Handfasting Ribbon

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Posted by Cutechef729

It's pretty!! Is it for the ceremony?

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Yup! FH is Irish and I'm Wiccan, so it's really important for me to have it as part of our vows. I have the reading if you want me to post it.

You're doing a Handfasting Ceremony?! So awesome! I didn't know you were a Wiccan!

It's an old Celtic/Pagan marriage ceremony - sort of (and I use the term loosely) like the exchanging of the rings. The bride and groom's hands are 'fastened' (tied) together as a bond of marriage.

Very beautiful Danielle! Where'd you get it?

(ETA: I actually was thinking of doing this but I think FH is just going to give me a handkerchief of his tartan)

is this tradition exclusively for Celtics and Wiccans? I love the concept and wanted to incorporate it into my ceremony. I think it is a beautiful and meaningful idea!

Where did you get the ribbon from?

Has anyone else done it?

All opinions are welcomed.

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Posted by TattooAnkh

You're doing a Handfasting Ceremony?! So awesome! I didn't know you were a Wiccan!

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I just started practicing again after many years. Before that I was more of just a pagan by belief, but not practice.

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Posted by MsNewBeauty

is this tradition exclusively for Celtics and Wiccans? I love the concept and wanted to incorporate it into my ceremony. I think it is a beautiful and meaningful idea!

Where did you get the ribbon from?

Has anyone else done it?

All opinions are welcomed.

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It's also for anyone of Scottish/Irish background, but anyone can do it.

I purchased mine from myspiritualwedding.com and I had nothing but a great experience with Rev. James. He even wrote a personalized card with my order.

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Posted by Sharron70

It's an old Celtic/Pagan marriage ceremony - sort of (and I use the term loosely) like the exchanging of the rings. The bride and groom's hands are 'fastened' (tied) together as a bond of marriage.

Very beautiful Danielle! Where'd you get it?

(ETA: I actually was thinking of doing this but I think FH is just going to give me a handkerchief of his tartan)

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myspiritualwedding.com

I LOVE them. Rev. James is great.

This is the reading we're using:


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 eternal love to each other. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years and with the slightest touch, comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when you fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will wipe the tears from your eyes countless times, tears of sorrow and of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkle and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

With this cord, I bind Danielle and Sean to the vows they make to each other. (Wrap their wrists with the ribbons)

The knots of this binding are not formed by this cord, but by your vows. You hold in your hands and hearts the making and breaking of this union.

We used that reading!!! I got such a great response from our guests too! We didn't do it with the ribbon, I'd just read the poem and loved it, and wanted it to be a part of the ceremony. We just held hands while the minister read it. I pretty much gave my minister a script almost of everything I wanted included. I got many of the readings off the website
'abeautifulaffairoftheheart.com'
That's so great, I'd never heard it before! I had no idea it was actually part of a bigger ritual! Pretty cool.

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Posted by Kris109

We used that reading!!! I got such a great response from our guests too! We didn't do it with the ribbon, I'd just read the poem and loved it, and wanted it to be a part of the ceremony. We just held hands while the minister read it. I pretty much gave my minister a script almost of everything I wanted included. I got many of the readings off the website
'abeautifulaffairoftheheart.com'
That's so great, I'd never heard it before! I had no idea it was actually part of a bigger ritual! Pretty cool.

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It's from my copy of the Book of Shadows. I love it. I was original going to use rope, but the ones from the spiritual shops are very expensive (handmade and blessed).

we did the hand blessing prayer first and then teh hansfasting ceremony:

This was our ceremony:


Officiant: Know now that since your lives have crossed, you have formed ties between each other. The promises you make today and the ties that are bound here will cross the years and will greatly strengthen your union. With full awareness, know that you declare your intent to be handfasted before your friends and family. Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?

Bride & Groom: Yes, we seek to enter.

I bid you look into each others eyes.

Maria del Carmen, will you honor him?

I will.

Robert, will you honor her?

I will.

[To Both] Will you seek never to give cause to break that honor?

Yes.

And so the binding is made. Join your hands. (First chord is draped across the bride and groom's hands.)

Maria del Carmen, will you share his dreams?

I will .

Robert, will you share her dreams?

I will .

[To Both] Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?

Yes.

And so the binding is made. (Second chord is draped across the couple's hands.)

Maria del Carmen, will you share his laughter?

I will .

Robert, will you share her laughter?

I will .

[To Both] Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?

Yes.

And so the binding is made. (Drape third chord across the couple's hands.)

Maria del Carmen, might you ever burden him?

I might...

Is that your intent?

No.

Robert, might you ever burden her?

I might...

Is that your intent?

No.

[To Both] Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?

Yes.

And so the binding is made. (Drape fourth chord across the couple's hands.)

Maria del Carmen, might you ever cause him pain?

I might...

Is that your intent?

No.

Robert, might you ever cause her pain?

I might...

Is that your intent?

No.

[To Both] Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?

Yes.

And so the binding is made. (Drape fifth chord across the couple's hands.)

Maria del Carmen, might you ever cause him anger?

I might...

Is that your intent?

No.

Robert, might you ever cause her anger?

I might...

Is that your intent?

No.

[To Both] Will you together take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?

Yes.

And so the binding is made. (Drape sixth chord across the couple's hands. Tie chords together while saying:)

The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords, but rather by your vows. For as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union. (Once chords are tied together they are removed and placed on altar.)

that is so interesting!
Since we got married in April, I have been trying to figure out something to do at the reception.
I have not had much luck renting a rabbi..maybe I will do this.
Cool!