I have lost count of the number of times I have been asked by clients “So what is a handfasting?/ an Oathing Stone?/ a unity candle and so on. As a result of that, I thought I would share with you some interesting facts and information about each of them. Symbolic rituals can add a beautiful and memorable element to what is already going to be a special day. They also make great photo opps’ too!
The Symbolic Wedding Ritual of a Handfasting
On this one, I will share some of the history of it, as it is a symbolic ritual which goes back many centuries. Handfasting is a beautiful symbolic ceremony which can be held at a Celebrant lead wedding. I love history and am always interested in the origins of things.
Handfasting is also known as the binding of hands as it involves the tying of a couples hands together to symbolise the joining of two lives. This is where the term, “tying the knot” or “the bonds of matrimony” comes from.
Handfasting or “tying the knot”, goes back hundreds of years. It was well established and very much alive during the middle ages. At one time in Scotland, Ireland and other Celtic lands, handfasting was recognised as a marriage just as binding as one performed in a church. At those times, it was known as “Celtic marriage” or “hand-wrapping”.
In the Middle Ages, to be seen in public holding hands, was a sign that the couple were exclusive to one another. Rings were usually for the rich; but a cord worked just as well for everyone else. Furthermore, handfasting was used a great deal due to the shortage of church pastors, as church pastors often had to travel great distances to reach more remote areas to marry couples. To accommodate this, and as a way for couples to show their intention and commitment to marry, a person of high standing in their village, or a village official, would officiate a handfasting ceremony with the couple. When a pastor reached their village, he could then marry the couple in a religious ceremony.
Today, handfasting ceremonies as used as part of a wedding ceremony; to mark an engagement or as part of a vow renewal ceremony.
At any of these, having a handfasting ceremony is a wonderful interactive element as each time the cord is wrapped, vows can be said. This adds a beautiful touch to a wedding because it is so personal and tangible. It also makes for wonderful photograph opportunities.
Beautiful handfasting cords are available to buy. I am able to recommend suppliers and makers of bespoke handfasting cords, as well as makers of classic cords.
As the colour of the ribbons making up the cord represent different things, the couple can choose colours or tokens for their cord which represent something meaningful to each of them, making them extremely personal to the couple.
Alternatively, they could make their own. This does require a specific type of loose cord as it would not be feasible with a cord which has ribbons and cords already knotted within it, and in order to wrap and tie it during the ceremony, the finished length must be at least 2 metres in length.
If you are interested in having a Handfasting at your wedding ceremony, we can talk it through as there are various ways it can be delivered during the ceremony. It could be just the two of you with me, the Celebrant involved; or you can involve family and friends in the handfasting process. Let’s chat about it! Suffice it to say, it is a fabulous symbolic ritual.
Finally, a handfasting cord can be kept as a wonderful tangible memory of your wedding day.
