Celtic wedding traditions like “tying the knot” with
handfasting, jumping
the broom, having bagpipes play as the bride walks down the aisle, or
dressing in a kilt or wearing a jacket or a hat with a Tartan worn over the
shoulder are popular Celtic traditions chosen by many modern-day couples for their wedding ceremony, but one
less practiced Celtic tradition that can add a fun element to your special day is to
make it a barefoot wedding.
Barefoot weddings today
Today, this ancient custom has been adopted for
country themed weddings, and in some circles it is considered a “sign of purity”
when you enter any religious site barefooted because the removal of shoes is
thought to represent a person baring their soul. And of course, beach weddings
are often barefoot weddings because it’s easier to walk on sand with bare
feet. But what did going shoeless mean to the ancient Celts?
Celtic barefoot weddings
In the ancient Gaelic and Celtic tradition, the bridal
party attended the ceremony with bare feet as a sign of simplicity and humility.
This was also thought to represent the natural relationship being consecrated
at the ceremony -- “natural” was key. Back then, Celtic marriages took place in a
natural setting and were held in circles rather than in a church with an aisle,
so guests stood in a circle to welcome the bride and the groom. (Circles are the
design behind life-giving systems in nature and thought to be symbols of
wholeness). And so bare feet making direct contact with the soil was a way of
connecting to Mother Earth.
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| Barefoot sandals make a perfect accessory for a barefoot wedding. |
Barefoot sandals are a popular choice for brides who
want special “footwear” for their barefoot wedding, but before you decide on a
barefoot wedding, it is important to note that some people are not fans of bare
feet. In fact, some think walking around without shoes as rude, disgusting and
unsanitary while others argue that shoes carry the same things as bare
feet on their soles. So if you decide to go with a barefoot wedding, make the barefoot element clear on your
invitation and maybe even include "why" you're choosing this ancient custom to avoid any problems on your special day.
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