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How to Plan a Wiccan-Themed Wedding

Contributor
By Patti Wigington
eHow Contributing Writer
(2 Ratings)

As increasing numbers of people embrace earth-based religions, such as Wicca, it's becoming more and more popular to have a Wiccan wedding or handfasting. In the past, Wiccans were often stuck having simply a justice of the peace marry them in order to eliminate the non-Wiccan theologies from their ceremony. However, there is a lot of information available for Wiccans considering a marriage or handfasting, and it's a refreshing alternative for people who aren't part of a Judeo-Christian spiritual path. If you're thinking of planning a Wiccan wedding, here are a few things you'll want to keep in mind.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    First of all, just like any wedding, plan as far ahead as possible. If you want to have your ceremony performed by a High Priest or High Priestess, it's common courtesy to give them as much notice as possible. This gives you time to sit down with them and talk about what your expectations are for the ceremony. Are you looking for something simple, with just a few words about your deities and your tradition, or do you want a full-blown ritual that includes the calling of quarters, ceremonial swords and lots of chanting and drumming? The more time you have to work this out, the better.

  2. Step 2

    When planning your wedding, think about how long the actual ceremony is going to be. If you want people to stand in a circle, you'll want to keep it short -- attention spans tend to waver after more than about half an hour, and if there are small children present, they'll get fidgety. Remember, as well, that if you have a circle you're going to need a lot of space if you plan on doing things like dancing, spinning or the calling of quarters. Make sure you set up your ceremony in a location that will accommodate all of your activities.

  3. Step 3

    Remember that you'll probably have non-Wiccan guests at your wedding. When you're planning your ceremony, take this into account. Make sure there is a place for people to sit (or stand) who only want to observe the ritual but not participate actively. Also keep in mind that for some people, such as older relatives, some of what you do may seem strange or weird. You'll want to be sure to brief them beforehand, which doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as saying, "Now, Aunt Martha, when you hear the Priestess invoke the gods, don't panic, it's just part of how we do stuff in our religion."

  4. Step 4

    When it comes to writing your vows, anything goes. If you follow a traditional form of Wicca, you may want to include the gods or goddesses of your system as part of your ceremony. Because some forms of Wicca include revering the ancestors, you might want to base your ceremony on an invocation for your family and forebears. In addition to deity and family, you might want to include a section of your ceremony to comment on your respect for nature. Really, they're your vows, so you can make them as personal as you like.

  5. Step 5

    Finally, don't use your wedding as a way to announce to family that you're a Wiccan. This is a conversation you should have well in advance of the ceremony. Your wedding is a special day, and you need to be able to focus all of your energy on getting married, not worrying about what Aunt Martha is going to think when she finds out you're Wiccan. If you have family members who refuse to attend a Wiccan ritual, you might want to wait and have a smaller non-Wiccan ceremony later on. Just remember, it's your day, and if you want to have a Wiccan wedding, that's entirely your privilege.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you don't have a regular High Priestess or High Priestess that you work with, it may take some work to find one. Check online for listings of Wiccan officiants in your area.
  • Just because someone claims to be a Wiccan High Priest or High Priestess doesn't necessarily mean they're legally able to perform a wedding. Check with your county's marriage license department to find out who is legally allowed to perform the ceremony and sign off on your paperwork.
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