Whether you have Irish heritage or not, adding Irish blessings to your wedding day will certainly spread the Gaelic magic. Irish blessings are ancient, and have been used for centuries to celebrate and bring good luck to the happy couple.
These blessings are short but sweet, and often very poetic. The original Irish Wedding Prayers were written in the Irish Gaelic language, the language of Ireland. Since then, they have been translated to English, and nowadays this is normally how they are performed.
They consist of beautiful, meaningful sayings that can be presented by any member of the wedding party. Irish Wedding Blessings offer a great opportunity to get everyone together to toast the married couple and share a communal blessing.
We’re sharing some of the most uplifting, beautiful and classic Irish Wedding Blessings to consider for your big day.
What is the traditional Irish wedding blessing?
There isn’t just one traditional Irish Wedding Blessing that is included as part of Irish wedding traditions and customs. Over the years, there have been plenty of Irish sayings that have made it into wedding speeches and toasts, and it is really the gesture and the thought that counts. Whatever traditional blessing resonates with you is the one to go with.
As the Irish Wedding tradition of blessings and prayers have been passed down through generations, many of the oldest ones are very simple and use phrases that are memorable. Possibly one of the most classic and memorable Irish Wedding Blessings is:
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow
“May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow
May the soft winds freshen your spirit
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.”
Irish wedding blessing toasts that wow
Wedding toasts are always emotional, and adding an Irish Wedding Blessing will guarantee sure there won’t be a single dry eye in the house. Wedding blessings hold a lot of meaning, with families often using the same one in wedding toasts.
Some of the best Irish Wedding Blessings for toasts are ones in which the party can be involved. For example in the “With the first light of sun” blessing, everyone can raise their voice and perhaps their glass on the “bless you” lines.
With the first light of sun
”With the first light of sun-
Bless you.
When the long day is done-
Bless you.
In your smiles and your tears-
Bless you.
Through each day of your years-
Bless you.”
Irish wedding blessing: non-religious options
For those who aren’t religious, sometimes wedding blessings that don’t refer to God can be more appealing. Many of the older and more traditional wedding blessings will refer to God, as this was always the essence of marriage.
However, these days it is fully acceptable to choose a more poetic wedding blessing that’s not religious. Some of the most popular ones are:
Irish wedding vow wishing warmth
“May the embers from the open hearth warm your hands,
May the sun’s rays from the Irish sky warm your face,
May the children’s bright smiles warm your heart,
May the everlasting love I give you warm your soul.”
Irish wedding blessing for light
“May the blessings of light be upon you,
Light without and light within.
And in all your comings and goings,
May you ever have a kindly greeting
From them you meet along the road.”
A wedding blessing for good luck
"May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
Quick to make friends,
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing but
Happiness from this day forward."
Irish wedding poems blessings
The Irish are known for their poetic flair, and there is nothing more romantic than poetry on your wedding day. If you want to opt for a more poetic wedding blessing, some of the most popular ones are:
Irish wedding poem for love and laughter
“May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!”
Irish wedding blessing for happiness
“May your troubles be less,
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness,
Come through your door.”
Irish wedding blessing for a happy home
“Bless you and yours,
As well as the cottage you live in.
May the roof overhead be well thatched
And those inside be well matched.”
Irish wedding prayers of the faithful
For those who are strong believers in Christ (which many people in Ireland are), prayers are the appropriate wedding blessing.
St Patrick’s Prayer
St Patrick's Prayer is perhaps the most traditional religious wedding prayer. However it is a really long piece of writing, so often people will choose to take a section or verse.
“I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation”.
God’s Blessing
"May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!
May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness.
From this day forward.
By the power that Christ brought from heaven, mayst thou love me.
As the sun follows its course, mayst thou follow me.
As light to the eye,
as bread to the hungry,
as joy to the heart,
may thy presence be with me,
oh one that I love,
’til death comes to part us asunder.”
There’s an Irish wedding blessing for everyone
When looking for an Irish Wedding Blessing you’ll be spoilt for choice. Along with beautiful traditions like Irish Wedding Handfasting and Irish music, food and drinks, adding an Irish Wedding Toast can be a nice nod to your heritage.
If you’re still looking for the perfect ring to make your day special, take a look at our wedding ring buying guide.
Whether you have Irish heritage or not, adding Irish blessings to your wedding day will certainly spread the Gaelic magic. Irish blessings are ancient, and have been used for centuries to celebrate and bring good luck to the happy couple.
These blessings are short but sweet, and often very poetic. The original Irish Wedding Prayers were written in the Irish Gaelic language, the language of Ireland. Since then, they have been translated to English, and nowadays this is normally how they are performed.
They consist of beautiful, meaningful sayings that can be presented by any member of the wedding party. Irish Wedding Blessings offer a great opportunity to get everyone together to toast the married couple and share a communal blessing.
We’re sharing some of the most uplifting, beautiful and classic Irish Wedding Blessings to consider for your big day.
What is the traditional Irish wedding blessing?
There isn’t just one traditional Irish Wedding Blessing that is included as part of Irish wedding traditions and customs. Over the years, there have been plenty of Irish sayings that have made it into wedding speeches and toasts, and it is really the gesture and the thought that counts. Whatever traditional blessing resonates with you is the one to go with.
As the Irish Wedding tradition of blessings and prayers have been passed down through generations, many of the oldest ones are very simple and use phrases that are memorable. Possibly one of the most classic and memorable Irish Wedding Blessings is:
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow
“May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow
May the soft winds freshen your spirit
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.”
Irish wedding blessing toasts that wow
Wedding toasts are always emotional, and adding an Irish Wedding Blessing will guarantee sure there won’t be a single dry eye in the house. Wedding blessings hold a lot of meaning, with families often using the same one in wedding toasts.
Some of the best Irish Wedding Blessings for toasts are ones in which the party can be involved. For example in the “With the first light of sun” blessing, everyone can raise their voice and perhaps their glass on the “bless you” lines.
With the first light of sun
”With the first light of sun-
Bless you.
When the long day is done-
Bless you.
In your smiles and your tears-
Bless you.
Through each day of your years-
Bless you.”
Irish wedding blessing: non-religious options
For those who aren’t religious, sometimes wedding blessings that don’t refer to God can be more appealing. Many of the older and more traditional wedding blessings will refer to God, as this was always the essence of marriage.
However, these days it is fully acceptable to choose a more poetic wedding blessing that’s not religious. Some of the most popular ones are:
Irish wedding vow wishing warmth
“May the embers from the open hearth warm your hands,
May the sun’s rays from the Irish sky warm your face,
May the children’s bright smiles warm your heart,
May the everlasting love I give you warm your soul.”
Irish wedding blessing for light
“May the blessings of light be upon you,
Light without and light within.
And in all your comings and goings,
May you ever have a kindly greeting
From them you meet along the road.”
A wedding blessing for good luck
"May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
Quick to make friends,
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing but
Happiness from this day forward."
Irish wedding poems blessings
The Irish are known for their poetic flair, and there is nothing more romantic than poetry on your wedding day. If you want to opt for a more poetic wedding blessing, some of the most popular ones are:
Irish wedding poem for love and laughter
“May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!”
Irish wedding blessing for happiness
“May your troubles be less,
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness,
Come through your door.”
Irish wedding blessing for a happy home
“Bless you and yours,
As well as the cottage you live in.
May the roof overhead be well thatched
And those inside be well matched.”
Irish wedding prayers of the faithful
For those who are strong believers in Christ (which many people in Ireland are), prayers are the appropriate wedding blessing.
St Patrick’s Prayer
St Patrick's Prayer is perhaps the most traditional religious wedding prayer. However it is a really long piece of writing, so often people will choose to take a section or verse.
“I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation”.
God’s Blessing
"May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!
May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness.
From this day forward.
By the power that Christ brought from heaven, mayst thou love me.
As the sun follows its course, mayst thou follow me.
As light to the eye,
as bread to the hungry,
as joy to the heart,
may thy presence be with me,
oh one that I love,
’til death comes to part us asunder.”
There’s an Irish wedding blessing for everyone
When looking for an Irish Wedding Blessing you’ll be spoilt for choice. Along with beautiful traditions like Irish Wedding Handfasting and Irish music, food and drinks, adding an Irish Wedding Toast can be a nice nod to your heritage.
If you’re still looking for the perfect ring to make your day special, take a look at our wedding ring buying guide.