Getting married in October, need tips on Irish and German Wedding traditions?!?!?

I have done research on this as well, and I plan on doing an Irish toast, the whole 3day German wedding thing, but I need some more tips, suggestions, advice, etc......We've decided to go w/ this, cuz like I said we're getting married for free, but I've found out that the Justice whose performing the ceremony is actually from Germany and has all german native flowers in his garden where the ceremony will take place (depending on weather). Money is still an issue, unfortunately can't afford an Asian themed ceremony,


but since I'm Irish, and he's (groom) German, our family is helping out a ton in the ceremony, reception and honeymoon (which will be in Germany where we will celebrate Oktoberfest.





Any tips will be appreciated, thank you all so much!!!!

Getting married in October, need tips on Irish and German Wedding traditions?!?!?
I have organized, or at least helped w/ many Irish, and German weddings, but none incorporated together yet, I like that, original. Here are some tips for both traditions that you might be able to use. Good luck and Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





IRISH-


Bunratty Meade,


Lucky horseshoe. Irish brides used to carry a real horseshoe for good luck. (Turned up so the luck won't run out).


Irish Dancers. Consider hiring a group of Irish dancers to hand out your programs before the ceremony. Dressed in their full regalia, it would add a wonderful touch of pageantry and color. They could also dance at the reception later.


Music. There's so much wonderful Irish music available, you'll have no problems in finding appropriate selections for both the ceremony and the reception.


The Irish Wedding Song.


Flowers. In the old days, many Irish brides wore a wreath of wildflowers in their hair; they also carried them in bouquets.


Portents and omens:


A bride who can sing well is expected to sing at the wedding.


A fine day meant good luck, especially if the sun shone on the bride. If you're a Roman Catholic, one way to make certain that it won't rain is to put a statue of the Infant of Prague outside the church before your ceremony. But if you were/are protestant, it is good luck if it rains on your wedding day, even if it's pouring, just for a moment or just a drizzle.


It was unlucky to marry on a Saturday.


Those who married in harvest would spend all their lives gathering


A man should always be the first to wish joy to the bride, never a woman


It was lucky to hear a cuckoo on the wedding morning, or to see three magpies


To meet a funeral on the road meant bad luck and if there was a funeral procession planned for that day, the wedding party always took a different road


The wedding party should always take the longest road home from the church


It was bad luck if a glass or cup were broken on the wedding day


A bride and groom should never wash their hands in the same sink at the same time—it's courting disaster if they do


It was said to be lucky if you married during a 'growing moon and a flowing tide'


When leaving the church, someone must throw an old shoe over the bride's head so she will have good luck (not so popular, but very traditional)


If the bride's mother-in-law breaks a piece of wedding cake on the bride's head as she enters the house after the ceremony, they will be friends for life. (Rarely used, not too suggested, lol


but again very traditional)





GERMAN-


Veils are usually fingertip length, and very seldom worn over the face when a bride walks down the aisle. Some brides (especially Catholic) wear veils that are the same length as their gowns. Some brides take their veils off during the reception, but NEVER before the first dance with their husband and their father. A veil is not a must. Some brides wear only a flowery headband with ribbons hanging down the sides or the back of their head, some prefer both the headband and the veil. Tiara's, little crowns and hats are also a often seen addition. Most brides carry a little draw string purse down the aisle, and also wear gloves. A bride stays in her wedding dress all day, not only a few hours as they do in America. Most receptions last until the early morning hours, and most brides will not change into a different outfit, but wear their gown the whole time. It is also customary for the bride to get dressed at home (most choose their parents home), and then drive to church already dressed in their gown. Most have a beautician come to the house to fix their hair, veil and make up as well. The groom and Groomsmen usually wear a black suit.


bridesmaids, groomsmen or flower girls etc. are seldom to be seen at a German wedding. It is not customary. Also, usually the bride and groom enter the church together and walk down the aisle together. The reason for this is that in Germany it is not legal to marry "only" in a church ceremony. The couple has to be married by the justice of peace, or as in Germany called "Standesbeamte" first. This usually takes place a few days before the actual church ceremony. So when they marry in church they are actually already married by law. For this ceremony the couple, the closest family members and friends get together in the court house, and then the couple will be married by the "Standesbeamte." Usually afterwards is a dinner. For this type of wedding brides mostly either wear a 2-piece outfit (skirt and jacket) or an informal dress. Some choose white, especially if they don't have a church wedding to follow. Courthouse Weddings last about 30 minutes, church Ceremonies can last up to 1 1/2 hours and more. There is a lot of singing, praying, and a sermon as well.








the first dance is danced by the bride and the groom, it is traditionally a waltz. The next dance is only for bride with her father and groom with mother, while bride's mother dances with groom's father.


Junggesellenabschied - a few days before the wedding the groom and his male friends go to a pub or sometimes other places to drink and have fun.


Polterabend - this is an informal (informal dress and food) party at the evening before the wedding where plates and dishes are smashed (the broken pieces are thought to bring good luck to the bride). The bride and groom have to clean up everything.


Flowers - besides the flowers for the bride and in church, the hood of the wedding car is decorated with lots of flowers.


Veil Dance - this is a popular game for a wedding evening. Every woman or man who wants to dance with the groom or bride, has to pay for it.(this is extrememly popular)


White Ribbon - the bride carries lengths of white ribbon with her bouquet, and after the church ceremony is over and the guests are leaving the church, she hands each driver a ribbon that they tie to the radio antenna.


Wedding Evening - at the wedding evening a lot of games are played, speeches are held (the first normally from the father of the bride), sometimes a wedding newspaper is handed out. Songs are sung, and so on.
Reply:Irish and German? I reccomend getting lots and lots of beer.
Reply:have you decided on rings yet? ApplesofGold jewelry has fantastic Celtic/Irish wedding rings, and then there's the German Posie Rings, too.


I don't know if the Hand-Binding is Irish or Scottish, it may just be Celtic--but it would be a neat gesture!!