There are so many reasons to hold a handfasting ceremony! Why do you perform a handfasting ceremony? If you want to tie in god(s) and spiritual beliefs, you can… if not, that’s completely okay. Unlike many traditions, it really is 100% secular. It should be seen as a neutral option, with no focus on any single religion over another. While handfasting does have its pagan roots, there is no need to associate with the pagan religion in order to enjoy handfasting. It wasn’t until the couple had managed this time tied together that they then had their second handfasting ritual the actual marriage. In the Scottish tradition, this was taken an (almighty!) step further by keeping their hands tied for a whopping 366 days. It was believed that if the couple could survive the physical obstacles of those hours then they would survive any obstacle that marriage threw at them. Luckily, this is a part of the tradition that has moved on with the centuries and is thankfully not a part of the celebrant job description! At this point, they would often be escorted to the bedchamber to consummate their relationship. It was a simpler, more accessible option one that stuck… and we’re so glad it did!Ĭouples would pledge their commitment by binding their wrists with leftover strips of fabric (often torn from old garments) to symbolise their union, keeping the bind on until midnight. It derives from a Celtric and Druid tradition back then, couples could not just wander down the high street to buy a gold ring, and so handfasting became their marriage ceremony.

What we do know is that handfasting has been around for thousands of years and predates Christianity. Handfasting dates back so far, it’s difficult to pinpoint its exact origin. The celebration will be woven into the rest of the ceremony, accompanied by the beautiful, unique words of the wedding celebrant before, during and after the handfasting. The phrase ‘tying the knot’ and shaking someone’s hand to agree something comes from this very act! What is a handfasting celebration?Ī handfasting celebration is a beautiful, ancient tradition that has found a new home in modern wedding ceremonies.ĭuring the handfast, the couple will have their hands tied together, binding them into their new future as one. That’s why we’re exploring this romantic tradition in our Ultimate Guide to Handfasting. The benefits are huge, and the potential to personalise it further are abundant. That means it is perfect for couples with a strong faith, interfaith or are non-religious entirely.

Handfasting is a practice that can be enjoyed irrespective of your religious beliefs or any other cultural traditions. This ritual binds a couples’ hands together – often with coloured ribbon or cord – to signify their neverending union of love. Handfasting is the practice of joining hands by crossing them side by side during a ceremony.

It’s no surprise that it’s a tradition that countless couples (quite literally!) tie into their wedding day. It’s a ritual with a deep, spiritual origin as well as a strong connection to the natural world. Handfasting dates back thousands of years and yet remains an incredibly popular way for people to show their eternal love in the presence of their nearest and dearest. The joy of a celebrant-led wedding ceremony is that it gives a couple the freedom to create their own personalised, meaningful ‘big day’ a popular tradition many partake in is handfasting.

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