Best Irish Wedding Music: Create a Perfect Atmosphere

Welcome to our guide for your special day. The mix of love and music is really special, and Traditional Irish Tunes for Weddings are a great choice. With our know how and love for Irish music, we feel sure you'll find the right tunes for your big celebration.

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Our recommended traditional Irish tunes for weddings include "Salley Gardens", "Wild Mountain Thyme", "Planxty Irwin", "Be Thou My Vision", "Caledonia", and "Sí Bheag, Sí Mór". Explore "Inisheer", "Marion Maclean", "The Level Plain".

Want special and personal Celtic music for your wedding day? Look at these traditional Irish tunes. Each has its own story, to make your big day something to remember. Read on and find the Irish tunes just right for celebrating love and togetherness.

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Down By the Salley Gardens

With its soft sound that fits well with the romantic feeling of a wedding, "Down By The Salley Gardens" stands out as a great choice for such big moments. This traditional Irish tune, full of poetry and melody, has a beauty that talks of love and longing. It was written by the famous Irish poet, W. B. Yeats, and later matched with the tune of a traditional Irish song, 'The Maids of Mourne Shore'. Its gentle beat and strong feeling make it a fitting part of a wedding's music.

In history, the word "salley" points to willow trees, a symbol of being flexible and strong in marriage. The song's feeling and sound can set a moving mood when played on an instrument during the processional. Its smooth beat helps build a strong emotional connection, making "Down By The Salley Gardens" a memorable choice for any wedding's musical list.

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We invite you to listen to the tune and feel its enduring melody resonate with you:

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If you listened to Celtri in the video above, they have a dedicated album for Irish Wedding music. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to their album on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Zyf2T3

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Wild Mountain Thyme

Full of warm feeling and a great fit for the loving mood at weddings, "Wild Mountain Thyme" is a popular pick. It's also called "Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?" and has been a favorite in traditional folk music. This tune is from the early 19th century. It was written by Francis McPeake, part of a famous musical family from Northern Ireland.

Full of romantic pictures of blooming wildflowers and a Scottish summer, the song shows a promise of lasting love. It's an offer to join with nature in a spot full of peace and beauty. Its welcoming tune and nice lyrics make it a lasting choice for romantic times.

It could be played by a folk band during the ceremony. Or it might be played by a string quartet at the reception. The pretty, flowing tune of "Wild Mountain Thyme" adds a bit of traditional feeling and warmth to weddings, making a couple's special day even more memorable.

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We invite you to listen to "Wild Mountain Thyme" to truly appreciate its beautiful melody:

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Do you know that this tune is the soundtrack of the movie also named as "Wild Mountain Thyme"? By clicking this link, you'll be directed to more information about it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3XDuvyH

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Planxty Irwin

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"Planxty Irwin" shows the classic side of traditional Irish music. This makes it a fitting choice for wedding events. This song by the famous Irish harpist Turlough O'Carolan is from the 18th century. It has a feeling of class and works well for big parts of the ceremony, like the procession or signing the register.

O'Carolan is seen by many as one of Ireland's best composers. He made this song as a "thank you" to Colonel John Irwin, which is why it's called "Planxty Irwin". Known for its soothing melody and nice flow, this tune is often played on the harp. But it sounds just as good when played with other traditional Irish instruments.

Using this classic tune for a wedding shows you like Irish history. It also shows a love for melodies that last. Its soft beat can lead the warm moments with a quiet beauty that really connects with everyone there.

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We invite you to listen to the elegance of "Planxty Irwin" here:

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If you are curious to learn more about the works and life of Turlough O'Carolan, here is a selection of CDs and books. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to Amazon: https://amzn.to/47RQI0N

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Be Thou My Vision

For couples wanting a song with history and spiritual feeling for their wedding, "Be Thou My Vision" is a great choice. It started in the 8th century and was put into English in the early 20th century by Mary Byrne. This hymn shares a real message about trusting in divine guidance.

It was first a traditional Irish tune called "Slane". The melody has an emotional feel that fits serious and happy times, making it perfect for weddings. The song can create a close, spiritual atmosphere during the ceremony. It can be played on instruments for the processional or sung as a hymn.

This hymn stands for a promise of unity and divine guidance in the life a couple is about to start. Its soothing melodyand old lyrics add a real, spiritual element to the wedding. It connects today with the long history of human faith.

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Have a listen to the historic tune, "Be Thou My Vision" here:

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You'll be surprised at the number of Christian Hymns with Celtic origins! Here are a few albums on Amazon that feature these hymns. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to Amazon: https://amzn.to/3XCeSri

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Caledonia

Very moving and emotional, "Caledonia" offers a great musical choice for a wedding ceremony. Composed by Dougie MacLean in 1977, it has grown to become a kind of unofficial anthem of Scotland, the lands fondly called "Caledonia" in the old times.

Written from a feeling of missing home while MacLean was away, "Caledonia" tells of love and strong feeling for one's homeland. When used in a wedding setting, the real emotion in the lyrics can easily be seen to show the strong bondbetween the couple.

Performed as an instrumental during the ceremony or as the couple's first dance, this pulling ballad connects with attendees, bringing up feelings of old memories, love, and a sense of belonging. Choosing this song for the wedding dayis to pick a piece that shows a powerful emotional and geographical connection, and clearly shows the strong ties of love being celebrated.

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Listen to the evocative and stirring tune of "Caledonia":

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Sí Bheag, Sí Mór

"Sí Bheag Sí Mhor", which means "the small fairy hill and the big fairy hill", is a pretty and old piece with a long past, making it a fitting pick for a wedding. This Irish tune was made by the well respected blind harpist Turlough O'Carolan in the late 17th century. As his first song, it holds a special spot in the collection of traditional Irish music.

O'Carolan got the idea from stories of two Irish fairy hills fighting, yet the melody itself is soft, with a light feel that nicely matches the joy and romance of a wedding. Its flowing rhythm and soothing tones create a nice mood. This highlights the special, fantasy like feeling that often comes with such big moments.

"Sí Bheag Sí Mhor" played as an instrumental piece adds a touch of old beauty and lasting feel to the wedding day. The soft melody, coming from Irish folklore and musical background, creates a special feeling, making it a memorable part of your celebration.

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Give "Si Bheag Si Mhor" a listen to appreciate its timeless melody:

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If you are curious to learn more about the works and life of Turlough O'Carolan, here is a selection of CDs and books. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to Amazon: https://amzn.to/47RQI0N

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Inisheer

Full of the feeling of Irish music, the song "Inisheer" is a great soundtrack for a wedding ceremony. This moving tune was made by Thomas Walsh. It gets its name from one of the smallest Aran Islands found off the Irish coast.

Showing the quiet calm of the island, "Inisheer" really builds a romantic mood. This melody can be played on many traditional instruments like the Irish tin whistle, accordion, fiddle, or harp. This adds a real feeling to any event.

Picking "Inisheer" as music at a wedding gives feelings of calm, strong love, and togetherness. Its nice flow and moving feeling will surely grab guests. It brings up feelings of unity and lasting love. It neatly links the moment of promise to the lasting beauty of Ireland.

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Enjoy the calming tune of "Inisheer":

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Marion Maclean of Eoligarry

"Marion Maclean of Eoligarry" is a pretty song that really captures the feeling of love and unity at a wedding ceremony. Made by the known Scottish musician Colin Melville, this calm and clear tune is named after Eoligarry, a nice spot on the Isle of Barra.

Even though it wasn't first made for weddings, the soothing tune and warm beat of this song make it a fitting choice for celebrating love and commitment. Its soft feel connects with the emotions between the couple. It makes a musical story that pulls in everyone there.

Picking this song for your wedding not only respects the cultural background of Scottish music but also adds a melodythat talks of lasting romance. Its calm tune, hinting at pretty views and quiet moments, gives a memorable background for the most important day of your life.

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Listen to the emotional composition, "Marion MacLean of Eoligarry", here:

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The Level Plain (Magh Seola)

"The Level Plain" or "Magh Seola", is a moving Irish melody. It really gets the feeling of love, promise, and unity. This makes it a perfect choice for a wedding soundtrack. This song was made by Gerard Fahy, a known musician from Ballinakill, Ireland.

Named after Magh Seola, the place of an old battle in western Ireland, the tune holds historical weight. It brings up pictures of the quiet yet pretty land, showing stories of bravery, honor, and lasting love.

Choosing "The Level Plain" (Magh Seola) for a wedding points to the lasting power of the vows. Fahy's song gives soothing and romantic sounds. It also neatly mixes the emotional feeling of a wedding with Celtic folklore. Adding it to the ceremony sets a memorable scene. It shows the wonder of old Ireland and fits with the love story at the altar.

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Listen to the melody of "The Level Plain" (Magh Seola) here:

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If you listened to Joannie in the video above, her album the "Song of the Irish Whistle" is filled with other Slow Airs that are just as beautiful. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to their album on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZtK9iE

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Final Thoughts

Traditional Irish tunes bring a lot of feeling and cultural meaning, making them great picks for wedding ceremonies. Every song, full of history and folklore, brings its own story that mixes with the couple's love story on their special day. From the soft songs of "Sí Bheag, Sí Mór" to the honor to the land in "Caledonia," these tunes show the importance of the day. They make a feeling of love, unity, and beauty that feels like it lasts forever.

By picking traditional Irish music for your wedding, you not only respect the cultural background of Ireland and Scotland but also make a feeling that everyone there will connect with. The melodies, full of romance, commitment, and the feeling of the land, will turn your wedding celebration into an experience you will not forget.

As you start your married life, let these Irish tunes mix smoothly with the emotions of your special day. From the processional to the reception, these songs give a pretty and moving musical backdrop. This background will really move all your guests.

Now that you've seen the beauty of these traditional Irish tunes, think about adding them to your wedding. They can bring a touch of old class and a feeling of lasting love to your celebration.

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For a more thorough introduction to Celtic music, the NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Celtic Music furnishes an A-to-Z glossary of musical terminology, lists of essential CDs, a history of the art form and its profound influence on modern music, and profiles of notable musicians. Find out more through this link on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gpW5rL