Are you - or someone close to you - 'tying the knot'?
Did you ever think about where the phrase comes from?
It's an ancient Celtic tradition that might surprise you. While these days rings are exchanged, in the ceremony in ancient times, couples would clasp their hands together and a cord, rope or ribbon would be wound around their hands. This was not to trap them but to link them as husband and wife! This tradition used to be widespread and is making a bit of a comeback with bright, colourful ribbons being used.
We're all familiar with the saying 'something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue', but back in the day, white was not the popular color for brides - it was all about blue, not just as a token gesture but for the entire dress. Long before white dresses came into fashion at royal weddings such as Queen Victoria's extravaganza, blue was the vogue. The color was said to represent purity.
The Claddagh is an old Irish wedding tradition - but unlike others, it keeps going and going and has stayed alive. Traditionally it's given as a gift, but increasingly it's bought now as a self-gift. Single people wear the Claddagh ring on the right hand facing outwards. When you're in a relationship it's turned inwards, indicating that you're 'not available'. If engaged, the ring is moved to the left hand pointing outwards. The wedding tradition is to then turn the ring inwards on that hand to show that you've been 'taken'. A Claddagh doesn't just have to be a ring though - a bracelet, necklace or earrings are often given as a wedding present or to bridesmaids or people in the wedding party.
And what about wedding bells? While the bells usually toll during a church wedding, the ancient Irish and Celtic tradition declared that the sound of bells would ward off malicious spirits. In the same way as the tradition of a lucky horseshoe, guests were often given small bells as a wedding token. If you're into tradition but not keen on noisy bells being rung by guests in your venue during the ceremony, a more modern way is to include a tiny bell in the embroidery of your dress, or wear a small bracelet or charm including a bell motif.