A Handfasting Ceremony

Part 4  – A Handfasting Ceremony

In this ‘Elements’ series, I take a look  at how my brides and grooms have incorporated additional elements into their ceremony, to really personalise  their wedding  and make it a  truly unique and memorable day.

A Handfasting is one of the most popular elements chosen by couples who want to include a beautiful, colourful  and symbolic unity ritual in their wedding ceremony, 

Origins of Handfasting

Handfasting is an old Pagan custom that dates back to the ancient Celts. In this ceremony, the couple hold each other’s hands and their wrists are tied together, either with separate ribbons which are tied together with a unity cord or a specially plaited handfasting cord.

The tying of the ribbons and cords symbolise the binding together of the bride and groom’s separate lives and the commitment they are making together. For they literally ‘tie the knot’.

How to choose the colours for your Handfasting Ribbons and Cords ?

Some couples choose to match the ribbons with the colour scheme of their wedding.

For Maisie and Simon, the seas and oceans played an important part in their relationship, and so, naturally, sea blue was a colour they wanted included in their handfasting cord.

Other couples, like Ben and Tasha, chose to follow the symbolic meanings of colours, and the values they represent. For example, red for passion, yellow for joy, blue for loyalty and brown for reliability and base their marriage on these values.

Xiao and Jiajing, on the other hand, had one single ivory ribbon to bind their hands together.

Personalising Your Wedding Ceremony

As you can see, a Handfasting is a cheerful, colourful ceremony that adds a deep, personal and  meaningful touch to your wedding.

It is easily adapted to suit any wedding and will delight and surprise your guests and ensure your special day is a truly memorable occasion.

The ribbons and cord will create a wonderful keepsake to cherish and remind you of the vows and promises you made to one another on your special day.

”May these knots stay tied for as long as your love shall last “

Many Thanks

I’d like to thank Maisie and Simon, Xiao and Jiajing and Tasha and Ben for letting me share with you a part of their incredibly special day.

I’d like to thank the talented and generous Simon&Maisie Photography for the pic of them tying the knot, Ian Jeffery for the amazing pic of Tasha and Ben’s woodland handfasting, Helen, from Helen Lisk Photography for the two close up shots and  Dom Hu from RAW Vision for lovely pic of Xiao and Jiajing’s hand binding.

Look out for the fifth part of this series – A Unity Candle Ceremony !

For a look at Part Three of this Elements Series  – A Unity Sand Ceremony – Click here !!

For a look at Part Two of this Elements Series – A  Parchment Signing Ceremony –  Click here !!

For a look at Part One of this Elements Series – A Beautiful Ring Warming Ceremony – Click here !!