Many traditional Welsh wedding customs have disappeared over the years, but there are still plenty of ways to keep historic wedding and courting customs alive in modern Wales!
Here are some of the most iconic Welsh traditions associated with weddings and a few other romantic customs that can be incorporated into contemporary wedding celebrations.
1. Myrtle Bouquets
Traditionally, Welsh brides would carry myrtle leaves in their bouquets. Myrtle plants have been used to represent love since ancient Greek times as they are associated with the Goddess Aphrodite/Venus. They were used in wedding bouquets to symbolise love, fertility and beauty. Some traditions will have the friends of the bride pinning myrtle, rosemary and heather sprigs to the dress.
The bride would also give her bridesmaids cuttings of the plant from the bouquet to nurture – if it grew and bloomed, this would supposedly signify that the bridesmaid would go on to marry.
The practice of using myrtle in wedding bouquets can be seen in modern times. Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, had them in her bouquet, following a royal tradition set by Queen Victoria.
2. Welsh Love Spoons
Welsh love spoons are now one of the most iconic symbols of Wales. The first documented spoon of this kind dates back to the 17th century, but they’re generally thought to predate this.
Even today, love spoons remain a popular part of wedding celebrations and can become a cherished part of the couple’s story together, whether they are given as wedding gifts or used as decoration.
What is a Welsh Love Spoon?
Love spoons are intricately carved wooden spoons, usually carved from a singular piece of wood and given as a romantic gift to indicate a man’s amorous intentions to a woman.
While this practice was not unique to Wales, the Welsh spoons tend to be thought of as the most impressive in artistry and variety. Various symbols and motifs would have been carved into the spoon to represent the hopes for the couple’s future and the feelings of the carver.
Common motifs include hearts, diamonds, wheels, chains, balls in cages, horseshoes and flowers. The designs all represent different things, such as love, affection, loyalty, prosperity and the number of desired children.
If the woman accepted her suitor’s feelings, the spoon would be proudly displayed on the wall after marriage.
3. Flower Girls
Even today, flower girls are a common part of the wedding procession. In traditional Welsh weddings, the wedding party would walk to the church together, and a flower girl would sprinkle petals along the way.
This flowery path following the bride and groom symbolises their future happy journey in life.
4. Birdsong
Welsh brides would have eagerly listened out for birdsong on the morning of their wedding day as it was believed that being awoken by birdsong on the special day signified good luck. Some also believed it was a sign of heaven’s blessing upon the union.
5. ‘Kidnapping’ the Bride
If you’re not familiar with the tradition, this one might seem a little strange! Traditionally, the bride’s family would ‘kidnap’ the bride on her wedding day just before the ceremony was set to take place.
The groom and his family would then have to find and ‘rescue’ the bride. It’s thought that whoever was the first to rescue her would be married within the year.
6. Bidding
A bidding wedding or wedding feast (also called a neithior) was an 18th-19th century Welsh wedding tradition where couples invited lots of guests to a celebration on the request that they each bring a small monetary contribution to enable the couple to start their life together.
These contributions were often seen as loans, which would be repaid on similar occasions. Invitations to the biddings were either delivered verbally by the bidder or sent as printed letters. The bidding feast would usually take place in the couple’s parents or relatives home or in a local pub.
This kind of community-funded celebration is largely unique to southwest Wales, traditionally happening in places like Cardigan and Carmarthen.
7. Brewing
Another 18th and 19th-century tradition was the brewing of beer or ale. Traditionally, the bride’s parents would brew a good ale for the wedding, or brew an ale to be sold at the bidding as mentioned above.
There are many historical references to the brewing of ale being a key part of the celebrations surrounding Welsh weddings.
8. Traditional Welsh Wedding Clothes
For many years, brides would simply wear their best dress for their wedding. In some cases, this may have been the Welsh national dress of tall black hats and red woollen shawls, but this was by no means the standard bridal dress across Wales.
Nowadays, contemporary brides may incorporate elements of Welsh tartan, tweed or a traditional shawl into their dress and decor as a nod to their heritage.
9. Twmpath Folk Dancing
Twmpath is a traditional folk dancing event that was traditionally held on village greens in Wales. The community dance features live music and a caller who calls out the steps and dance moves.
The traditional form of dance is lively and centres around bringing people together, making it a popular addition to contemporary weddings that want to incorporate a bit of Welsh heritage into the celebrations.
10. Romantic Divination
Rhamanta is the ancient Welsh tradition of seeking insight into your romantic future, so it’s no surprise it crops up around weddings and courtship. The way this future was predicted seems to vary.
One particular divination method involved a couple placing a shovel holding two grains of wheat over a fire. As the grains were heated, they would swell and pop off the shovel like popcorn. If the grains jumped off the shovel together, the couple could expect a successful marriage as they ‘jump’ into matrimony. If the grains jumped separately, the couple would lead separate lives.
11. St Dwynwen’s Day
While not strictly related to just weddings, St Dwynwen’s Day has plenty to do with romance, with modern adaptations including getting married on the day itself or making it a yearly tradition to celebrate as a couple.
Every year on the 25th of January, Wales celebrates St Dwynwen’s Day. St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers, so her honorary day is much like what Valentine’s Day has become, and it is considered the most romantic day in Wales.
Celebrating the day is becoming more popular among Welsh speakers, with some people exchanging cards and gifts to honour their loved ones.
Modern Welsh Wedding Traditions
While customs may evolve or fall out of favour over time, reflecting on wedding traditions of old can be a great way to get in touch with your heritage. There are also plenty of ways modern couples bring a hint of proud Welsh tradition into their wedding festivities.
- Harp music: As the national instrument of Wales, harps bring a timeless hint of tradition.
- Male voice choir: Also synonymous with Wales, male voice choirs add an impactful element to the day.
- Welsh language: Traditional songs, poems or vows said in Cymraeg are becoming increasingly popular for Welsh couples.
- Traditional foods: Incorporating classic Welsh treats like Welsh cakes or bara brith is a wonderful, easy way to bring a bit of tradition to the day.
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