Celtic Themed Wedding: A Wedding you will Never Forget
A wedding is one of the most touching events that you will ever attend in your lifetime. Not only does it mark the beginning of a new chapter in a couple’s life, it also signifies the union of two people and their testament of undying love for each other. It is no wonder that weddings always bring tears to people’s eyes.
When it is your turn to get married, of course you would want it to be special and memorable. From planning and preparation to the actual event itself, you would want everything to be perfect. You organize the whole event up to the last detail and you even hire wedding planner or enlist the help of your closest friends to ensure that the event goes smoothly.
Choosing a Celtic theme for your wedding is one of the sure ways to make this event the most unforgettable one in your life because Celtic imagery is beautiful, symbolic, and meaningful. Incorporating Celtic elements in your wedding can make this the wedding of your dreams.
Cultural themed weddings are a popular choice for couples and Celtic weddings top this list. Both traditional and modern couples love this kind of wedding because for one, it upholds cultural traditions, at the same time the beauty of Celtic imagery is timeless and suitable even for the modern times of today.
Just like with any wedding plans, preparing for a Celtic themed wedding requires extensive effort. It is important to know that planning this kind of wedding goes beyond exchange of stunning Celtic wedding rings. To help you plan for your Celtic wedding, here are the top things to keep in mind.
Select the Date and Venue
Irish people consider the last day of the old year lucky for weddings. Old superstition says that May is an unlucky month although many couples do not avoid getting married at this time. It is lucky to get married during a sunny day, Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
As for the venue, Celtic weddings are ideally held in old churches, castles, or old stone buildings. If you cannot find this kind of venue, the next best thing to do is to dress up the place with greenery (an Irish symbolism of fertility) and thick cream church candles to give off an Irish atmosphere. These guidelines on venue and date give the wedding the right Celtic touch.
Design the Invitation
Once you have decided on the venue and date of the event, you can prepare the invitations that you will send out to announce the wedding to your family, friends, and guests. It is a good idea to print invitations on thick cream handmade paper. To give it a beautiful Celtic look, print the edges with a Celtic knot design. Choose a formal or old script font for the invitation information. Do not forget to indicate in the invitation that the wedding will be held with a Celtic theme.
Plan the Wedding Dress
Another focal point in the wedding is the bride’s wedding gown. A Celtic wedding dress is characterized by wide sleeves, wide hemline, tied belt and soft flowing fabrics such as lace, velvet or silk. It can be a Glasgow Celtic, gothic or medieval dress with corset and authentic Celtic embroidery.
Make sure that you choose a cream-colored wedding gown and not white. Have a headdress consisting of wild flowers twisted with twigs. Carry a small bunch of wildflowers or a single lily instead of a big bulky bouquet.
Aside from the wedding dress, you also need to consider the outfits to be worn by your entourage. The men, for instance, can opt to wear kilts or any other related attire. Bridesmaids and flower girls can have the same but simpler version of the headdress you are wearing.
Choose the Menu
Roast meats and barbecues with rich sauces are the popular dishes among Celts. Do not forget to serve the dishes on big silver or gold platters and drinks in large goblets or gold-rimmed glasses to give the food feast a Celtic flair. If you are going to have a buffet table, decorate it with wild flowers, marzipan follies and a black candelabra as the centerpiece.
Pick your Cake
Simple cakes like plain round or square embellished with greenery are ideal cakes for a Celtic themed wedding. You can also go for the traditional Irish wedding cake, which is a fruitcake that is filled with raisins, almonds, cherries, and spice.
Play Irish music
Since music is one of the important aspects of a wedding that can set the atmosphere, be sure to play Irish music or hire a minstrel band or a piper to play popular songs such as "Oh Danny Boy," "The Irish Wedding Song," or "An Old Irish Blessing."
Wear Celtic jewelry
Another significant highlight in any Celtic wedding is the Celtic jewelry, most especially the Celtic wedding rings and Irish engagement rings. Prior to the wedding event, the couple should be able to choose a pair of bands with a knot design that will symbolize the kind of love that they have for each other. For instance, couples who want to emphasize on the permanence of their love for each other can opt for circular knots while couples who value friendship and loyalty may choose to wear Claddagh wedding rings.
Practice Irish Customs
The foremost custom in a Celtic wedding is handfasting, a ceremony in which the bride and groom join their right and left hands to form an eight with their arms. This practice symbolizes the couple’s strong commitment to each other.
Another popular custom is the breaking of the cake above the head of the bride, primarily by the mother-in-law. Superstitions state that this event results in good relationship between the wife and the mother-in-law. The couple should also eat three handfuls of salt and oatmeal to protect their marriage against evil.
Having a Celtic themed wedding is surely one of the best ways to ensure that your wedding will be a memorable one.
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