The bell has been used since at least medieval times in marking the joining of couples in holy matrimony. They were believed to dispelling negative influences within a space. The sound a bell makes can cut across the flow of energy in a space and create a harmonizing effect.
The Celtic wedding tradition of throwing rice on the newlyweds is extremely old and predates Christianity. The Celts were not only warriors, but also agriculturalists. Celts were farming various forms of wheat, barleycorn, and even oats, rye and millet which seem to have been introduced during the Iron Age. All of these may have been used as blessing foods for such ceremonial uses.
These days, contemporary Celts, neo-pagans and others interested in alternative marriage ceremonies have adopted the tradition of handfasting, which involves binding the hands of the couple with ribbon or cord in a public to symbolize marriage vows.
The Caim is a prayer done in a sacred circle at the altar, made with the intention of protecting the bride and groom at the time of marriage. Caims have a specific rhyme and meter that tends to act almost mystically, focusing one’s intent, making sacred space that much more sacred.
The ritual itself is very simple. Yet it’s significance and meaning run very deep. After the priest marries the couple, the bride and groom jump over a broom. It would be more accurate to say “jumping the besom,” the besom being a type of broom that is made with twigs tied together against a strong pole.
Whether the location is in a church or some more natural setting, nothing strikes the right note in a Celtic wedding like having a piper pipe before the bride as she walks to the place where she will be wed. The tradition dates back hundreds of year. Clan chiefs used to and some still do have their own designated pipers to lead them in official functions.
In this old tradition, which originally seems to have its influences from both Romanization and possibly Brehon Law, the Groom presents his wife with a solid silver or gold coin as a token of their coming together. The gift is to show his willingness to provide for her, protect her and care for her.
The pebble toss is one of the wedding traditions that remain in Celtic weddings, yet the origin and deeper meaning behind this action is not well known. In this wedding tradition, well wishes, prayers and happy hopes for the couple are placed into a stone. In some cases, this is done by having certain intentions while holding a small stone.
One of the origins of the wedding vow in Celtic tradition is the oathing the stone. This ancient ceremony is rooted deeply in the Celtic tribal traditions. To understand why it was so important, you have to know a little bit about the Celtic world view.
On the day of the wedding, it is not uncommon among Celtic brides to sow a horseshoe into the hem of a dress. Grandmother did it, and so did her mother. It is said that this act brings good luck. Horseshoes have always been associated with good luck, right? However, the real reason for this custom goes far beyond luck.
The Grushie is a type of giveaway. At the end of the ceremony as the bride and groom are to step into the carriage, the bride will throw her bouquet to see who may indeed be the next lucky bride. For the men at the wedding, the Grushie traditionally was a handful of coins tossed alongside the bouquet. The person who tossed it was generally related to the groom, his father, elder brother, sometimes the Best Man and even upon occasion the groom himself.
Wedding Rings date back to the time of the Egyptians, perhaps even further back. Originally, they were made of woven plant fiber such as papyrus or certain grasses. These were later replaced by sturdier materials, leather, bone, and eventually iron by the time of the Romans.
The tradition of wedding cakes began not with the Celts, but with their foes, the Romans. Back then, the groom took a loaf of bread and cracked it over the bride’s head. The symbolism in this lovely gesture was to show she was owned.
Tattoos are a tradition among tribes of indigenous people all over the world. They are particularly popular among Celtic people, especially the younger people today. Not only can a wedding tattoo can help to remind you of your own roots, it is also appropriate because the knot work can represent a place of no beginning and no end—like love and the journey of your soul.
The true Celtic wedding customs and traditions come from clear springs, the reverence of water sweet and straight from the rock and soil. Customs were inspired by the fragile beauty forest flowers, the moon light and the constant turn of seasons over the years.
While some couples find their greatest support following traditional marriage ceremonies, an increasing number of couples are designing unique and personally meaningful weddings that reflect a more innovative spirit. Sometimes these thoughtfully designed ceremonies simply alter certain aspects of more traditional weddings while others break the mold entirely.
