Some would say there is nowhere better to exchange wedding vows than the Emerald Isle, with its wild beauty and infinite mysticism.
Ireland is a land of great romance. Its vast landscapes of emerald green and dramatic coastlines offer photo-op backdrops to make one weak at the knees. For all you lovers looking for inspiration, check out these powerful Irish wedding blessings for the big day!
In addition to this, Ireland’s cultural identity, which is so heavily tied with Celtic mysticism and ancient folklore, brings an element of enchantment seldom seen to this extent anywhere else in the world.
With all this being said, it comes as no surprise that Ireland is a hot spot for weddings. Over 20,000 ceremonies take place each year, and for those of you in search of the perfect way to seal the deal, look no further.
These powerful Irish wedding blessings are bound to set a ceremony alight as you exchange promise rings, offering wishes of Irish luck and everlasting love for the happy couple.
10. A religious blessing – a more traditional approach to the Irish wedding toast
This is one of the powerful Irish wedding blessings that is commonly shared at more religious ceremonies on the Emerald Isle.
“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.”
9. Bless you, bless you, bless you – for a blessing all round
This is one of the powerful Irish wedding blessings that is short, sweet, and fits perfectly into Irish wedding traditions and ceremonies.
“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.”
8. A wedding rhyme – for a melodic touch
If you tend to love rhythm and rhyme, this Irish wedding vow is for you!
“May your troubles be less,
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness,
Come through your door.”
7. Love, money, and friends –one of the most powerful Irish wedding blessings
This brief but bountiful Irish blessing is perfect for any ceremony, offering well wishes for the future lives of the married couple.
“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!”
6. A sacred vow – one of the popular Celtic wedding blessings
This is one of those powerful Irish wedding blessings that can truly ignite a ceremony. This Celtic tradition calls on Celtic spirits and offering peace and love.
“We swear by peace and love to stand
Heart to heart and hand to hand.
Hark, O Spirit, and hear us now,
Confirming this our Sacred Vow.”
5. The one-liner – for those who have stage fright
The task of giving wedding blessing is an honour to some, and a death sentence to others. For those with a fear of public speaking, this one-liner will do the trick, making it one of the most popular blessings during an Irish Marriage.
“Merry met, and merry part, I drink to thee with all my heart.”
4. The two-liner – for those who feel it cheeky only to do a one-liner
Following on from our one-liner is our suggested two-liner. This is for those of you who think it a bit cheeky only to say one line for your wedding blessing.
“May you both live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.”
3. Short and sweet – for those who want to get straight to the point
Often on wedding days, it is vital to keep things short and sweet. Long speeches can leave guests twiddling their thumbs, so for those of you looking to get straight to the point, this is for you!
“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.”
2. Morning and evening, past and future – the all-round winner
This passage is one which touches on everything you could need in an Irish wedding blessing, taking into account married life, both past and future, morning and night.
“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.”
1. May the road rise to meet you – the classic for Irish wedding days
This is not only one of the powerful Irish blessings, it is also one of the most famous Irish sayings that you’re likely to have heard of.
“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 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.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.
May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.”
Some other notable Irish wedding blessings
If you aren’t completely sold on the Irish wedding blessings we listed above, here are a few more you might like.
“May there be a generation of children on the children of your children.”
From St Patrick’s Irish prayer: “I arise today, through the strength of heaven, the light of the sun, the radiance of the moon, the splendor of fire, the speed of lightning, the swiftness of wind, the depth of the sea, the stability of the earth, the firmness of rock.”
“May the blessing of light be on you — light without and light within. May the blessed sunlight shine on you and warm your heart till it glows like a great peat fire.”
“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!”
“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.”
“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.”
FAQs about Irish wedding blessings
How do you say “happy wedding day” in Irish?
“Comhghairdeas ar bhur la posta” means “Congratulations on your wedding day”.
What is the traditional Irish blessing?
“May the road rise up to meet you”, which is number one on our list is the most traditional Irish wedding blessing.
