Weddings are often full of ceremony and tradition, and Irish weddings are no different. This rich culture is filled with wise and fun saying, poems, and the like. With a healthy dose of Celtic sayings, you also get Irish wedding blessing for the toast to the couple and well wishes from their loved ones.
Whether you’re Irish and wish to stick with tradition, or you’re not but enjoy Irish sayings, here is a trove of old Irish wedding blessings for you to enjoy.
What is the traditional Irish wedding blessing?
While there are lots of traditional Irish wedding blessings, one of the most recognized is, “May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.”
Who recites the Irish wedding blessing?
The Irish wedding blessing is normally given by a loved one to the couple. This could be a parent, close friend or other family member.
When to say Irish wedding blessing during ceremony?
Wedding blessings can be given at the wedding ceremony during readings, or at the wedding reception during toasts, or both.
Irish Wedding Blessing Definition
The Irish wedding blessing might be full of wise or funny words but it will always has one main characteristic, to wish good health, good luck and joy to the happy couple. The words may vary, depending on the Irish region or Celtic origin of the saying, but the sentiments are usually the same. These incredibly meaningful poems and quotes are a great way to show your love to a couple whether they are Irish or not. Some popular wishes are:
May love fill your heart and overflow into every corner of your life.
May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside your fire, laughter to brighten your days and those that you love near you.
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Traditional Verses
Traditional Irish wedding blessings can be read as wedding toasts, or to the couple during the wedding ceremony. Some of these sayings can also count as religious blessings for couples who are also religious. Either way, they are always beautiful and sentimental. One such wedding blessing reads:
May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
rich in blessings,
slow to make enemies and quick to make friends.
Apart from your love, the wordings of Irish wedding blessings always wish you luck in abundance as well, which a brand-new couple is sure to need on the journey ahead.
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Non-Religious Blessings and Poems
A great feature about Irish wedding blessings is that there is one for every type of wedding. If your couple are not religious and would prefer to read, non-religious wedding blessing there are quite a lot that would fit that bill. One example being:
May the blessing of light be on you. Light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you and warm your heart till it glows like a great peat fire.
May your home be filled with laughter. May your pockets be filled with gold
And may you have all the happiness, Your Irish heart can hold.
May your blessings outnumber, The Shamrocks that grow
And may trouble avoid you, Wherever you may go.
May luck be a friend to you, And be with ye in all your days,
And may trouble be to you, A stranger, now and always.
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Short Versions
Sometimes wedding blessing and such poems are not just great for toasts and readings, they can also be used on wedding greeting cards or thank you notes. For this you would need short Irish wedding blessing, and luckily, we have a few.
May you have love that never ends, lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do, and may God send many blessings to you.
May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings, right beside your door.
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Longer Versions
When you’re giving readings at weddings, longer versions of Irish wedding blessings might be more appropriate. So here is a sample of a genuine Irish wedding blessing long version.
May the meaning of this hour be fulfilled through the days and years to come.
May the love of this here couple, their unity of spirit,
grow deeper and stronger in the uncertainties and changes of life they will share.
Loving each other, may they love all persons.
Trusting each other, may they learn to trust life.
May their love reach out to the love of all, that their lives may bless all whose lives they touch.
May they find comfort together in shared hours of shadow, as well as in the bright sunshine of joy.
May they be to each other both strong and gentle.
May all who follow their lives with interest and affection have cause to rejoice not alone in their happiness, but in their brave and generous living which makes life beautiful and significant.
Funny Quotes & Toasts for Weddings
Wedding toasts are the perfect time for quirky readings and funny quotes, and the Irish are known for having some of the best. Below is a funny Irish wedding blessing for the lucky couple.
May the lilt of Irish laughter lighten every load, may the mist of Irish magic shorten every road,
may you taste the sweetest pleasures that fortune ere bestowed and may all your friends remember all the favors you are owed.
Weddings would be incomplete without fun toasts, quotes and readings. The Irish have some of the most sentimental, heartwarming and quirky quotes that can be used to express your love to a couple, and wish them luck and joy on their journey. Whether you are Irish or not, you can sure benefit from their wise sayings to give great wedding readings or toasts at weddings.
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