Programs for Your Wedding Ceremony

One of the most important pieces of wedding day stationery is your ceremony program. Weddings are becoming elaborate, diverse, and unconventional, making programs extra handy for guests who don’t know what’s going on.

Even if you are having a traditional wedding ceremony in your perspective house of worship, your friends and coworkers may not know about the ceremony customs and traditions.

Providing a program for your ceremony guests will ensure they do not feel lost or out of place. There are multiple ways to create a wedding program, and we’re not going to deny that some are more fun than others!

A fan, as opposed to a flat card, will give guests something to hold onto and cool themselves off with on a hot day. A booklet with a custom crossword puzzle in the back will keep children busy while the “I dos” are being said.

What you put in your wedding program is entirely up to you. Include your love or proposal story, the lyrics to the song you dance to for the first time as a married couple, or simply state ceremony parts along with your wedding party.

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What’s going into your wedding program?

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Written by Katie

Congratulations on your engagement, and let’s begin to plan the most incredible Celtic wedding that anyone has ever seen! 

Show Me the Money

It would be a good idea to explain the importance of the Irish Wedding Coin. For those who are not familiar with this important Celtic custom, the groom presents his bride with his family’s heirloom coin. The words “I give you this as a token of all that I possess” are spoken by the groom as he hands it to his bride. Those who are just starting this as a tradition needn’t worry. They can use a brand new coin bearing the year of their marriage and start their own tradition with the Irish Wedding Coin.

Show Me the Bling

No wedding ceremony is complete without an exchange of rings. A Celtic wedding simply wouldn’t be traditional without Celtic wedding bands. There are a wide variety of styles to choose from which hold true to Celtic jewelry styling. Be sure that you and your betrothed know your proper ring sizes so that you won’t be disappointed or embarrassed at the altar.

Honor the Hand-fasting Tradition

The hand-fasting ceremony was originally something like a trial marriage which ended one day after the one year anniversary. Although we no longer have trial runs for tying the knot, this is how it started in the Celtic culture. You can still employ the hand-fasting into your wedding ceremony. Simply purchase some thick ribbon that coordinates with the color scheme of your bridal party. The priest or other celebrant will wrap the ribbon around both of your hands after the exchanging of the rings. It is a beautiful way to incorporate your Celtic culture into your big day.

The Two Shall Become One

Many religions and cultures use the Unity Candle in their wedding ceremonies. The truth is that this was originally a Celtic tradition that was adopted by many other cultures. This symbolizes the new union between husband and wife as well as between the two clans. You will need to purchase a large pillar candle and two smaller taper candles. The tapers will be joined to light the larger candle. Nearly any venue will allow this practice.

Pennies from Heaven

Once the happy couple has been pronounced husband and wife, it is a Celtic tradition for the groom to throw coins to the guests. Today’s society will not allow that to happen inside of a church. In present day, this tradition takes place outside of the church. The coins have been swapped out for chocolates wrapped like coins. It is a much tastier and safer thing to throw for your guests.

Let Them Eat Cake

Finally, we get to the traditional Celtic wedding cake. Most cakes are made of fruit and frosted with fluffy, white icing. It is customary for a brother of the groom to hold the cake over the bride’s head as she sits in a chair. One of the bridesmaids, more often than not the maid of honor then cuts the first slice of the cake. Many brides don’t want to take the chance of something bad happening so most forego this Celtic tradition.

This guest post was written for Invitations by Ajalon by Sine Treanor and Steven Forsyth of www.celtic-weddingrings.com.

Planning the Most Incredible Celtic Wedding

Congratulations on your engagement, and let’s begin to plan the most incredible Celtic wedding that anyone has ever seen! 

A Simple Stitch

Let’s face it; most brides either purchase readymade gowns or hire someone to make it for them. Few have the time or know how to sew their own wedding ensembles. A very important Celtic tradition is for the bride to make the very last stitch on her gown on her actual wedding day. This is supposed to bring the couple good luck in their new life together.

Heavy on the Horseshoe

The Irish Horseshoe is a very old Celtic tradition. Many moons ago, the bride would carry a horseshoe on her walk down the aisle. This had to be a little unsightly as well as uncomfortable. The tradition has changed a bit over the years. Now, the bride usually has a horseshoe inconspicuously embroidered somewhere on her gown or on the tulle of her bouquet.

Beautify Your Bouquet

Flowers are a very important part of any wedding. This is also true when someone is planning a Celtic wedding. A wee bit of shamrock in the bouquet is said to bring the couple luck and some lavender will help to ensure a happy and long life together. Of course, these can be hidden inside of the other flowers should you so choose.

Let the Music Move You

Many Celtic weddings aren’t complete without bagpipes. One of the traditions that your guests will not forget is the sound of bagpipes leading the bride down the aisle. It is also acceptable for the piper to stand beside the groom and play. Either way, this is a Celtic tradition that people will remember for years to come.

Barefoot Is Beautiful

A really cool Celtic tradition is that the bride and groom be barefoot during the ceremony. Although it isn’t followed much anymore, this tradition celebrates Mother Earth and the natural world. You should check with your venue to see if being barefoot would be allowed as many places will deem it to be against the rules of the Department of Health.

Let the Circle Encompass You

The drawing of the circle is a very old Celtic wedding tradition. Once the bride reaches her groom, a circle is drawn around them to symbolize the union that they are entering into that day. Nowadays, couples will have to improvise and use a circle of rose petals or a long strand of ivy unless they are having their ceremony outdoors.

Stay tuned for part 3!

This guest post was written for Invitations by Ajalon by Sine Treanor and Steven Forsyth of www.celtic-weddingrings.com.

Planning the Most Incredible Celtic Wedding

There is no better feeling in the world than when your one true love proposes to you and gives you a beautiful Celtic Engagement Ring or Celtic Wedding Ring. Perhaps the feeling of actually getting married is better, but since you are still in the planning stages, you’ll have to decide later. So Congratulations and let’s begin to plan the most incredible Celtic wedding that anyone has ever seen.

Setting the Date

The first thing that you will need to do is decide on a date for the wedding. It’s really best to sit down with both sets of parents as well as your betrothed for this important decision. You should try to avoid major holidays for the big day as many people will have other obligations and be unable to attend your nuptials. Ultimately, the happy couple will have the final say but take the time to listen to the opinions of your parents and future in-laws. You will be glad that you did.

The Guest List

It is really important that you have a fairly accurate idea of how many people will be invited to witness your ceremony and celebrate the day with you. This will help you decide on the right venues. A small and intimate church that seats one hundred people would not be suitable for the couple inviting two hundred and fifty guests. Knowing the number of guests will help you with all of the planning stages for your Celtic wedding.

Finding the Right Location

As soon as you have your date selected, you will need to decide on the venue for the nuptials. Some churches require you to book your wedding two years in advance. Naturally, most happy couples opt to have their wedding at their family church while others opt for a more natural setting such as a park or even the backyard of their family homes. There is no right or wrong place to have a Celtic wedding ceremony.

Once you know where you’ll be having the ceremony, you will need to find a reception hall for the celebration. Most people reserve their reception hall well in advance so this should be done as soon as possible after booking your ceremonial site. Visit several locations and take pictures as well as bring home the information about the venue. This will help you to compare prices, amenities and styles of each and finally decide on the best one.

Obtaining Someone to Officiate

Those who are having their wedding ceremony inside of a church will more than likely have one of their parish priests officiate but not all priests understand the ways of Celtic tradition. Other couples might seek out the services of someone who is schooled in Celtic ways. You can always speak to the priest, other clergy or person who will lead the service about the traditions that are important to you.

Stay tuned for Part 2!

This guest post was written for Invitations by Ajalon by Sine Treanor and Steven Forsyth of www.celtic-weddingrings.com.

Did you get your royal fax?

Apparently Queen Elizabeth sent out Prince William and Kate Middleton’s save the dates…via fax!

Let’s just admit right now that we’re all dying to know what the royal couples’ invitation will look like (please don’t be a fax!). I am wondering if they will opt for a modern design with lots of color and detail, or follow in Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s footsteps with a traditional, royal invitation.

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

What would you rather see? Something traditional or something different? Here are a few invitations I think would be great for the royal wedding:

Send Me My Free Samples of Cathryn

Send Me My Free Samples of Vintage Lace

Send Me My Free Samples of Classic Monogram

Let’s hope they choose letterpress! ; )

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Written by Katie

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Check out our special on letterpress invitations and save!

Making Magic Under the Bridge

We love our selection of bride-designed letterpress wedding invitations, but the bride’s big day is the most exciting part of all.

After creating the perfect letterpress wedding invitation, Zena and Ronald said their vows beneath the Brooklyn Bridge and danced the night away at their reception. Programs, menus, table numbers and place cards all carried Zena’s motif throughout the event.

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See more photographs from Zena and Ronald’s beautiful wedding at photographer Courtney Davidson’s blog. Congratulations Zena And Ronald!

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Written by Katie

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Check out our special on letterpress invitations and save!!!!

Combine Formal and Fun With This Classic Design

Invitations by Ajalon introduces our elegant Black Tie letterpress wedding invitation design! This is a classic wedding invitation card design, which is equally impressive printed in standard black or with colors that match your wedding ceremony.

Send Me My Free Samples of Black Tie

Your customized monogram is one of the best things about this design, and can be carried through into other invitation items. Coordinating RSVP and other information cards are available to complete this luxurious invitation set.

Send Me My Free Samples of Black Tie

Black Tie is the perfect letterpress wedding invitation card design for formal, yet fun affairs. Keep this exceptional design in mind when searching for the perfect letterpress wedding invitation.

Send Me My Free Samples of Black Tie

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Written by Katie

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Check out our special on letterpress invitations and save!!!

Tips on Planning a Traditional Irish Wedding Ceremony (continued)

The Irish people have incorporated certain rituals into their wedding ceremonies throughout history – some traditions date back centuries. Today, couples who long for a lovely Irish wedding can pick and choose from these romantic and whimsical elements. Then, they can add in fun touches of modern style to create the perfect atmosphere. Just as home décor benefits from a mixture of antiques and modern furniture and accessories, a wedding can be more beautiful when old and new are joined together…

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Vows

The Irish reverence for language has created some incredible proverbs, poems, and verses – all of these can be used as wedding vows. Add a few lines of beautiful, traditional Irish prose to your wedding ceremony – a lovely example of a touching and traditional Irish proverb is:

Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead.
Walk beside me and just be my friend.

This is just one example of the way Irish verse celebrates togetherness, equality and commitment. If you already have more conventional vows you wish to say, consider saving these pretty Irish words for reception toasts, or adding them to wedding invitations.

Some popular and amazingly talented modern Irish poets and authors can also provide you with lovely quotes and snippets of verse. Oscar Wilde is urbane, witty, and always funny – W.B. Yeats is more grave and sincere, and his poetry resonates with classic Irish themes, such as the celebration of nature, romance, and spirituality.

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Guests will love the unique feeling and spirit of your wedding. A traditional Irish ceremony does not have to be a medieval wedding (although these can be fun indeed!) –  it can simply offer subtle and unmistakable facets of Irish culture, history, and spirituality. Ideally, your reception should also offer the same vibe – keeping the theme throughout your wedding celebration will make the whole effect more powerful…

Now that we’ve examined wedding outfits, flowers, and vows, here are some other fun ideas for your wedding:

Lucky Horseshoe For The Bride

In Ireland, horses were a source of status – owning a lot of them indicated wealth and prosperity. For hundreds of years, Irish brides-to-be have tucked horseshoes into their gowns (some tie it into their bouquets) for good luck. You can find feminine, scaled-down versions of the Irish horseshoe to carry on your wedding day – you can keep it in your jewelry box or hope chest after the wedding.

Wedding Hankie

If you dream of caring for a baby someday, this Irish wedding tradition will appeal to you. Tucking an Irish hankie into your gown is believed to enhance fertility and bring good luck to the new couple. Once your first child is born, you are supposed to turn this simple handkerchief into a little bonnet for the newborn.

This post was supplied exclusively for Letterpress Wedding Invitation Blog, by the online jewelry store: Irish Celtic Jewels, who specialize in Irish wedding bands and other Celtic jewelry.

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Planning your own traditional Irish wedding ceremony? Keep Leigh’s wonderful tips and ideas in mind during your own wedding planning process!

Written by Katie

Invitations by Ajalon
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Tips on Planning a Traditional Irish Wedding Ceremony

A wedding should be filled with romance – it should also celebrate the heritage of the bride and groom. If you or your intended share Irish ancestry, you may want to explore the idea of combining modern wedding trends with a little touch of Emerald Isle tradition…

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An eclectic, exciting wedding will thrill guests and inspire a lifetime of happy memories. The trick to creating a wedding that is individual and memorable is seeking out a theme and playing with elements related to vows, formalwear, and flowers…

Plan Your Wedding Outfits –
At every ceremony, the way the bride looks as she walks down the aisle is often a high point. If you’re interested in little Irish touches to your bridal outfit, consider a veil of gorgeous, genuine Irish lace, a bouquet of wild roses (thread in a few Shamrocks for a true Irish effect), and Celtic engagement rings and wedding bands (you can find a matching wedding band for the groom).

The best Irish bridal jewelry designs use ancient symbols, such as Trinity Knots (symbols of the Holy Trinity) or Claddagh symbols. Claddagh Rings are really a great way to add Irish authenticity to your ceremony – in Ireland, couples often choose these rings instead of plain wedding bands. Today, brides enjoy choosing a Claddagh ring with heart-shaped diamond centers. These offer all the beauty of a solitaire, while also featuring the crowned-heart-and-hands motif of the Claddagh…this motif represents love and loyalty.

For the groom-to-be, a touch of Ireland can also perk up his wedding outfit. An emerald green tie could add color to a dark suit or tux. Avoid a kilt for the groom if you are of Irish ancestry and want an authentic look – although Irish tartans are sold in Celtic shops, historically, kilts were not a popular wardrobe choice for Irishmen – they are most often connected with Scotland.  Your groom’s boutonnière flower can also be of Irish origin.

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In the next of this two-part post, we’ll discuss vows and other charming touches you can bring to a traditional Irish wedding ceremony.

This post was supplied exclusively for Letterpress Wedding Invitation Blog, by the online jewelry store: Irish Celtic Jewels, who specialize in Irish wedding bands and other Celtic jewelry.

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

Multiple Ceremonies, One Marriage

Michael Bublé recently announced to the Today show that he and fiancé Luisana Lopilato plan to tie the knot on March 31 and April 6, 2011!

Photo Courtesy of Peace FM Online

Bublé also announced the location of the wedding: Argentina and Vancouver, Canada. It’s not rare to see couples plan two separate ceremonies within one wedding celebration, and letterpress printers hear the cries for help when designing the perfect invitation.  Information for both ceremonies can be included on one card, or you can send separate invites out for each event.

Send Me My Free Samples of Allison

I am wondering how Michael Bublé and Luisana Lopilato will plan their invitation design to include two ceremony locations. Will they opt for the luxury of letterpress?

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Written by Katie

Go to the Invitation Gallery

Check out our special on letterpress invitations and save!!