on the Emerald Isle or in Ottawa
Photos courtesy of Abel Honor New York
If you’re one of the umpteen Ottawa and Ottawa Valley residents who are Irish on more than St. Patrick’s Day, you’re far from alone. The 2021 Census reveals there are 4.4 million Canadians with Irish origins and censusmapper.ca suggests that, based on Canada Census 2016, 18.8 per cent of Ottawans have some Irish roots.
Faith and begorrah!
It’s fine news, indeed, especially for engaged couples. That’s because whether it’s you, your beloved or both of you with some Irish ancestry, an extra special occasion is in the cards. After all, the Irish are famous for knowing how to celebrate. Your own shindig doesn’t have to involve green everything, leprechauns or a whole lot of shamrocks, though. There are lots of options—from a destination wedding on the Emerald Isle to meaningful touches you can add to your festivities here in the Ottawa region.
Fashion designer Kate Wasserbach went the full-immersion route. The owner and creative director of Abel Honor New York, abelhonornewyork.com, married her business partner and high school sweetheart Travis Moore last November at Ballyfin Demesne, a Relais en Chataeu private manor in the Irish countryside.
The bridal extravaganza started Thursday, November 17, in Dublin at The Old Storehouse in the city’s celebrated Temple Bar neighbourhood and continued right through the weekend, ending with a “Bloodies and Burgers” barbecue on Sunday, November 20.
Wedding festivities on the 500-acre Relais en Chataeu property encompassed everything from horseback riding, archery, clay shooting and falconry to a jaw-droppingly gorgeous wedding fete. Fittingly, the bride’s two dresses, along with the gowns and tuxedos for the entire wedding party, were custom Abel Honor New York.
Of course, there was a bagpiper. And Elvis was in the building, performing. Altogether, Kate’s wedding was over the top and epic (the way the Irish like to do things). But you don’t need to be a New York fashion designer or hop over to Dublin with 100 of your besties to have a blockbuster Irish celebration.
There are bagpipers hereabouts, not to mention Elvis impersonators, horses and local Irish pubs with Guinness on tap. There are also plenty of venues and vendors in the area to help you create a memorable day, indeed.
Consider incorporating Irish lace into your bridal look, along with a bit of traditional Irish jewelry, such as a wishing ring, a Claddagh ring or a shamrock charm on a pendant. If you’d love to have live entertainment, unless you’re planning St. Patrick’s Day nuptials, you should have your pick of Irish bands, singers and dancers.
A traditional Irish blessing can be part of the schedule, as can storytelling or a performance by a harpist. And if there’s someone in the family known to stepdance well or do a fine jig, your guests just might want to get in on the fun too.
As for the menu, consider modern takes on Irish classics, such as shot glasses of potato soup, salmon, stew, prawns, soda bread and green salad. Dessert might be sticky toffee pudding or a confection featuring Baileys Irish cream and drinks can run the gamut from beer to whiskey, stout and Irish coffee. You might want to feature a whiskey tasting or make and serve your own honey mead. For your signature drink you can try another sweet treat called a Baby Guinness: an ounce of Kahlúa with an ounce of Baileys poured gently on top, using the back of a spoon, so that it looks like a miniature version of the famous Irish beer. Sláinte!
Irish on more than St. Patrick’s Day, you’re far from alone. The 2021 Census reveals there are 4.4 million Canadians with Irish origins and censusmapper.ca suggests that, based on Canada Census 2016, 18.8 per cent of Ottawans have some Irish roots.
Faith and begorrah!
It’s fine news, indeed, especially for engaged couples. That’s because whether it’s you, your beloved or both of you with some Irish ancestry, an extra special occasion is in the cards. After all, the Irish are famous for knowing how to celebrate. Your own shindig doesn’t have to involve green everything, leprechauns or a whole lot of shamrocks, though.
