The Traditional Irish Wedding

Today, more than ever before, engaged couples are eager for ways to make their weddings more unique, distinctive, and therefore memorable in the eyes of their guests. Each week, my mailbox is filled with letters from brides who are seeking suggestions on how to do this. One of the first pieces of advice I offer is to consider having a 'theme' wedding - a very in vogue idea at the present time. A well chosen theme will not only make your wedding day more memorable, it can make it more meaningful as well. This is especially true when the theme is built around the ethnic background of either the bride, groom, or the couple as a whole. Traditional Irish weddings, in particular, became especially popular as a wedding theme a few years back and continue to capture the imagination with their charm. The interest in this style of wedding has grown so strong, in fact, that author Bridget Haggerty has filled an entire book with information on ways to incorporate Irish customs, traditions, and flourishes into the wedding festivities. I had the pleasure to getting to know Bridget Haggerty when she was a member of a discussion group I ran at my SuperWeddings site back in 2000, and it was then that I first reviewed her book. I can personally attest that her knowledge of her subject matter is extensive, and I was impressed by the very genuine level of interest she clearly has in helping her readers plan weddings which truly are extra special - a sentiment I completely share. In The Traditional Irish Wedding, Haggerty presents an inspiring array of creative ideas for planning a wedding with an enchanting Irish flair which will undoubtedly stand out in the memories of all who attend. If it's an *authentic* Irish wedding you crave, this is the book for you. The author leaves no stone unturned as she guides you through the selection of wedding apparel; invitations; vows, blessings, prayers and readings; music selections for absolutely all phases of the wedding; the selection of accessories and decorations; food; favors; toasts; and the list goes on - ALL in keeping with the Irish theme. Also included are Irish touches for pre-wedding and post-wedding gatherings and parties, including showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, the rehearsal dinner, and more. She even goes so far as to offer menu suggestions for the reception and other wedding-related celebrations, complete with a wonderful collection of suitable Irish recipes. No book about planning Irish weddings would be complete without a thorough discussion of planning an Irish honeymoon, and once agan, this author does not disappoint. She covers the different types of Irish honeymoon possibilities, places to stay, sights to see, tours, tips from travel specialists, resources and services to use during planning, and even includes a suggested itinerary as well as some Irish honeymoon recollections of a former bride and groom. Her attention to detail is certain to make planning the perfect Irish honeymoon

Whether you have Irish heritage, just want an Irish wedding or are getting married in Ireland, this book is the essential guide to putting together all the bits and pieces of a Traditional Irish wedding.As an expert in coordinating weddings in Ireland, I can assure you that the information and suggestions provided in this book are priceless when planning an Irish wedding and I advise all my clients to read it. This is your best bet for accurate and authentic advice.Good luck with your planning!Specializing in coordinating picture perfect weddings in Ireland, Anne Lanier is the founder of Anne Lanier Weddings.

This book is great for anyone who is interested in Irish Culture, not just those who are planning a wedding. They say you can tell the most about a culture from the way they celebrate, and the extensive research Ms Haggerty has done has given us a great view of the Irish. Having lived there for several years I recognized quite a few of the wonderful sayings and traditions, but they're sadly falling out of use now in modern Ireland. I would think this book would be just as useful to Irish brides who want to recapture their heritage. And if you ever get a chance to go to an Irish wedding, don't miss it- but get plenty of rest beforehand!

all because of this wonderful book. This was my one and only wedding "bible" - my copy is so tattered, dog-eared and full of notes that it is barely readable anymore. But it inspired and helped me to design the wedding I've always wanted. One and all, our guests told us we had the most unique and wonderful wedding they'd ever attended. (Several people told me they thought our wedding was more fun than their own!)If you want to pay tribute to your Irish heritage at your wedding, definitely get this book. Not only is it helpful in and of itself, but it also has a great index of mail-order companies and web sites to help further your research. My only hope is that the book will be regularly updated to incorporate the growing body of online ethnic wedding resources.

I am having an irish wedding and needed some help with ideas. This book did it all from the planning to the reception (it even gave me some great ideas for my vows!) I had done months and months of searching for information and always came up with the same old stuff. When I got this in the mail, it changed my wedding planning from nightmarish to easy and a lot of fun. Besides all of the great ideas and recipes (yum :) it has many sayings, superstitions, blessings, and fun facts that add some charm to the whole aspect of holding an Irish wedding. My fiance even got hyped about helping with the coordination of the event, inspired by the ideas this book had offered. A MUST buy.