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Happy Late St. Patricks Day to everyone! My family definitely celebrates St. Paddy’s Day full force. We are Irish but ALSO, my oldest daughter is an Irish Dancer! This past weekend she was supposed be dancing in the Philadelphia Irish Parade, but due to what is going on in the world right now, it was cancelled, much like other events and gatherings. So, to back it up a few days, and continue the Paddy’s Day celebration (even though we ARE a few days late…) let’s check out this weeks Top 10 Tuesday!! Whether you are getting married here in the United States or in Ireland (God willing), there are a few Irish Wedding Traditions that you may want to follow. Take a look at my top 10 favorite wedding traditions from Ireland below!
- Shrove Tuesday – Irish weddings were commonly held on a weekday, during “Shrovetide”, or the days preceding Lent. No weddings are allowed during the 40 days of lent! The most popular day is the day before Ash Wednesday, called “Shrove Tuesday”.
Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, And Saturday no luck at all.
- Claddagh Rings – These rings feature two hands clasping a crowned heart. They symbolizes love and loyalty and are worn as engagement rings and wedding bands. Take a look at this gorgeous white gold engagement ring here that features a diamond. You can learn all about these rings here: Claddagh Meanings. You can wear the Claddagh many different ways to convey your relationship status.
- Wearing a Blue Dress – Would you wear a blue wedding dress? Blue dresses are stunning! The color blue was once seen as the symbol in virginity, even though white is seen as the color for purity; Irish brides were often seen wearing blue dresses. Photographing a blue dress on wedding day, would be absolutely beautiful.
Who will be wearing a blue gown in 2020?
- Proposing on Leap Year – According to legend, a young woman was upset that the men she liked were too shy to ask for her hand in marriage. Because of this, St. Patrick gave her his blessing so that women could propose on ONLY the leap day of the leap year.
So, we just had a leap year, did anyone propose to a man?
I’d love to shoot your wedding! Let’s chat!
- Wildflowers In Braided Hair – Keeping with tradition, you will often find Irish brides wearing wildflowers woven through their long braided wedding day hair. Not only does it look darling, but it also stands for as a symbol of feminine power! Additionally, bridesmaids or flower girls could wear flower crowns, but the bride herself cannot wear a flower crown because it would be considered very bad luck!
I couldn’t love this anymore!
- To Tie the Knot – This saying actually has a Celtic origin, during ancient Irish wedding ceremonies where both the bride and the groom’s hands are bound together with a ribbon. This is called a ‘handfasting’ ritual, signifying their union and strength of their love. This is a tradition that I love to photograph. It slows things down a bit, as a result we can really enjoy the couples bond.
- Sixpence in the Shoe – The sixpence was meant to act as a good luck charm and a way to ward off evil spirits. I have definitely seen brides do this, and it’s a very lovely detail to photograph.
I hope I see more traditions like this come back!
- Ringing the Wedding Bells – Like the sixpence in the shoe, the ringing of the wedding bells was seen as a way to get rid of evil spirits on the wedding day.
They’re also very beautiful to listen to and photograph rather nicely. They’re also a very sweet favor for your guests.
- Irish Lace – In Ireland, dresses look like dresses everywhere else in the world. However, one distinctly Irish touch is Irish lace. Very often it is used on the dress itself, or as a handkerchief or in the veil.
I have seen this given to the bride as a gift by her parents, or to the parents from the bride.
- Irish Dancing – What’s a wedding without some Irish Dance! I know when my daughter grows up, she will be dancing at her wedding, and you better believe she will need some custom bridal ghillies!
Do you have a favorite Irish Tradition? I’d love to hear about it!
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Top Ten Tuesday – ‘Irish Wedding Traditions’. Subscribe to our mailing list and be sure to come back every Tuesday for more amazing Top Ten’s!
*Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
March 17, 2020
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I met Gyllian and Francesco at Renault Winery for their photography consultation and fell in love with them instantly! They are such an amazing couple and they definitely know what they wanted for their special day, A Fall Wedding at Renault Winery! Although the weather wasn’t very “fall” (a scorching 95 degrees!) she was absolutely stunning in her custom wedding gown and their matching Christian Louboutin shoes.
The beginning of the day was calm and collected, but once Gyllian popped her confetti champagne bottle, everyone was ready to party! This was the day they had been waiting for, and although Gyllian was nervous, after their first look Francesco reassured her that she was absolutely stunning! (And she really, really was!)
Gyllian and Francesco, thank you so much for trusting me to capture your memories! I had an amazing time at your wedding and can’t WAIT for you to see your beautiful images! You two are the best!
If you are planning your wedding, you should absolutely consider a fall wedding at Renault Winery. Between the vineyards, the fountains, the gorgeous landscaping you are sure to have an amazing collection of portraits for your wedding album and to display proudly in your home!
Contact me directly to book your wedding: lauren@bokehlovephotography.net
October 3, 2017
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A few weeks ago, I photographed Nicole and Nick’s intimate wedding in Malaga NJ. Their wedding was informal, but beautiful done. They had fresh flowers lining the walkway up to their front porch. They exchanged vows in front of their cabin and someone near and dear to their heart preformed the ceremony. They were surrounded by the people who love them, and drove off into the sunset on a motor cycle. How much more romantic can it get? When I met Nicole, I was so happy she asked me to capture these memories for her. Photography can be that one thing that you never think of until the moment has passed, and you always wish you had a photo of that one time… Not in this case. Nicole and Nick have beautiful images to remember the day they said, I DO!
Nicole and Nick, thank you for trusting me with your memories. I wish you nothing but love and sucess in your marriage together!
If you are having an Intimate wedding in Malaga NJ, email me today! I’d love to chat with you! lauren@bokehlovephotography.net
September 18, 2017
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Loran and Joe looked stunning in white and pink for their Johnsons Locust Hall Farm Engagement Session!
The sun was shining, the birds were out, and Johnsons Locust Hall Farm was in full bloom with sunflowers and peach trees! It was such a beautiful day and I could not be happier with the images! Loran and Joe are so in love, and you can tell just by the way they look at each other. I wish them nothing but love and success in both life and love! Loran and Joe, thank you for trusting me to capture your memories! Having a Johnsons Locust Hall Farm Engagement Session was SUCH a fantastic idea! I love this location!
If you are in South Jersey and are looking for a photographer for your engagement session, reach out to me today! Lauren@bokehlovephotography.net
I highly recommend having a Johnsons Locust Hall Farm Engagement Session! (Don’t forget to buy some apple crumb pie! It’s delicious!)
August 4, 2017
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David contacted me earlier in the week to chat about documenting his Congress Hall Marriage Proposal to his girlfriend, Amy. (Spoiler alert, she’s a fiance now!) David had a few really amazing ideas on how he would propose. At first it was going to be on the beach by the lighthouse, but the wind was a bit much. He decided to propose on the lawn at their hotel, Congress Hall. Which by the way, is one of the most amazing Hotel’s in Cape May! (Good choice, David!) He planned out their entire proposal, down to the champagne, ice bucket and flutes (even the chairs that faced the beach for a gorgeous sunset!) I heard it was a very nice bottle of champagne, but you should know that David is one of the world’s leading wine writers and just recently wrote a book titled, “But First, Champagne: A Modern Guide to the World’s Favorite Wine”. (Seriously, what a lucky lady to have a fiance that knows all about champagne and wine!)
As I waited for them to arrive, getting text updates from David, I did my best to hide in the bushes by the parking lot. Hotel guests were staring at me, as I am sure I looked… well… pretty shady standing in a parking lot, hiding behind bushes with a hoodie up and holding a giant piece of black metal (yep, it’s my “stalker lens” as I like to call it. Perfect for documenting proposals from far away and not being noticed!) (Although Amy told me later on, that she saw someone in the bushes with a camera… I think she knew all along this would be the day for a marriage proposal!)
Congress Hall was phenomenal, I met with Casika who unfortunately couldn’t wait to watch the proposal, but she was so excited that this was happening at their hotel! If you are even THINKING about it, stop thinking and do it, have a Congress Hall Marriage Proposal! They were so fantastic and helpful! Ask for Casika!
So, When it came time to pop the question, it was magical. David and Amy hugged and kissed, and all the love was there! I was secretly crying in the bushes because well, who wouldn’t!? When I told the hotel guests, I wasn’t some crazy person, I was documenting a proposal that would go down at approximately 6pm… of course they stayed to watch! Everyone loves a happy ending! After that, we went down to the beach to take some beautiful portraits to capture their happiness! It could not have been a better evening for a Congress Hall Marriage Proposal!
David and Amy, Congratulations on your engagement! I wish you both nothing but success in love and your future together! Thank you SO much for trusting me to capture such an intimate moment between the two of you!
October 21, 2016