AN IRISH WEDDING PROVERB

Don’t walk in front of me, for I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, for I may not lead. Walk beside me and always be my friend.

A FEW IRISH WEDDING TRADITIONS

A fine day means good luck, especially if the sun shines on the bride.

Those who marry during harvest will spend all their lives gathering.

A man should always be the first to wish joy to the bride, never a woman.

Salt and pepper shakers are a lucky wedding gift.

No one in the wedding party should wear green, the color of envy.

The newlyweds should always take the longest road home from the church.

It is bad luck if a glass or cup is broken on the wedding day.

The bride shouldn’t put on her own veil; a happily married woman should do the honors.

It’s lucky to marry during a ‘growing moon and a flowing tide.’

When leaving the church, someone must throw an old shoe over the bride’s head so she will have good luck.

If the bride’s mother-in-law breaks a piece of wedding cake on the bride’s head, they will be friends for life.

A horseshoe nailed over the newlyweds’ door (pointing up like the letter ‘U’) will ensure the couple’s life together will be lucky.

A bride and groom should never wash their hands in the same sink at the same time – it’s courting disaster if they do.

AN IRISH WEDDING TOAST

May you both live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.