Some wedding days are all about traditions, and we have our own wedding customs in Ireland that have fallen to the wayside for some modern nuptials. Here's a list of some of the classic wedding customs or traditions you might consider making part of your big day.
No contact before the day
Despite the fact you two have been living in sin for years before the ring came into the equation, most couples will decide to spend the night before their wedding apart. It's common for the bride to return to her parent's house, while the groom either goes back to his parent's place, or he and his family shack up in a hotel if they've travelled for the ceremony. Spending some time apart, and with no communication whatsoever, will make the first glance at the ceremony even more special. And if you manage to have no communication until the day but can't wait any longer, you can always have a private 'First Look' just before the ceremony for a modern twist on this tradition.
Dad not seeing the dress until the day
In many cases, the bride's father helps his little girl pick the most important dress she'll wear, but some women choose to keep their father away from that aspect of the planning. The moment Dad sees his daughter fully ready to go for her wedding day is a heartwarming and unforgettable moment for the whole family, and makes for a perfect photo opportunity.
Father/daughter dance
Contrary to what Frenchie from Grease said, you've just made it official that you're spending the rest of your life with a man other than your Dad. It's a bittersweet day for him as you stop being his little girl, so why not show him how much you appreciate everything he's done for you by joining him on the dancefloor for the Father-Daughter dance tradition?
Something old, something new traditions
The old rhyme has been around for centuries, but some brides can ignore these traditions and concentrate instead upon ticking off the other boxes on their wedding checklist. Little do you know, your dress qualifies as something new, the garter you had your eye on has a blue trim, and your grandmother's brooch pinned to your waist is both something old and borrowed. It's much easier than expected to stick to this time old custom. Besides all that, you can find one of these cute pins to encompass every bit of the tradition.
Having the honeymoon close to the wedding
While for some professions it might not be feasible to have your honeymoon so soon after your wedding day, it's a good idea to try and set the two events as close to each other as possible. Not only will the two of you still be on a buzz from the wedded bliss you've just experienced, it will give you a chance to finally relax after the exhausting wedding planning over the last months.
Image credits: First look: Abby Jiu via Style Me Pretty | Dress: Anchor & Veil Photography | Father of the bride: Brumley & Wells | Something blue: Mabelicious Bridal | Honeymoon: Rhianne Jones
- Aoife Bennett