Handfasting & symbolism
Handfasting is an ancient Celtic ritual in which the hands are tied together to symbolise the binding of two lives. What a wonderful way to demonstrate your love in front of all your family and friends. What could be more beautiful to symbolise the becoming of one with your beloved through your vows?
This magical ancient tradition is making a comeback in modern weddings. Tied together, as one - with hands representing an infinity symbol - you will share your most precious commitments together.
The ribbons are tied by hand by a skilled braider using traditional methods. All colours are available and the ribbons are yours to keep forever as a memory of this important event.
Additional symbolic gestures which we can also discuss include Rose Ceremonies, Candle Ceremonies, Sand Sharing Ceremonies and of course, Jumping of The Broom!
WHAT IS HANDFASTING?
Handfasting is an ancient Celtic ritual in which the hands are tied together to symbolise the binding of two lives. While it is often included in Wiccan or Pagan ceremonies, it can be adapted to any couple within most ceremonies, as the intention behind it is always the same - to represent a strong love and unity between two people.
Handfasting symbolises the journey they will take together through life, as partners, bound by their souls, giving energy, love and support to each other.
This is truly a beautiful addition to any ceremony and works especially well as part of the sharing of the vows. There is also no reason why handfasting could not be conducted as part of a family blending, when children are brought together to become each others' siblings.
Lucy will also conduct handfasting during child naming ceremonies as parents and guardians are bound in their love and support of the child or children being named on that day.
The ribbons are made from a high quality double sided satin ribbon and are bound gently between the wrists of those expressing their love for around 5 to 7 minutes, before being removed for the rest of the ceremony.
SYMBOLIC ACTS
Have you considered including a symbolic act to represent your love and unity - one which your guests will remember forever?
The Final Kiss is beautiful and perfect for those of you who would like mums or dads involved. In this ritual, those who gave you your first kiss when you entered the world give you a last kiss on the cheek as a blessing before you say your vows and start a new family of your own. Get hankies ready as this always moves everyone to tears!
Or how about ring blessing and sharing (sometimes referred to as ring warming)? Here, your rings are passed amongst all your guests as they speak a silent blessing over them, sending and enthusing both rings with their eternal love and best wishes for you both. You can then carry this love with you forever as you then place the rings on your fingers until eternity.
Lucy also loves notelet sharing, where guests write their best wishes for the couple on small notelets to be sealed and opened on the first wedding anniversary. This is particularly beautiful as paper is the gift given to all couples after their first year of wedlock.
Have you heard of Jumping the Broom? Here, a broom is decorated and laid on the floor. The couple then jump (or if you prefer, walk) over it three times to represent sweeping away the old and welcoming in the new.
The Blending of Sand ceremony is adorable for both you and your partner and even more special if you have children from previous marriages - now blending two families into one! Here, different colours of sand are poured together to create one in a vessel or bowl for you to keep forever.
In the Candles as One ceremony, two candles representing each of you are lit at the start of the ceremony, and later used to light a larger central candle. As an alternative, a remembrance candle can be lit during the ceremony, in memory of those important to you who are with us on such a beautiful day in spirit and in our minds.
There are so very many wonderful things Lucy can do to make your ceremony unique and utterly special. We hope the above ideas have inspired you, but don't hesitate to contact Lucy for more information and inspiration!
