Steeped in tradition, the Celtic wedding is based on life, family and eternal love.

Incorporate one or all of these Celtic traditions into your Irish wedding.

A Toast
Instead of the traditional toast, have a member of your wedding party finish off the toast with "Slainte" (pronounced SLAWN-cha), Irish for "to your health"!

Traditional Irish Blessing
May Joy and Peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door
And Happiness be with you now
And bless you evermore.

May your troubles be less,
And your blessings be more
And nothing but happiness come through your door.

Celtic Wedding Vow, by Morgan Llywelyn
"You cannon possess me for I belong to myself
But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give
You cannon command me, for I am a free person
But I shall serve you in those ways you require
and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand

"I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night
and the eyes into which I smile in the morning
I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup
I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care
I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine
I shall not slander you, nor you me
I shall honor you above all others, and when we quarrel we shall do so in private and
tell no strangers our grievances

"This is my wedding vow to you.
This is the marriage of equals."

Unity Candle Vow
If you are using a unity candle, this 'Irish Vow of Unity', from the Irish Wedding Book is a perfect compliment to the ceremony.

"We swear by peace and love to stand,
Heart to heart and hand to hand.
Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now,
Confirming this our Sacred Vow."