Real Wedding Kate and Dusty in Auburn, MA Celtic

Congratulations Kate and Dusy!

Kate and Dusty Brussard tied the knot at Chucks Steak House in Auburn on July 25th. It was quite a celebration with elements from Hawaii and Ireland!  Guests were greeted with live Lei's to adorn their tropical attire.  The bride and her family had spent some time living in Hawaii, so it was a nice touch to add to the festivities. 

The bride and groom had three canvas pieces in the color of the Irish flag, which guests signed. After completion of the signatures, the pieces fit together to create the irish flag for their home.  Guests also receive a green coozie with the Claddagh on it. The Claddagh symbolizes love, loyalty and friendship, which certainly are what makes for a great marriage.

Dusty and Kate placed their hands on an oathing stone as they cast their vows in stone. A magnificent time was had by all.  Slante  to my friends and many wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity.  

Such a wonderful celebration and I was  honored to officiate their wedding.  The venue and staff of Chucks Steak House did a fabulous job

Ethnic Wedding Traditions - Celtic Weddings

Celtic/Irish Wedding Rituals

 I would like to share with you some of the ethnic weddings that I have had the honor of officiating with Loving Unity. Since it is March, and St. Patrick's Day is coming closer, it seems fitting that I should start with this tradition.  Exploring customs can be an exciting and educational journey for both the couple and me.  Couples share their customs with one another and their guests which lead to an extraordinary and memorable wedding! 

This is one of my favorites!!  Generally speaking Irish Weddings take place over a period of days, full of fun and festivities!!  They have a reputation of having a great time, centered around eating, music, dancing and drinking!

Music plays a large role in Celtic Weddings.  One of the most popular types of music is a Bagpiper.  He or she usually leads the wedding processional and escorts the couple out after the end of the ceremony.  Celtic weddings have several interesting elements.  Usually the bride is escorted in and presented, and the guests form a circle around the area.  A bride usually is carrying a horseshoe for good luck.  It can be incorporated into her bridal bouquet.  It could also be used attached to the hand fasting ribbons or to the inside of the bridal gown. The couple will share their vows with one another.  One of my favorite elements used at this time is the “oathing stone”. In ancient times, the kings and high political figures would place their hand on a stone as they said their oath.  In the wedding ritual, couples place their hands or one of their feet on a stone, which can be designed as a stepping stone they can keep forever.  As they share their vows together, they place their foot or hand on the stone, thus, casting their vows in stone.   Several couples have made some unique and beautiful oathing stones. 

 

Another ritual is a hand fasting ceremony.  Hands can be gently tied together with ribbon, a vine, rope, or a piece of material that matches the wedding colors.  The couple’s hands are bound together at the wrist to demonstrate that they are now bound together for life forming a circle of infinity and love. 

A blessing cup or unity cup is used for the couples to drink from.  Each takes a sip from the same cup, indicating that whatever may come forth in their marriage, they are willing to accept the bitter and the sweet, together in life.

At the reception, coins are to be tossed to the guests for good luck, or the couple could place candy coins at each place as a favor.

Depending on the location, couples may choose to wear sandals or be barefoot to be close to the earth.  The burning of peat in a small fireplace will also enhance the atmosphere to create a true feeling of a Celtic wedding. 

. The Claddagh is the traditional Irish wedding ring, but many couples choose to have a band with a Celtic knot displayed.

Handfasting, Creative Wedding Rituals

I love rituals. Handfasting has long been a Celtic Ritual. Did you ever wonder where the term "Tie the Knot" comes from? It was derived from the ancient celtic ritual in which the couple's wrists were loosely tied together during their wedding ceremony to symbolize their commitment to each other.

Whether you are Irish or not, handfasting is a beautiful ritual, and you may want to include it as part of your ceremony as a very meaningful ritual. Handfasting Ribbons are used, and their are many colors of ribbons that represent different facets of our lives and relationships. I usually ask couples to stand side by side and hold hands and the ribbons are placed around the hands and wrists of the couple.

I usually say "these are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you throughout the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, and giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Many times, ribbons of colors are used. In the traditional Celtic handfasting, the ribbons that bind the couple's wrists are made up of thirteen different colors, each with special meaning. Here is a list of each color and their own special meaning.

• Red - passion, strength, lust, fertility


• Orange - encouragement, attraction, kindness, purity


• Yellow - charm, confidence, joy, balance


• Green - finance, fertility, charity, prosperity, health


• Blue - Tranquility, patience, devotion, sincerity


• Purple - power, piety, sanctity, sentimentality


• Black - strength, wisdom, vision, success


• White - purity, concentration, meditation, peace


• Gray - neutrality, canceling,balance,


• Pink - unity, honor, truth, romance, happiness


• Brown - earth, grounding, talent, telepathy, home


• Silver - treasure, values, creativity, inspiration


• Gold energy, wealth, intelligence, longevity

There are also Christian ceremonies that use three strands of rope, the couple weaves together three strands of rope, and then tie the strands together into several knots. The three pieces of rope represent the joining of their lives together, with the third piece standing for Christ's presence in their marriage. According to the words of Ecclesiastes 4:12 which reads " A threefold cord is not quickly broken".

Ever wonder where the term "tieing the knot" really came from??? It derives from a time when couples needed a new bed. Before mattresses and box springs, beds were made from wooden frames with ropes strung across the frames, upon which were placed straw mattresses. Newlywed couples thus had to "tie the knot" of their marriage bed.

In a Christian wedding, we can think of tying the knot as it is God who binds together the bride and groom, making the two into one. It is the binding together of the perfect knot that will keep them together as they face difficult challenges of marriage.