| Giving Irish wedding gifts, as with so many wedding | | | | family to bring them good fortune and joy. |
| customs in Ireland, is steeped in magical folklore and | | | | A modern interpretation of this custom is for the |
| old-fashioned Irish superstition. | | | | Bride and Groom to exchange coins. They say if the |
| Deciding what gift to give your friends on their big | | | | coins touch each other during the exchange, the |
| day will be easier once you learn about a few of | | | | Bride and Groom will be blessed with many children. |
| Ireland's traditional wedding gifts and what they | | | | The Lucky Horseshoe |
| signify. | | | | The horseshoe has always been associated with |
| The Bell | | | | good luck in Irish folklore. Brides traditionally carry a |
| Whether the bell be made of pewter, brass, | | | | horseshoe with them on their wedding day for good |
| porcelain, or crystal, it will ward off the evil spirits | | | | luck. |
| that may be lurking to trip up the newlyweds. | | | | After they set up their home together, the |
| Also known as a "make-up bell" or "wedding bell", it | | | | horseshoe is hung over their front door to continue |
| helps the Bride and Groom stay ever-mindful of their | | | | to ward off evil and despair. Just remember, if you |
| wedding vows and the love they shared on their | | | | give the couple a horseshoe, give it to them with the |
| wedding day. So whenever they are upset with each | | | | "U" facing up - this way it stops the luck from |
| other one of them can ring the bell instead of walking | | | | draining out! |
| away. | | | | Other good luck charms that make great Irish |
| The Magic Hanky | | | | wedding gifts include: |
| There is a wonderful Irish wedding custom for the | | | | - Salt and Pepper Shakers So their home will never |
| bride to carry a "magic" hanky on her wedding day. | | | | be without food. |
| After the nuptials, she keeps it in a special place | | | | - Wine Glasses So they will always have plenty to |
| saves it for her firstborn's christening, to dry her | | | | drink. |
| baby's face. A variation of this Irish wedding tradition | | | | - Candlestick Holders So their home will always have |
| is for the hanky to be converted into a christening | | | | light. |
| bonnet, then converted back into a hanky for that | | | | Giving gifts is an important part of the culture of |
| child's wedding day. | | | | hospitality in Ireland. So if you have been invited to |
| The Wedding Coin | | | | an Irish wedding, it's important to choose your |
| Another old Irish wedding tradition is for the Groom | | | | wedding gifts wisely. Hopefully some of these |
| to give his Bride a coin after they exchange rings, as | | | | traditional Irish wedding gifts have given you some |
| a symbol of prosperity. This custom originated back | | | | ideas. |
| when the Groom would pay money to the Bride's | | | | |