Figuring Out How to Incorportate a Handfasting Into a Modern Ceremony
As a Wedding Planner, it is part of my job to come up with creative solutions to a client's requests. Recently, a bride asked me if I had any ideas, aside from music, about how to add a little "Scottish Tradition" to her wedding ceremony. Since she's already expressed a dislike for the, now common, Unity Candle Ceremony, I thought, "Hmm, a Handfasting might work." She was intrigued, so I went back to my office to do a little research. Now, honestly, I'd only seen this old Celtic tradition in movies, like Braveheart, or read about it in books. It turns out that most all wording for Handfasting Ceremonies that I could find, were lengthy. Really, they were the entire body of a ceremony, not just a short "added wedding tradition" to place amongst the body of a more modern ceremony, that has the expected "message", "vows" and "exchange of rings".
What to do? Well, the solution was to write one, on my own, that fit the vision. Using ideas from multiple sites, input from the bride and groom, and a self-imposed word limit, I came up with a finished product that the clients were thrilled with. Read on, below:
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Wording for A Modern Handfasting Ceremony
In much of Europe, most commonly in England, Ireland and Scotland, until the mid 1700’s, few unions were initially sanctified in a church or synagogue, as Chaplains traveled, serving many parishes.
When a Chaplain wasn't in residence, couples' unions were celebrated by a simple handfasting ceremony in which the two partners, along with witnesses, joined hands over the village anvil, in the fields, or in groves of trees. The couple would link hands to form an infinite circle. Then, their hands or wrists would be bound together, in a pledge, symbolizing the binding together of their two lives into one. It is from this practice that the expression "tying the knot" comes from. Later, marriages were formalized in the local parish.
In honor of the Bride's/Groom's (Irish or Scottish or English) heritage, ____ and ____ have chosen for their unity ceremony, a Modern Handfasting, to commemorate their entering, together, into the union of marriage.
--Handfasting cord is taken from the altar.--
_____ and ______, this cord is a symbol of the lives you have chosen to bring together, in a bond of love, patience and mutual respect. Up until this day, you have been separate in goals, speech and actions. As your hands are bound together by the strength of this entertwined cord, so too, shall your lives be bound, intertwined in strength, as one.
If you would, please turn to face each other, and join your right hands.
--The Bride and Groom’s hands and wrists are lightly bound with Handfasting Cord.--
Just as your grasped hands are now united, so too, are your lives. May you be true to each other, forever in faithful unity, sharing in all things, with love and loyalty for all your time to come.
As further reminder of this sacred binding of one to the other, the bride and groom wish to say their vows, joined by the symbol of the knotted cord...
--Bride and Groom’s hands and wrists remain bound as they take your wedding vows.--
--Vows-- (as are chosen by Celebrant or couple; i.e. " ____ repeat after me..".).
As it is, these two cannot always be physically united with a joined cord.
--The Handfasting Cord is removed, (hands release and slip out) without untying it, and is replaced on the altar.--
As a reminder of this union, we use the wedding ring to symbolize the new connection, witnessed by friends and family, this day. It is a daily shining reminder of the sacred bond shared between a husband and a wife.
--Ring Ceremony--
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The added fun of this challenge, was that it added a unique touch. One that I could say that I helped with, to make the couple feel special. That's what I adore about my job!
Gina Marie Spadoni-Lillie
A Greater Plan Weddings and Events Consulting www.agreaterplan.com
Serving as your Premier Wedding and Events Planner for all Western Washington, including Seattle, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard and Bremerton ~ Voted in the TOP 5 for King 5's Best of Western Washington 2011!
Search Resources for Handfasting:
Celtic Cords by Niamh Trua
Mama Moontime (supplies and instructions on making multi-strand wool cord)
Nina Designs (Thick Silk Cord)
