If you are looking for a way to add some Irish charm and sentiment to your wedding, you might want to consider using an Irish wedding blessing.
These are phrases or poems that express good wishes and blessings for the happy couple. They can be used in various parts of the wedding ceremony, such as the readings, the vows, the toast, or the cards.
However, not all Irish wedding blessings are religious in theme. There are also some beautiful and meaningful blessings that are suitable for non-religious couples or guests.
In this article, we will share some of the best Irish wedding blessings for the non-religious, along with some tips on how to make them memorable.
Best for Wishing Warmth, Abundance, and Luck
“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 your home be filled with laughter. May your pockets be filled with gold
And may you have all the happiness, Your Irish heart can hold.
May your blessings outnumber, The Shamrocks that grow
And may trouble avoid you, Wherever you may go.
May luck be a friend to you, And be with ye in all your days,
And may trouble be to you, A stranger, now and always.”
This is a long and cheerful Irish wedding blessing that paints a vivid picture without being too cheesy.
By reciting this blessing, you are reminding the couple of the warmth and brightness that fills their hearts, and the prosperity that awaits them. You are also telling them that they have a lot of blessings to be grateful for, and a lot of luck to guide them through life.
Pro Tip:
When delivering the blessing, add a playful Irish accent and sprinkle a bit of mischief into your reading. Remember, it’s an Irish blessing, so a touch of charm and humor can go a long way.
Best for Celebrating Love, Unity, and Generosity
“May the meaning of this hour be fulfilled through the days and years to come.
May the love of this here couple, their unity of spirit,
grow deeper and stronger in the uncertainties and changes of life they will share.
Loving each other, may they love all persons.
Trusting each other, may they learn to trust life.
May their love reach out to the love of all, that their lives may bless all whose lives they touch.
May they find comfort together in shared hours of shadow, as well as in the bright sunshine of joy.
May they be to each other both strong and gentle.
May all who follow their lives with interest and affection have cause to rejoice not
alone in their happiness, but in their brave and generous living which makes life
beautiful and significant.”
This longer Irish wedding blessing is a poetic and profound expression of the couple’s commitment, faith, and hope for their future. It acknowledges the challenges and joys of life and marriage, and the importance of supporting and blessing each other and others.
Using this blessing has the advantage of making them feel connected and inspired to love not just each other but everyone around them. Your kind words will touch their hearts and make them feel warm and loved.
Pro Tip:
If possible, have a photographer or videographer capture the moment when the blessing is being delivered. This way, the couple can relive the heartfelt moment in the years to come.
Best for Declaring Your Love and Devotion
“May you never steal, lie or cheat.
But if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows.
And if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life.
And if you must cheat, then please cheat death,
because I couldn’t live a day without you.”
If you want to express your deep devotion and commitment to a couple who are truly meant for each other, you might want to use this blessing. It urges them to live virtuously, reminding them of the importance of honesty and integrity in relationships.
It also reminds them that they are each other’s best friend, lover, and partner in life. It also helps them to overcome any challenges or difficulties that may come their way.
Pro Tip:
Consider delivering the blessing during a quiet and intimate part of the ceremony, creating a hushed, emotional atmosphere.
To add some twist, sing the blessing as a song, recite it as a poem, or write it as a letter.
Best for Expressing Gratitude, Humor, and Friendship
“May the lilt of Irish laughter lighten every load,
may the mist of Irish magic shorten every road,
may you taste the sweetest pleasures that fortune ere bestowed,
and may all your friends remember all the favours you are owed.”
This blessing encourages the couple to find humor and happiness in each other’s company, helping them navigate life’s obstacles with grace and resilience.
It reminds them of the importance of having a positive attitude, a sense of wonder, and a grateful heart. It also assures them that they will always have the support and appreciation of their friends and family.
Pro Tip:
Encourage the guests to participate by inviting them to join in on the final line, “and may all your friends remember all the favours you are owed.” This will make everyone feel like they are part of the blessing and the wedding.
Toast the blessing with a glass of Irish whiskey, beer, or cider, or give the couple a gift of Irish symbols, such as a shamrock, a horseshoe, or a claddagh ring.
Best for Blessing the Couple’s World with Joy and Peace
“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.”
If you want to tell or read this Irish wedding blessing for the couple, you are choosing a sweet and simple way to wish them a happy and prosperous life, full of love and joy.
It reflects the Irish values of friendship, peace, and plenty. It also wishes the couple well in all the seasons of life they will go through.
Pro Tip:
Mention a short story or details of the couple’s love, joy, and friendship. This will make the blessing more personal and heartfelt, and show how much you appreciate their relationship.
Try reciting the blessing in Gaelic, if you know how to pronounce it correctly, to make them feel even more connected to their roots and traditions.
Best for Invoking the Symbols of Ireland
“Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through”.
This is an easy-to-memorize blessing that is a colorful and joyful way to wish the couple a bright and beautiful life, full of luck, laughter, and friendship. It uses the Irish symbols of rainbows, shamrocks, and smiles to convey its message.
You can also share some personal stories or jokes that relate to the blessing, such as how the couple met or how they supported each other.
Pro Tip:
Enhance the impact of the blessing by incorporating visual elements to give guests something to focus on while the blessing is being read. Print it on beautiful stationery or have it written on a decorative chalkboard or canvas. .
Best for Hoping for Happiness and Avoiding Misfortune
“May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
Quick to make friends,
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing but
Happiness from this day forward.”
Choosing this Irish wedding blessing to share with the couple is a witty and wise way to wish them a happy and blessed life, full of friendship and goodwill. It reflects the Irish values of humor, balance, and happiness.
As you recite these words, you remind them of the essence of their union, emphasizing the true wealth lies not in material possessions, but in the abundance of blessings they share together.
Pro Tip:
Say the blessing with a warm embrace or a handshake, or give the couple a gift of Irish cloths, books, or jewelry
Best for Sharing a Simple but Profound Wish
“May you both live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.”
This short Irish wedding blessing is a clever way to wish them a long and contented life, brimming with satisfaction and gratitude.
Rooted in Irish values of wit, simplicity, and contentment, it encompasses well-wishes for all aspects of their shared journey.
With just two lines and a simple rhyme, it’s easy to memorize, allowing you to add your unique touch of humor or emotion.
Pro Tip:
Aside from reciting the blessing, share a brief anecdote about their journey together.
Encourage the guests to participate by asking them to raise a toast to the couple’s happiness.
Best for Wishing Health, Well-being, and Happiness
“I wish you health, I wish you well, and happiness galore.
I wish you luck for you and friends; what could I wish you more?
May your joys be as deep as the oceans, your troubles as light as its foam.
And may you find sweet peace of mind, wherever you may roam.”
When you share this heartfelt Irish wedding blessing with the happy couple, you must know that it holds a world of good wishes for their journey ahead. This age-old blessing serves as a beautiful reminder of the essential elements in a fruitful and loving marriage.
Through this blessing, the couple will be encouraged to embrace life’s adventures and explore the world together. They’ll surely loved and blessed when they hear this blessing.
Pro Tip:
After telling this blessing, you might want to give them a health charm or a gift that will bring back memories of their special day and the support they received.
Best for Spreading Joy and Gladness
“Lucky stars above you,
Sunshine on your way,
Many friends to love you,
Joy in work and play—
Laughter to outweigh each care,
In your heart a song—
And gladness waiting everywhere
All your whole life long!”
This Irish wedding blessing is perfect for couples who are optimistic, cheerful, and sociable. It wishes them a lucky and glad life, full of friends, joy, and laughter.
With many friends to love them, the couple is reminded of the importance of support and community. The blessing recognizes the strength found in unity and the comfort of having loved ones by their side.
Pro Tip:
Have it written on a beautifully designed card, or engraved on a piece of keepsake they can treasure forever.
Best for Combining Luck and Lightness
“May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.”
As you stand before the couple, ready to share this heartfelt wedding blessing, you wish them a life of luck, prosperity, and joy in their hearts. This timeless blessing offers hope and positivity, ushering in a bright future for the newlyweds.
Your sincere words will touch the couple’s hearts, knowing you hold their happiness dear.
Pro Tip:
Deliver the blessing with a warm smile and gentle tone, and consider mentioning their names or sharing a love journey.
Best for Reminding the Couple to Focus on the Positive
“Always remember to forget
The troubles that pass away,
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.”
This wedding blessing reminds the couple to have a positive and balanced outlook on life.
It helps them to let go of the troubles that pass away, and to appreciate the blessings that come each day. It reflects the Irish values of resilience, gratitude, and mindfulness.
This blessing will surely make the wedding day more meaningful and peaceful for the couple and everyone else.
Pro Tip:
One best way to keep this blessing as a reminder is to put it in a personalized calendar, so that the couple can see it every day and be inspired to live each day with forgiveness and gratitude.
Best for Turning Bad News into Good News
“May the face of every good news
And the back of every bad news
Be toward us.”
When the couple hears this blessing, they will likely feel a sense of comfort and reassurance as it wishes them a life of positivity and optimism, and helps them to embrace good news and to face the difficult times with resilience.
The advantage of using this blessing lies in its simplicity and timelessness. This concise yet powerful phrase resonates with the couple’s deep meaning of marriage, a balanced and accepting life that faces both joys and sorrows with grace and optimism.
Pro Tip:
You could explain the significance of the words and how they symbolize the couple’s commitment to one another.
You may suggest the couple to keep a copy of the blessing in a special place, like a scrapbook or a framed artwork, to serve as a constant source of inspiration and a reminded well-wishes shared on their wedding day.
Best for Describing the Essentials of Life
“May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.”
The wedding blessing is a traditional and beautiful way to bless a newlywed couple with words of wisdom, love, hope, and happiness for their future.
By using this blessing, you are honoring the couple’s heritage and giving them a lasting gift. It reminds them to cherish their home, their loved ones, and their hearts’ desires.
Pro Tip:
You can make the blessing more memorable by printing, framing, or embroidering it, and incorporating traditional Irish elements into the ceremony.