How to Incorporate a Handfasting Ceremony into a Modern Wedding
Handfasting rituals are popular additions to traditional wedding ceremonies due to their strong cultural and historical backgrounds. They also provide a surprise for guests, which keeps the ceremony more interesting. Handfasting rituals can be performed as a betrothal, engagement,or as an addition to a wedding ceremony.
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Instructions
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Have your wrists tied after you exchange vows and before you exchange rings. There are many materials that you may choose to use, although some carry meaning from specific cultures. Silk cord is a traditional fabric for the ceremony, but there are other options.
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Have the bride and groom light a large candle to symbolize their joining. The officiant of the ceremony will call upon the spirit to bless the union and will tie the couple's hands together after readings and blessings from the guests have been heard. The bride's right wrist is tied to the groom's left wrist. The couple exchanges vows and rings, then they drink from a wine goblet before their hands are untied. The untying of the wrists represents the couple's independent wish to be joined together.
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The newly married couple is given an ivy wreath which has flowers chosen by the guests to symbolize personal wishes for the couple. They leave by walking under a floral archway while being showered with flower petals by their guests.
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Other materials used are: Rope, used in Latino ceremonies where the rope is draped in a figure eight over the couple's shoulders while they kneel at the altar. This can be done by the officiant, family member or the couple's godmothers'.Kente Cloth (or grass plait or cowrie shell plait), used in Africian-American ceremonies, the tying is performed by the ceremony officiant, a close friend, or a family member. The bride's right wrist is tied to the groom's left wrist. String, used in a Hasthagranthi ritual in Hindu wedding ceremonies. Buddhist Rosary, during a Buddhist ceremony, a mala – the rosary, is tied around the wrists by the officiant of the ceremony or the parents of the couple. Prayer Stole, the bride's prayer stole may be used to tie the couple's wrists to demonstrate not only the couple's unity, but also their unity in their devotion to God. The officiant will make the sign of the cross following the tying ritual.
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Tips & Warnings
Other materials that can be used instead of silk cord include rope, used in Latino ceremonies where the rope is draped in a figure eight over the couple's shoulders while they kneel at the altar. This can be done by the officiant, family member or the couple's godmothers'; Kente Cloth (or grass plait or cowrie shell plait), used in African-American ceremonies where the bride's right wrist is tied to the groom's left wrist; string, used in a Hasthagranthi ritual in Hindu wedding ceremonies; Buddhist rosary, or mala, which is tied around the wrists by the officiant of the ceremony or the parents of the couple; and a prayer stole that symbolizes not only the couple's unity, but also unity in their devotion to God (the officiant will make the sign of the cross following the tying ritual).
