When to Marry
Carrying a Horseshoe
Matchmaking
Wedding Dresses & Fashion
The Tradition of the "Grushie"
There is plenty of conflicting information with respect to the best time of year for marriages. Up until fairly recently, marriages were unheard of during Lent, the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.
According to the old Celtic calendar, which corresponds with the natural cycle of the year, marriages were ill advised during the "dark half" of the year. The dark half commenced on November 1 and continued until Beltaine or May Day (May 1). While much of the literature tends to see the feast of Beltaine as an auspicious time for a wedding, conflicting sources claim that even though May Day and Beltaine are wonderful times for finding a mate or "courting," the earth was often considered to be to "in flux" to bolster such a strong commitment of vows. Lughnasadh, another very important day on the old calendar and falling on August 1st, was considered by many to be the most auspicious day of the year for weddings. However, any time during the "light" half of the year (May 1 to October 31) was considered an acceptable time to marry.
Today, people marry all year round. However, if youÕre looking for "powerful" days on the Celtic calendar, here is a listing of the four fire festivals and the equinoxes and solstices. You can check the Farmer's Almanac for specific times.
Samhain (Halloween) October 31
Imbolc (St. Bridgit's Day) February 1
Beltaine (May Day) May 1
Lughnasadh August 1
Summer Solstice - June 21
Winter Solstice - December 21
Spring Equinox - March 21
Autumnal Equinox - September 21
Many Irish brides also carry a horseshoe for luck. Originally, this would have been made by a blacksmith. Today, it is more like to be sewn into the dress or added to the top of the cake Ð mostly plastic - not metal these days!
The tradition of Matchmaking was common in Ireland up into the 20th century and many localities had their own matchmaker. Very little was left to chance and few couples enjoyed a match based solely on love. Marriages between the landless and well-to-do were very uncommon. Families held tightly to their land and social status and tended to move within their respective economic circles.
As well as lining up potential mates for men and women, the matchmaker assisted in negotiating a "dowry," between the groom and bride's father. A girl brought her dowry with her into the marriage.
Lisdoonvarna in County Clare still hosts a week-long matchmaking festival. Check out Christy Moore's wonderful song entitled "Lisdoonvarna."
Colors
Many oriental cultures have a fondness for red on their wedding days believing it to bring good luck; the old Celtic cultures often favored blue and other bright colors for the same reason. Green was often avoided since it was considered to entice the fairies, who loved to possess beautiful things including brides!
The introduction of white as a favored color did not occur until the Victorian Era and became a tradition which spread from Victorian England around the world. Previously, yellow and other pastel shades were favored in England.
Irish Linen or Lace
The "white gown" fashion was often accentuated with Irish lace, a form of crochet lace that was regarded as a couture profession at the turn of the 20th Century. However, the Irish were producing lace as far back as the 16th Century, often in convent communities where they tried to emulate the styles of crochet lace on the continent.
Crochet Centers were set up all over Ireland by the Ursuline Sisters in order to provide employment during the famine. The first center started in 1845 in Blackrock, County Cork.
Soon, the couture lines of London, New York and Vienna sought out "Irish Lace," for the fashions of the day. Irish Lace was used to make dresses and to decorate blouse bodices and cuffs, trimmings and ruffles. Even men wore lace on their evening shirts.
Irish lace waned in popularity as a result of changes in fashion, however, the coutour lines of the world came calling again in the 1940s when lace came back into fashion.
Today, many brides like to add Irish lace to their wedding gowns. Many carry an Irish lace hanky or use small lace place mats at the center of the reception tables.
An old custom found in many of the Celtic countries. The groom tosses a handful of coins into the crowd after the ceremony. It is believed to bring good luck to the newly married couple. |
