were perfection itself."

If you or your future spouse is of Irish descent, or you enjoy some of the traditions of the culture, there are a number of ways to incorporate Irish practices into your wedding ceremony and reception. These elements of the wedding will help to make the occasion especially sentimental for you and your family.

1. Wedding Colors

   • According to Irish superstition, Irish brides did not wear green on their wedding day, since this color would attract the fairies, who would bring mischief to the bride. Instead, it is proper etiquette for a bride to wear blue items, since this color is a symbol of purity. It is also appropriate for a couple to include the colors of their Irish family crest in the wedding decorations.

   Porcelain Horseshoe

   • It is tradition for Irish brides to carry a horseshoe made of porcelain down the aisle with her, as a symbol of good luck. Some brides also choose to give the horseshoe to the flower girl to bring down the aisle. After the ceremony, proper etiquette suggests that the bride hang her horseshoe on her front door, so that her good luck will continue.

   Wedding Reception

   • Traditional Irish etiquette suggests that an Irish wedding reception take place in the barn of the bride's parents, according to WeddingChannel.com. However, more modern weddings may be held at the home of the bride's mother and father, with plenty of food and drinks for all the guests. The parents of the bride ensure that the food never runs out, and that all guests thoroughly enjoy themselves.

   Wedding Food

   • It is appropriate to serve traditional Irish fare at the wedding reception, which includes Irish soda bread, salmon and colcannon, which is a mix of potatoes and cabbage. An authentic Irish wedding cake is three layers and includes almond-flavored icing on each layer. According to authentic Irish wedding etiquette, the top layer of the cake is not eaten at the wedding--it is preserved for when the couple christen their first child.

   Wedding Toasts

   • At an Irish wedding reception, the toasts are a time for all guests to wish the bride and groom well, and for important people in the couple's life to say a few words. The father of the bride speaks first and expresses his sadness to have his daughter leave him, as well as his pride and happiness for her marriage. The groom speaks afterward on behalf of himself and the bride, and thanks everyone for their attendance. He may also present both his mother and mother-in-law with flowers or a small gift for their assistance in putting the ceremony and reception together.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Irish wedding, Irish wedding etiquette, wedding etiquette, authentic Irish, authentic Irish wedding, ceremony reception