Celtic Wedding Vows & Irish Wedding Blessings

Who were the Celts? The history of Celtic Weddings

The Celts were an Indo-European group that lived in Ireland, Great Britain and part of Europe from about 400 BC until the progressive conquests of Rome, Germans and then of Christianity. They lived according to nature and their society was founded on the “big family”- what is now called “clan”.

The Druids (both men and women- the Celts made no distinction) were important members of society. They performed the priestly function, were guardians of the “sacred natural order” and were also philosophers, scientists, astronomers, masters, judges and advisers of the king.

The man-woman relationship in this complex social system was equal. The Celtic woman had the right to choose her husband and could not be taken in marriage without her consent. Once married, she did not become part of her husband’s family and remained the owner of her own property.

Celtic Weddings were therefore contracts that testified to the free union of two people, who could also decide to separate at any time. It guaranteed the parties rights and duties to safeguard the family. Therefore, there were no great ceremonies and, as a social contract, there were no religious celebrations.

You Cannot Possess Me ~ Celtic Wedding Vow

You Cannot Posses Me

You cannot possess me for I belong to myself.

But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give.

You cannot command me, for I am a free person.

But I shall serve you in those ways you require,

And the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.

I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night,

And the eyes into which I smile in the morning.

I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup.

I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care.

I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine.

I shall not slander you, nor you me.

I shall honor you above all others, and when we quarrel we shall do so in

Private and tell no strangers our grievances.

This is my wedding vow to you

This is the marriage of equals.

Celtic Wedding Blessing 1

You are the star of each night,

You are the brightness of every morning,

You are the story of each guest,

You are the report of every land.

No evil shall befall you, on hill nor bank,

In field or valley, on mountain or in glen.

Neither above, nor below, neither in sea,

Nor on shore, in skies above,

Nor in the depths.

You are the kernel of my heart,

You are the face of my sun,

You are the harp of my music,

You are the crown of my company.

Traditional Celtic Wedding Vow 2

I vow you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine,

from this day it shall only your name I cry out in the night

and into your eyes that I smile each morning;

I shall be a shield for you back as you are for mine,

no shall a grievous word be spoken about us,

for our marriage is sacred between us and no stranger shall hear my grievance.

Above and beyond this, I will cherish and honor you through this life

and into the next.

Blood of my Blood & Bone of my Bone

“Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.

I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.

I give ye my Spirit, `til our Life shall be Done.

You cannon possess me for I belong to myself

But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give

You cannon command me, for I am a free person

But I shall serve you in those ways you require

and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.”

“I vow you the first cut of my meat, the first sip of my wine,

from this day it shall only your name I cry out in the night

and into your eyes that I smile each morning;

I shall be a shield for your back as you are for mine,

never shall a grievous word be spoken about us,

for our marriage is sacred between us and no stranger shall hear my grievance.

Above and beyond this, I will cherish and honor you through this life

and into the next.”

Irish Wedding Blessings

Irish Wedding Blessings

The following are some old Irish blessings, usually used during toasts and speeches but can easily be reworked into some very romantic and personal vows;

“May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. May the light of friendship guide your paths together, May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home. May the joy of living for each other trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye. And when eternity beckons, at the end of the life heaped high with love, May the good Lord embrace you with the arms that have nurtured you the whole length of your joy-filled days. May the gracious God hold you both in the palm of His hands. And, today, may the Spirit of Love find a dwelling place in your hearts.”

“May joy and peace surround you both, Contentment latch your door, And happiness be with you now And God Bless you Evermore. May you live you life with trust, And nurture lifelong affection, May your lifelong dreams come true for you, Move ever that direction.”

“Happy is the bride that rain falls on. May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace. May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase. May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past. May your hands be forever clasped in friendship and your hearts joined forever in love. Your lives are very special, God has touched you in many ways. May his blessings rest upon you And fill all your coming days.”

“May you feel no rain, for each of you will be a shelter to the other. May you feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other. May there be no loneliness for you; Though you are two persons, but there is one life before you. May you go to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness, And may your days be good and long together.”

“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.”

“May the longtime sun shine on you, All love surround you, And pure light within you, Guide you on your way.”

“There they stand, hand in hand, and exchange wedding bands. Today is the day of all their dreams and plans. And all of their loved ones are here to say, God bless this couple who marry today.”

“In good times and bad times, in sickness and health,

May they know that riches aren’t needed for wealth.

Help them face problems they’ll meet on their way —

God bless this couple who marry today.

May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind,

May the rough times ahead become triumphs in time,

May their children be happy each day —

God bless this family who started today.

As they go, may they know every love that was shown,

And as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow.

Wherever they travel, wherever they stay,

God bless this couple who marry today.”