Wedding Ritual - Handfasting Ceremony

A Handfasting Ceremony is a very memorable, symbolic ritual you may wish to incorporate into your wedding or commitment ceremony.

Derived from Celtic tradition, it is believed the custom was to literally tie the couple's wrists or hands together for a period of time, some say a year and a day! This is where the expression "tying the knot" comes from.

Today Handfasting is where the couple drape a ribbon, cord, rope, beads etc of their choice, loosely across their hands during the wedding or commitment ceremony representing marital unity, a bond, a connection between the couple.  

You may choose to use two ribbons representing the couple or a third ribbon representing their families or children of the couple. The ribbon may be the colour of the bridesmaids or perhaps a tartan if relevant to your family heritage.

There are many options for a Handfasting Ceremony and together we can discuss, and with the help of my Samples Book, you can decide what best suits you. 

Sample #1

The celebrant or a family member places the ribbon/s over the couple's hands and says:

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on this your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today and always. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as you build your future together. These are the hands that will passionately love and cherish you through the years, and with a touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or sadness fills your mind, that will give you strength when you need it. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of both sorrow and joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. And these are the hands that when aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness and comfort with just a touch.