OK, I've never posted to one of these before, but I need some help! Both our families are Irish and I would really like to bring in some Irish or Celtic themes and traditions into the wedding. I'm not talking about corny things like shamrocks and leprechauns, either. I have an Irish band playing for the reception...but that's as far as I've gotten! HELP!

Invitations by Dawn

This site offers celtic themed invitations and accessories as well.

How about incorporating the symbols of the claddagh ring or different celtic knots. They would be subtle, but certainly representations of your Irish heritage. You could pick an Irish Proverb/Blessing such as "May the road rise to meet you..." You could tie in the different themes and symbols from the proverb/blessing into your wedding: programs, invitations, favors, table numbers, placecards, etc.
I hope this helps!

there is a pretty celtic ring that the ring bearer carries at invitations by dawn.
It has a nice celtic pattern on it and you tie your rings on it with a nice little ribbon.

My soon to be is irish too. My moms friend just sent me this web site. Lots of great Irish stuff for weddings and bridesmaids and grooms mens gifts....shopirish.com I might be getting my girls the totes with the poems on them. I hope this helps you out a little...good luck.

Hi Amy,
I'm going to have a Celtic Wedding also and like you, I want it to be traditional, not what Americans think of when they think Irish. ie: leprechans and green beer.
My colors are white and pale green like Belleek China.
We're going to incorporate several old customs like throwing coins at the guests in order to bring good luck to the couple.....however, we're going to put the coins into a little purse and pass them out as the DJ explains about the custom.
We're going to have an Irish piper and the local dance studio has a group of step dancers we're going to have perform. For favors, I'm making my own "seed packages" with our names and the date on the front and inside I'm putting in a tiny plastic bag full of shamrock seeds.
I got several CD's of Irish music like "celtic woman", Enya and Daniel O'donnell etc. for the DJ to play in amongst the 50's and 60's music we like.
After the ceremony, my new husband will be giving me an Irish Coin which symbolized him giving me his worldly treasure. After that we will do the changing of my tartan. He will be wearing a tie of his family name tartan and I will be wearing my family name tartan at my shoulder held with my family crest pin. Before we leave to go back down the isle, I will remove my tartan and exchange it for the swatch of his family tartan held by his family crest pin.
I am hand painting watercolored roses on the front of my invitations using our colors of white and light green and a bit of light pink and light green shamrocks and roses.
I hope these ideas will be helpful to you with planning your Celtic Wedding.
Congratulations!

A-wedding Day has an article on the subject. Also, complete collection of wedding accessories embellished with silver sterling Celtic Love knot.
the article
Celtic wedding and love symbols customs and traditions for a wedding day, personalized wedding gifts, bridal accessories, wedding planning resources.

Hi flowerbug,
I read your post on hand painted invitations. I think that's a cute idea. Do you do it yourself, or does someone sell this custom service? You say your new husband like you trade them like cars...LOL. Are you an old hand at weddings? You have lots of ideas. I guess you are married by now. What would you do different?

Thanks and good luck,

Sue