Weddings are exceptionally special occasions. So much effort and planning goes into making the day a memorable and unforgettable occasion for all involved.
With all of the things going on and so much to organize, it is easy to become a little overwhelmed with the big things like wedding dresses, flowers, music and guest lists.
Just remember that sometimes it is the little things that stand out the most in real weddings.
For example, a thoughtful personal gift or kind word can leave an enduring memory that lasts a lifetime.
With this in mind, a well chosen Irish blessing for weddings is just one of the possibilities to leave a lasting impression in a very unique way.
So Brides and Grooms, if you are looking for Irish blessings with meaning to include in your own wedding, read on for inspiration.
Alternatively, if you are searching for an appropriate blessing or wish to share with the happy couple, you are in the right place too!
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Table of Contents
- 1 What are Irish Blessings?
- 2 How do Irish Blessings enhance the wedding ceremony?
- 3 May the Road Rise to Meet You – Wedding Blessing
- 4 Short Irish Wedding Blessings
- 5 Funny Irish Wedding Blessings
- 6 Irish Wedding Blessings for a Long Life Together
- 7 Irish Wedding Blessing Non Religious
- 8 Irish Prayer for Wedding
- 9 How to choose an Irish Wedding Blessing
- 10 Make your own Unique Irish Blessing
- 11 Irish Blessings for Weddings FAQ
- 12 Irish Blessings for Every Occasion
What are Irish Blessings?
Irish blessings contain a few lines of text written as a short phrase or poem.
They are used in a wide range of circumstances to wish someone goodwill and mark an event or occasion.
Some Irish blessings are meaningful and serious in tone, while others are lighthearted, funny and witty.
Related Article: Irish Blessings for Every Occassion
Note on Irish Humor:
In many cases, the lighthearted blessings often poke fun and sometimes rely on outdated stereotypes. This may be slightly offensive if taken the wrong way.
Be assured that this is not the intention of an Irish blessing.
It is important to understand that this type of wit is part and parcel of Irish humor. To join in the craic (or fun), you might need to have a tough skin!
How do Irish Blessings enhance the wedding ceremony?
Including an Irish blessing in a wedding either as part of the ceremony readings, as a hymn or as a toast can greatly enhance the special day.
It can remind the happy couple of their Irish heritage, their connection with Irish or Celtic culture or even a memorable time in the Emerald Isle.
Even if the wedding couple or their families have no connection with Ireland, you are still likely to find an Irish blessing that suits the occasion perfectly.
The Irish are certainly known for having a way with words and have many Celtic wedding blessings!
May the Road Rise to Meet You – Wedding Blessing
“May the Road rise to meet you” is one of the wedding blessings Irish weddings (and those further afield) often include.
The origin of this old Irish blessing is unknown. However, its simplicity and natural imagery appeals to many people.
In terms of blessings, it is also very versatile. It can be interpreted in many ways and is appropriate for use in several different occasions.
One of the most popular occasions where this blessing is used is in connection with weddings and new beginnings.
As the newly weds start their journey through life together, this blessing wishes them strength and support as they navigate the obstacles of life.
(The Complete Guide to May the Road Rise to Meet You explores the meanings and occasions when this blessing is used in more depth.)
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Some people prefer the slightly different of this Irish wedding poem which is:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Short Irish Wedding Blessings
It can be a challenge sometimes to find the right words for a wedding toast or to put on a wedding card for example.
These short Irish wedding blessings are filled with meaning and goodwill.
They are also concise. This makes them a great way to express your wishes for the occasion.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.
To all the days here and after,
may they be filled with fond memories,
happiness and laughter.
May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow,
and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.
May your mornings bring joy
And your evenings bring peace.
May your troubles grow few
as your blessings increase.
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.
May your joys be as bright as the morning,
and your sorrows merely be shadows
that fade in the sunlight of love.
May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.
Lucky stars above you,
sunshine on your way,
many friends to love you,
joy in work and play.
May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.
Funny Irish Wedding Blessings
Adding a little humor to a wedding ceremony or one of those long wedding speeches is always a good idea!
Here are some ideas for some great lighthearted Irish blessings to fit the occasion.
May you look back fifty years from now
and agree that today was the worst
day of your married life.
May your troubles
be as few and as far apart
as my Grandmother’s teeth.
As you slide down the banisters of life,
may the splinters never point the wrong way.
May the roof above us never fall in.
And may the friends gathered below it never fall out.
The only difference between an Irish wedding
and an Irish wake is one less drunk.
Irish Wedding Blessings for a Long Life Together
A wedding marks the start of a new chapter in life for the married couple.
Together the bride and groom, (or brides or grooms as the case may be), will set forth to experience the ups and downs of new life together.
These Irish blessings remind us that marriage and life may not always be easy, but together the couple are stronger. This is what makes life beautiful!
As well as marking a wedding day, they are also perfectly suitable as Irish anniversary blessings.
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers,
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours.
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through.
May joy and peace surround you both,
contentment latch your door,
and happiness be with you now,
and God bless you evermore.
When the roaring flames of your love
have burned down to embers,
may you find that you’ve married your best friend.
May God be with you and bless you,
May you see your children’s children,
May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings.
For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
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 Non Religious
While many Irish blessings do include God and other religious symbols, there are also some very moving blessings that have no religious connections.
The following Irish blessings are not religious.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that pass away,
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
May your pockets be heavy
and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you
each morning and night.
I wish you health, I wish you well, and happiness galore.
I wish you luck for you and friends; what could I wish you more?
May your joys be as deep as the oceans, your troubles as light as its foam.
And may you find sweet peace of mind, wherever you may roam.
May the face of every good news
And the back of every bad news
Be toward us.
May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.
May you never steal, lie or cheat.
But if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows.
And if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life.
And if you must cheat, then please cheat death,
because I couldn’t live a day without you.
This last one is from the film Leap Year (2010). It is not quite a blessing, but popular nonetheless!
Irish Prayer for Wedding
Saint Patrick’s Prayer, which is also known as Saint Patrick’s Breastplate is often included in wedding ceremonies.
It is sometimes used as one of the Irish readings for weddings, but it can also be sung as an Irish wedding blessing song.
This old hymn dates back several centuries, possibly to about the 11th century.
The verse most frequently used of this Irish wedding prayer is given below. Some people opt to include a shorter section rather than the entire verse.
Christ be with me
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
How to choose an Irish Wedding Blessing
There are a lot of Irish blessings to choose from, so trying to settle on just one can be difficult.
When deciding on which Irish blessing is the most appropriate to you as the intended wedding you should consider a few things.
First of all, what is the connection to Ireland? There doesn’t have to be one, but it is good to be aware of any links that the couple has Irish culture and heritage, if they exist.
Is the Irish blessing intended only for the newlyweds? This could be included in a personal card or perhaps engraved on a wedding gift, for example.
Will the Irish blessing be part of the Irish wedding readings and heard by all attending?
Or will the blessing be shared during the reception, meal and party afterwards when the atmosphere is usually a lot more relaxed.
This is usually a good time to opt for some of the funnier Irish blessings, especially if you want to raise a smile with some Irish wedding toasts.
Make your own Unique Irish Blessing
When it comes to weddings, adding your own unique touch or gift can be very meaningful.
This is a great opportunity to get creative and compose your own Irish blessing or help write one of the Irish readings for the wedding.
Or alternatively, brides and grooms can also write their own Irish wedding vows.
This article provides blessing ideas wedding inspiration to get the creative ideas flowing.
Usually an Irish blessing is short and to the point.
The key is to focus on the message you want to convey. If it is appropriate to make it funny, then by all means do!
Irish Blessings for Weddings FAQ
What is the Traditional Irish Wedding Blessing?
When it comes to famous Irish wedding blessings, the best known is probably “may the road rise to meet you”.
This blessing can be interpreted as focusing on new beginnings. In this sense it is perfect to include in a wedding celebration.
What are the best Irish Blessings for a Wedding?
This is really a question of personal taste!
“May the Road Rise to Meet You” is an all round popular Irish blessing that is well suited as an Irish marriage blessing.
Some other short Irish blessings for weddings are:
May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.
To all the days here and after,
May they be filled with fond memories,
happiness and laughter.
What is an Irish Blessing in Irish for a Wedding?
What better way to mark the day by including one of the most popular marriage Irish blessings in the Irish language.
This is the text for May the Road Rise to Meet You in Irish.
Go raibh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl
Go lonraí an ghrian go te ar d’aghaidh
Go dtite an bháisteach go mín ar do pháirceanna
Agus go mbuailimid le chéile arís,
Go gcoinní Dia i mbos A láimhe thú.
What is an Irish Toast for a Wedding?
Irish wedding traditions usually include a few toasts to the lucky couple, their families and friends.
These Irish wedding toasts can be serious or witty depending on the intention (and the audience!)
This Irish wedding toast from The Quiet Man movie (1952) is one of the most well known ones.
May their day be long and full of happiness;
may their children be many and full of health
and may they live in peace and freedom.
If you are looking for a humorous Irish wedding toast, then the following toast might be one to consider.
May you look back fifty years from now
and agree that today was the worst
day of your married life.
Do Irish Men wear Kilts on their Wedding Day?
It would be very unusual for Irish men to wear kilts on their wedding day.
Kilts are generally only associated with Scotland.
However, there is also a little known tradition of wearing kilts in Ireland. This is generally connected with pipe bands.
Discover more about this intriguing history in our Irish Kilts article!
Irish Blessings for Every Occasion
For more inspirational blessings from Ireland, check out our detailed Irish Blessings Guide.
We also have some great Irish Birthday Blessings in English and also Irish Birthday Blessings in Irish too.
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