Irish Weddings

Ireland is a
magnificent,
multi-faceted
gem, blessed
with an abundance
of details and
differences.
Majestic mountains
sweep down to the sea.
Miles of stone walls
line fields filled with
black-faced sheep.
Tall, flowering hedges
shade narrow, winding roads.
Ancient castles and mystical
abbeys dominate pastoral vistas.
And, pastel-hued cottages dot
river valleys strewn with wild
flowers.

What a magical place to begin a romance
or married life together!

The Irish custom of the Groom presenting
his Bride with a coin is said to date back
to the time when the Groom paid luck money
to the family of the Bride, in order to bring
happiness and blessings upon them. After the
exchange of wedding rings, the coin would be
presented to the Bride as a symbol of worldly
goods. There is a contemporary custom where
the Bride and Groom exchange coins, and it is
said that, if the coins clink as they are
exchanged, the couple will be blessed with
children.
After the wedding, the gift is often preserved
as a family heirloom, and is passed from mother
to eldest son on his wedding day.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!