Not all weddings are Christian, Catholic or Jewish. There are many other religions out there and even more cultures that can influence the practice of a wedding ceremony. We are very thrilled about the subject of this article because we know that many modern couples are interested in foreign and ancient wedding rites and customs. We love the large spectrum of symbols carried by a Celtic ceremony. We have to admit that this culture features some of the most beautiful, romantic and diversified wedding significations. Nothing is ordinary or pure chance in a Celtic wedding. Even the smallest gesture carries a special meaning that the couple must be aware of.

Celtic ceremonies incorporate many rites and wedding practices that are used nowadays. But the most beautiful ones are those based on their ancient folklore. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an Irish, Scottish or Chinese couple. The Celtic culture is very unique and worth studied by any couple who wants a foreign traditional wedding. Celtic couples usually follow the rules of their church and state when getting married. But if you want your ceremony to be more authentic, you can follow the customs once used in the past. Those who are not very informed on this subject or haven’t got the chance to read anything about Celts would surely like to know a few fun facts.

Celtic Wedding Ceremonies (Source: intimateweddings.com)

For instance, Celtic couples celebrate a wedding for several days in a row. Their parties are very festive and elaborated and also extremely meaningful. These people are known for their love to celebrate and enjoy a lot of time together. They usually gather in large groups and celebrate around dancing, eating and drinking. Celtic couples always manage to entertain their wedding guests and provide them with an unforgettable party. The Celtic wedding ceremony is divided in nine parts. Not all ceremonies include all these parts, so you can only choose your favorite ones. The first part is the presentation of the couple. The second one is the statement of the Bard concerning marriage. Then it follows the declarations of the newlyweds, the exchange of the rings and the binding of hands.

Celtic Wedding Ceremonies (Source: weddingbandsus.com)

The sixth part of the ceremony is passing of light, followed by the thanksgiving and the blessing and opening of the circle. Many rites come from pagans, like the fasting of hands ritual. Nowadays, couples’ hands are wrapped with a cloth, forming a circle of never-ending love. Among the special things used in a Celtic ceremony we mention the music. They use bagpipe instruments to play different types of festive melodies that accompany the recessional. Brides wear colored dresses, while men wear kilts. Both of them are barefoot. The Claddagh or knot wedding rings are also highly symbolic.

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Written by Postolache Ana-Maria, date May 03, 2012 in wedding ceremony ideas | no comments

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