Wedding Gazette

Irish Wedding Ceremonies

By Jennifer Baumann

Weave Celtic tradition into your vows and unity candle ceremony with these beautiful Irish poems that make promises of unity, devotion, and independence.

When we found this Irish wedding vow of independence and humility, we were excited to find traditonal vows that were so straightforward yet poetic. Then we found the Irish Unity Blessing to use while lighting the unity candle. Frankly, all these touching Celtic vows make us want to be Irish. Seriously.

Irish Wedding Vow

Celtic Wedding Vow, by Morgan Llywelyn

"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 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."

Unity Candle Vow

If you are using a unity candle in your ceremony, this is a beautiful Irish pledge to make while lighting it.

Irish Vow of Unity, from the Irish Wedding Book

"We swear by peace and love to stand, Heart to heart and hand to hand. Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now, Confirming this our Sacred Vow."