Scottish engagement ring and other traditions

In earlier posts I’ve talked about how the wedding engagement ring tradition can be traced back to ancient Romans and even further back to the book of Genesis when rings where given as pledges. Today, we are only going to look back as far as the Middle Ages, when the Scots started their own wedding engagement tradition of giving a fede ring. But unlike today’s practices, these silver Scottish engagement rings weren’t given to the bride-to-be, but instead was handed over to church (kirk)  when making arrangements for proclaiming the marriage. Along with the fede ring, the Scots practiced two other engagement traditions: the giving of the Luckenbooth Brooch and Claddagh Ring.

Fede Ring

Fede ring

The design of the silver fede ring included two hands which met in a clasp representing friendship, love or betrothal. This design is also historically thought to date back to ancient Rome or before.

Luckenbooth brooch

The Lukenbooth brooch tradition dates back to the early 1700s when silver and gold smiths sold merchandise in an open market along the Royal Mile, next to to Edinburgh Castle. At this time, open-market stalls were swapped for booths that could be locked after closing, and this is where the name luckenbooth (locked booth) comes from.

The jewelers crafted these brooches with designs including intertwining hearts beneath a crown which symbolized Mary Queen of Scots. Even the hearts often were shaped to create an “M” after the fashion of the Queen’s monogram.

Luckenbooth Brooch

Another wedding tradition included having these brooches engraved with a pledge of love. After the wedding, the bride often tucked the brooch away as a special keepsake. When the union was blessed with a first child, the brooch was pinned to the christening gown or blanket. Then it was tucked away until that firstborn’s own betrothal.

For those in America, an interesting twist on this tradition took place in the 18^th century when the Iroquois Indians of North America traded for Luckenbooth brooches!

Today the giving of a Luckenbooth brooch as a token of betrothal is still considered one of the most romantic symbols of love.

Claddagh ring

The Claddagh ring was also worn as an engagement ring. In fact, depending on how you wear the Claddagh ring it has different meanings including friendship, betrothal, or marriage. This ring design includes hands meeting (friendship) clasping a heart (love), topped with a crown which represents loyalty. Today this is probably the most popular traditional betrothal gifts exchanged as a token of unfailing love.

Claddagh Ring

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Wedding flowers and the superstitions tied to them

Wedding traditions are often rooted in superstition. Believe it or not, this even includes wedding flowers. In fact, wedding superstitions linked to flowers can be traced back to ancient Rome, ancient Greece, Asia, and elsewhere around the globe. While some ancient cultures didn’t actually carry or use flowers exactly like we do today, the plants they chose to incorporate in the wedding can be traced back as the precursor of the wedding flowers we have today. Of course, we don’t believe the superstitions they held back then, but isn’t it fun to know where some wedding traditions got started and why?

Wedding superstitions associated with flowers

Among wedding superstitions these are associated with flowers.

 

• Ancient Rome: Brides carried bouquets of herbs to symbolize fertility and faithfulness, and to ward off evil spirits.
• Ancient Greece: Ivy was thought to keep witches away and prevent drunkenness. When carried by brides, it represented everlasting love.
• Medieval Europe: Fragrant herbs like garlic were used in bridal bouquets to protect against disease and bad luck. 
• Tudor England: Brides not only carried flowers but ate them! Marigolds dipped in rosewater were considered aphrodisiacs—meant to add a spark to the wedding night. 
• Victorian Era: Tossing the wedding bouquet began as a charm to bring friends good luck and keep evil spirits away. Over time, it evolved into today’s playful tradition: whoever catches the bouquet is thought to be the next to marry.

 

• Middle East: Bridal bouquets often include artemisia, a bitter herb symbolizing the idea that marriages must endure both bitter and sweet times.
• Thailand: In traditional Thai weddings, the mothers of the bride and groom drape floral garlands over the couple’s shoulders as a blessing for good fortune. This is still a living tradition practiced today, symbolizing blessings and good fortune.
• India (South Asia): At the close of the wedding ceremony, the groom’s brother sprinkles flower petals over the newlyweds to protect them from evil spirits.
• China: Peonies, known as the “king of flowers,” are symbols of romance, honor, prosperity, and a blissful marriage.
• South Asia: Marigolds, with their vibrant golden color, are considered sacred and are used to attract blessings and ward off negativity.
• Asia (broader): The lotus is a powerful wedding symbol representing purity, spiritual awakening, and new beginnings. 

                             A white rose represents purity.

The Meaning of Wedding Flowers

In the Victorian era, the “language of flowers” became wildly popular. People believed that every bloom carried a specific meaning, and bouquets were carefully composed to convey messages without words. This was when the rose became firmly established as the symbol of true love. Over time, color added depth to the message:

• A white rose came to represent purity.

• A pink rose signified joy.

Other traditions embraced floral symbolism too. In Greek Orthodox weddings, crowns of orange blossoms traditionally worn by the bride and groom were thought to symbolize purity and virginity.

Even today, many wedding flowers are chosen not just for beauty, but for what they represent:

• Daffodils symbolize new beginnings.

• Hydrangeas suggest reflection and consideration.

• Irises represent perseverance.

When you think about it, a wedding bouquet is more than decoration—it’s a meaningful historical heirloom. With a little creativity, your floral arrangements can tell a story all their own on your wedding day, carrying centuries of superstition, symbolism, and sentiment into your celebration.

Photo credits: pixabay, pixabay, Wikimedia

Irish Lace Wedding Traditions: History, Meaning, and Beautiful Ways to Include It in Your Ceremony

(Updated May 2026) 

Many Irish wedding traditions are rooted in nature, shaped by folklore, or steeped in old‑world superstition. Passed down through generations, these customs continue to be cherished by Irish couples around the world—and by anyone who loves weaving ancient symbolism into a modern celebration.

One tradition, however, stands apart. It isn’t tied to nature or superstition but to compassion, resilience, and the quiet strength of Irish women during one of the darkest chapters in Ireland’s history. That tradition is Irish lace.

The History of Irish Lace

Irish lace is more than a decorative art—it’s a symbol of survival, creativity, and community. Its story begins in the early 1800s, when many families lived in tiny thatched cottages on crofts and struggled to afford even basic necessities.

In 1829, a lace‑making school opened in Limerick, introducing needlework skills to local women. But when the potato blight devastated Ireland between 1845 and 1851, the need for income became desperate. Ursuline nuns, familiar with Venetian lace techniques, began teaching women how to crochet delicate motifs that would later be known as Irish lace.

The lace these women created was sold to more affluent families, and the earnings helped feed and support the poor. Many families developed their own motifs and patterns, passing them from mother to daughter. Some designs were guarded so closely that they disappeared entirely when families emigrated or died out.

Today, Irish lace is treasured not only for its beauty but for the legacy of strength and generosity it represents. Including it in a wedding is a meaningful way to honor Irish heritage, or simply to celebrate a tradition born from love and resilience.

Four Beautiful Ways to Include Irish Lace in Your Wedding

1. Irish Lace Wedding Handkerchief

Carrying a wedding handkerchief is a tradition that some historians trace back to 1000 B.C. An Irish lace handkerchief adds a layer of heritage and artistry to this custom. Brides often keep their handkerchief as a cherished heirloom, and many families pass them down from mother to daughter. They also make thoughtful gifts for bridesmaids and parents.

2. Irish Wedding Garter

Irish wedding garters often feature lace, shamrocks, Claddagh charms, or Celtic knotwork. Whether worn for tradition, symbolism, or simply as a pretty detail, an Irish lace garter is a subtle way to honor Irish roots.

Irish Wedding Garter with Claddaugh Charm

3. Irish Lace Wedding Dress

Irish lace remains a beloved choice for wedding gowns. You’ll find it in vintage‑inspired silhouettes, modern mermaid gowns, romantic maxi dresses, and even short bridal styles. Its intricate patterns add texture and timeless elegance to any bridal look.

4. Irish Lace Streamers on the Bridal Bouquet

Traditionally, Irish brides carried bouquets of wildflowers or wore wildflower wreaths instead of veils. Adding Irish lace streamers to your bouquet blends old‑world charm with modern floral design. It’s a simple, beautiful way to incorporate the tradition without altering your dress or accessories.

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Photo credits: pixabay, Wikimedia

Wedding invitations: Evolution from town crier to paperless

Have you ever wondered how wedding invitations were handled before the invention of the printing press? In Medieval England, the town crier or bellman was in charge of passing on all the latest news, proclamations and other important information. This included wedding invitations! In this day when we need a count of how many people are attending, can you imagine wedding invitations delivered to the general public like this? In those days, everyone who heard the announcement was basically invited.

Oral wedding invitations

Wedding invitations delivered by the town crier were accompanied by the ringing of a loud hand bell in order to draw attention to the message being delivered. The message started with “Oyez” (pronounced oh yay) which is derived from the French ouïr (to listen). It basically means, “here this.” He announced the names of the bride and groom along with the time and date of the wedding. As long as you were not among those shunned by the family, if you heard the announcement, you were invited to the wedding. However, such announcements were reserved for important weddings among nobility and aristocracy, not everyday commoners. Common people had to just trust word of mouth to get the invitations out.

Hand penned wedding invitations

During the Middle Ages, some of these well-to-do couples commissioned monks to hand pen their invitations using their expertise in calligraphy. Such invitations were elaborate and hand delivered, and those who received them were most likely able to read.

Evolution of the wedding invitations in the newspaper

Once Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1447, the town crier’s responsibilities gradually changed with the advent of newspapers, and it became commonplace to place wedding invitations in the local newspaper. In the mid-1600s, engraved wedding invitations came on the scene. These were similar to wedding invitations today. By the Victorian-age, these wedding invitations were commonly used in America, but because of the unreliability of the postal system of the day they were often hand delivered until the early 1900s. Even then, a double envelope system was used to ensure the invitation would arrive without being spoiled reroute. Today the double envelope system is still commonly used but now it's more a matter of tradition. 

Commercially printed wedding invitations came into vogue in the 1950s making wedding invitations more affordable for everyone. Today, the use of letterpress is popular, as well as digital printing, with several outlets making wedding invitations convenient to personalize and buy online.

Affordable wedding invitations online

The following online venues offer a vast selection of affordable wedding invitations:

• Vistaprint wedding invitations
• Shutterfly wedding invitations
• Along with these, paperless wedding invitations are also growing more popular.

Photo credits: pixabay, Wikimedia, pexels