Did you know that Irish weddings have something in common with African weddings?
It’s true.

Just like an African bride, an Irish bride will braid her hair on her wedding day for good luck.
It’s an ancient Irish tradition, a female symbol of personal power and good luck.
Of course the Irish also think it’s good luck to be married on St. Patrick’s Day.
In fact, it’s supposed to be the luckiest anniversary day in Irish tradition.
However, it’s considered bad luck to get married on a Saturday.

In ancient times, Irish couples would eat three mouthfuls of salt and oatmeal as a way of warding off evil spirits.

By the way, if you’re getting married in Ireland, don’t forget to duck.
You see, the Irish don’t just throw rice at the bride and groom sometimes they throw larger objects such as pots and pans.

The traditional Irish wedding ring is called a Claddagh ring.
It’s a heart held by two hands that is topped with a crown.
The hands signify faith, crown stands for honor, and the heart, of course, stands for love.

If you’re a traditional Irish bride, then you might get married in a bridal gown of blue, rather than white.
In ancient Irish culture blue symbolized purity.
It was only after the year 1499 that wedding dresses became white, a color that symbolized virginity.
Despite the Irish hatred for all things English, English lavender, an age-old symbol of love, loyalty, honor and devotion, is often included in the bride’s wedding bouquet to ensure a happy and long-lasting marriage.

The traditional Irish wedding cake is not a white, multi-tiered cake, as you see at American weddings.
No, the Irish favor a rich fruitcake that is generally laced with brandy or bourbon.

Usually, the bride and groom are given a horseshoe to hang in their home for good luck; sometimes Irish couples use a porcelain horseshoe since it won’t rust, and Irish brides even carry horseshoes made from fabric.
And if you want to have a lucky Irish wedding then don’t get married in May, Instead, you should marry in April.
There’s an old Irish rhyme that promotes this custom.

Also, right after the marriage, a man should be the one who wishes joy to the bride, not a woman.
If you hear a cuckoo on the day of your marriage, that’s a sign of good luck.
It’s also lucky to hear three magpies singing.