How to Plan Handfasting Wedding Vows
Handfasting is believed to date back to the Celts. During the Middle Ages, there was often no priest or minister available to perform an official wedding in many of the small villages. Therefore, a couple would perform a temporary ceremony that would last a year and a day, which was enough time for an official to come to town for the legal ceremony. Handfasting ceremonies still take place today, whether as a pagan wedding ceremony or incorporated into other wedding traditions.
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Instructions
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Incorporate a cleansing ritual to create a sacred space and invoke the four elements or directions. The directions are invited to witness and protect the couple as they make their way into the world as one.
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Clasp right hands and have the priest or priestess lightly bind the hands of you and your love together while speaking to the the two of you, and to the witnesses, of the ceremony's meaning.
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Speak words of love and commitment to each other. These words can be written by the couple or can be words from ancient Celtic books that have been used throughout the ages. Speak these words in front of friends and family. You may, however, choose to hold the ceremony privately, with no witnesses other than the priest or priestess.
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Make no eternal promises. In the handfasting ceremony, there are no everlasting promises made to one another--only a commitment for a year and a day.
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Conclude by jumping over a broom and sword while holding hands. The sword is symbolic of cutting ties with the old life, and the broom represents the sweeping away of the old life's remnants.
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Tips & Warnings
For pagans, the most popular day for the handfasting ceremony is on Beltane (in May) or on Samhain (Halloween).
A handfasting ceremony is often not legally binding. Depending on the particular state and the person marrying you, it can be legally sanctioned when an official signs the marriage license.
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Comments
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royalbartender
Feb 03, 2009
I will be combining a simple Christian ceremony with Handfasting. On March 3rd 2009. We will also be drinking from a ceremonial cup also a part of the celtic tradition, followed by exchanges of roses. Omitting the broomsticks. I will post pictures & details later if you like. Yvonne. -
royalbartender
Feb 03, 2009
I will be combining a simple Christian ceremony with Handfasting. On March 3rd 2009. We will also be drinking from a ceremonial cup also a part of the celtic tradition, followed by exchanges of roses. Omitting the broomsticks. I will post pictures & details later if you like. Yvonne.
