A Celtic Wedding in my Holiday Designer Showhouse Room
“Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Sixpence in her Shoe”
Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! I thought it would be fun to show you a Celtic wedding that was shot in my 2013 Christmas at Callanwolde Holiday Showhouse. (This is an updated post from 2014.)
It is a very rare occurrence, if at all, that a Designer Showhouse allows weddings in the actual home the event is being held. Perhaps on the grounds in a large white tent, but within the rooms designed by talented designers! What a brilliant idea! Let fantastic interior designers create your environment (Not an event planner, sorry) and heaven forbid you to walk on the $60,000.00 custom silk area rug (on loan, mind you) with a glass of red wine.
Yes, I have participated in Designer Showhouses that are open for private little corporate affairs inside the home, but not an actual wedding!!Ā
This was my room at the 2013 Christmas at Callanwolde photographed by Nicole Goodness.
The wedding of Tyra and Nathan McConkey (Clan of Donnachaidh) took place at Callanwolde on December 14, 2013, and I shall share with you their special day as it was blessed by the bride to share with all of you their private moments captured on this blog post.
Something unusual and very feline: Ā Tyra took advantage of a very old unknown Celtic tradition, Tyra asked Nathan to marry her on Leap Day!! You go, girl!!
I didn’t know that St. Patrick and St. Brigid were the two who started the whole tradition of enabling women to propose marriage on a leap day. Apparently, St Brigid had a chat with St Patrick about letting women have the right to propose to a man. And the cautious St Patrick ruled that a woman could certainly propose to a man. But only on leap day which falls every four years.
During the wedding ceremony, they did perform the handfasting ceremony and used a strip of his family’s tartan as the fasting rope.
This society of impulsive, quick reactions, need to have it now, needs to step back sometimes and embrace the traditions and customs celebrated; passed from generation to generation.
I shall share what I know from the wedding that took place at Callanwolde and in my room on a beautiful Saturday evening in December…
Ā Wedding TraditionsĀ
Something Old:
As with Celtic traditions, something old is continuity in the marriage. The bride is given something to wear that was passed down from generations.
My Old isĀ Callanwolde. Callanwolde is a Gothic English TudorĀ open to the public during the event. It can cause interior designers heart attacks when sugar induced crazed children from Santa’s Tea come running into your room and jump on the furniture. But as we say in the south, “It’s all good.”
Tyra’s Old: The beautiful antique costume jewelry of her grandmothers.
Something New:Ā
RepresentsĀ optimism for the future. The bride wears something new.
My New for the room: The furniture is new and transitional. And I am optimistic I will be returning to Callanwolde.
Tyra’s New: her beautiful wedding dress.
Something Borrowed:
Symbolizes borrowed happiness. Which the bride borrows an item just for the wedding.
Borrowed for the room: All the furniture was borrowed which made me happy.
Tyra’s Borrowed: Her mother’s diamond tennis bracelet.
Something Blue:
Symbolizes purity, love, and fidelity. Blue is considered a lucky color in Celtic countries. The bride usually wears something blue on her wedding day. Even bridal dresses can be blue in a Celtic wedding.
My Blue for the room: The room’s theme, “A Dazzling Blue Christmas.” I had blue in abundance for this room. Blue is my lucky color too.
Tyra’s Blue: Her wonderful Ā Swarovski crystal ring she wore on her right hand.
 |
| ANDRIA LAVINE |
And a sixpence in her shoe:
Is a wish for the bride and groom to have good fortune and to be well off financially in their marriage.
 |
| ANDRIA LAVINE |
The Formal Kilt Attire:
Tartan Kilt, Prince Charlie Jacket, Tuxedo shirt, Black Bow Tie, Fur Sporran, Kilt socks with Flashes, Kilt belts, Sgian Dubh
The groomsmen are wearing black watch plaid |
| ANDRIA LAVINE |
 |
| ANDRIA LAVINE |
 |
| ANDRIA LAVINE |
 |
| ANDRIA LAVINE |
 |
| ANDRIA LAVINE |
 |
| JENNI PINOLA |
 |
| JENNI PINOLA |
 |
| JENNI PINOLA |
 |
| JENNI PINOLA |
 |
| ANDRIA LAVINE |
|
| ANDRIA LAVINE |
 |
| ANDRIA LAVINE |
It looks like underwear was optional…….
To Tyra and Nathan:
Mi\le fa\ilte dhuit le d’bhre/id,
Mo/ran la\ithean dhuit is si\th,
Le d’mhaitheas is le d’ni\ bhi fa\s.
Thank you Andria Lavine Photography, Jenni Pinola, and Nicole Goodness for making my room so Magical!!
The room and wedding were stunning! I loved hearing about the traditions and how you also incorporated them into the room design. Wonderful post, so glad you re-shared it!
I’ve so enjoyed learning what is behind the traditions we all follow.Thank you for that. What a beautiful idea to impart that on the venue. What a gorgeous wedding! xx Maria
How delightful, your photos are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this special day on #chicandstylish. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Beautiful design. I enjoyed the history lesson too and agree with you society has become so fast andā want it nowā mentality. You shared great insight to the story behind the traditions
What a beautiful room and how exciting to get this extra exposure. I loved reading about all the traditions and how you incorporated them into your room.
What a beautiful room! i love hearing about traditions and do think it is so important that these things are remembered and passed down to generations. So interesting to learn about the Celtic tradition.
Thanks for sharing!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
What a lovely post. I am glad you re-posted it. I did not know about the money in the shoe… What a lovely room….