Old Welsh Wedding Traditions & Where They Come From

1. The Lovespoon
A beautifully carved wooden spoon given as a token of love — the tradition dates back to the 17th century, when young men would hand-carve spoons with symbolic designs for their sweethearts. Hearts for love, keys for the home, wheels for good fortune — each pattern had meaning.

2. Bidding (or “Bidding Weddings”)
In centuries past, a “bidding” was a pre-wedding gathering where guests would give the couple gifts or money to help them start their new life together. Often, a special poem or letter would be sent out to invite people, asking for their presence and support.

3. Pinning the Bride’s Dress
A custom where friends of the bride would pin sprigs of rosemary, myrtle, or heather to her dress for good luck. These plants symbolised fidelity, love, and prosperity.

4. Throwing Shoes
Yes, you read that right. In some rural areas, family members would throw shoes after the departing newlyweds’ carriage as a sign of luck and blessing!

Welsh Wedding Traditions Still Seen Today

Some customs have stood the test of time — perhaps with a modern twist:

  • Lovespoons are still popular as wedding gifts, sometimes even engraved with the wedding date.

  • Welsh language readings during the ceremony — poems, songs, or blessings — are increasingly popular, even for couples who aren’t fluent speakers.

  • Cwtches (the Welsh word for a warm, heartfelt hug) may not be an official “tradition,” but they are definitely part of every Welsh wedding I’ve ever photographed!

  • Incorporating the Welsh flag or colours — red, green, and white in flowers, décor, or even the groom’s tie.

Keeping the Traditions Alive at Your Own Wedding

If you’d like to add a touch of Wales to your special day, here are a few ideas:

  1. Gift your partner a lovespoon on the morning of your wedding as a personal and symbolic gesture.

  2. Include Welsh hymns or folk songs in your ceremony or reception — live harp or choir performances are especially moving.

  3. Use Welsh wildflowers in your bouquet, such as daffodils, bluebells, or foxgloves, for a nod to the land and its seasons.

  4. Add a bilingual touch to your invitations, signage, or speeches — even just a few words of Cymraeg can make a big impact.

  5. Serve traditional Welsh food at your reception — think bara brith, Welsh cakes, or cawl as part of your menu.

Why It Matters

Incorporating tradition isn’t just about history — it’s about identity, connection, and storytelling. As your wedding photographer in Pembrokeshire, I see how these small, thoughtful details add meaning to the day and become beautiful visual elements in your photographs. They help your wedding feel personal, rooted, and timeless — something future generations will smile at when they look back.

If you’d like your wedding photographs to capture both your love story and the little touches that make it uniquely Welsh, I’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch here →