Welsh Weddings

Welsh Weddings: and their traditions are less well documented than their English, Scottish or Irish counterparts. Perhaps this has something to do with the geography of the land - the long coastal region to the west, north and south and the mountain ranges effectively blocking the east at a time when traveling was once rare. Historically, the Welsh, were subjected to numerous invaders, who imposed their own cultures, hence the mixed descendancy of the Welsh from the Celts, Druids and Romans. When it became easier to travel a lot of customs were lost due to the influx of the English who again brought their own traditions with them and imposed their own laws.

- The uniting of two couples was conducted over the eras in the Celtic, Druidism and then Christian traditions. Today “Cymru” (Wales) has a multi-cultural society with a number of ethnic groups many of which are of non-Christian faiths.
- It is assumed that due to the Welsh love of song “Cymanfa Ganu”, (Hymn Singing), would certainly be a part of a wedding ceremony and after at the wedding celebrations.
- The bride and groom would have worn their “best dress”. The bride, if she could afford to do so, would have a dress made of blue, symbolic of purity and fidelity. It was not until the marriage of Anne of Brittany in 1499 to Louis XII of France who made wearing white popular.
- It was said to be good luck for a Welsh bride to remove a pin from her wedding dress and throw it over her shoulder.
- The bride would have a piece of myrtle in her bouquet, symbolic of love. If a bridesmaid planted her sprig of myrtle and it grew it was said she would marry soon.
- As a prelude to, or during, courting it was usual for a man to present a carved wooden spoon etched with various shapes: hearts for love, keys to say you hold the key to my heart, a wheel for I plan to work hard for you, a bell for let’s get married, and links or beads on the spoon to indicate the desired number of children they would have.
- “Kidnapping”: prior to the wedding the bride’s family would kidnap her. The groom and his family would give chase. Whoever rescued the bride it was said would marry within the year.

Welsh Weddings Today:

Having “lost” of number of traditions, and nearly their language, there has been a huge resurgence in Welsh traditions. This has had a knock on effect in that many couples getting married choose to promote their Welsh heritage and culture. Here are some ideas as to how you may promote your Welsh heritage:

- when planning your wedding menu - click here for: Welsh Wedding Menu
- in your colour theme, use white and green
- having an ice sculpture of the “Y Draig Goch”, the red dragon emblem - using “Cenhinen Pedr”, (daffodils, literally translated means Peter’s leek), another Welsh emblem for your floral decorations
- utilizing the Welsh symbolic “Cenhinen”, (leeks), see wedding menu above
- hiring a musician to play the “Crwth”, (Welsh harp)
- giving Welsh favors, e.g. Welsh love spoon, Tom Jones CD, jar of Welsh honey
- presenting your flower girls with a Welsh doll in national costume
- having your wedding bands made out of Welsh gold
- having a poetry reading from one of Dylan Thomas poems during your wedding service or a reading from the Welsh Bible

Welsh Weddings for Those Traveling to Wales:

Welsh weddings today either take place in Church, at a Registry Office, or other Licensed Building. In all cases the Superintendent Registrar of the District in which you are marrying needs to be notified personally of your intent to marry. If not resident in a Parish, it may be difficult to marry in the Parish Church or Chapel. To find out further information you will need to contact the Superintendent Registrar of the District in which you would like to marry. Also, if residing outside of the United Kingdom, you will need to contact your local embassy to see what additional documentation is required to be presented.

I hope your heart jumps with joy when you see the sign “Croeso i Cymru”, Welcome to Wales, upon your return to your ancestral home.

Welsh Weddings