Handfasting is either an engagement the wedding ceremony itself, so to be handfasted is equivalent to being married or at least being promised.
In the Middle Ages, Handfasting rituals were used as an engagement ritual.
As time went forward, Paganism began to grow and Pagans wanted marriage rituals that had an authentic significance without being religious.
So, Handfasting and the jumping of the broom was included in the ceremony.
The ceremony can be conducted by Pagan clergy, someone in your circle, a friend, or by yourselves.
If a legal official who also happens to be Pagan conducts the ceremony, that's all you'll need, it's legal and official.
But finding such a Pagan legal official can sometimes be difficult to find a clergy member who is also a legal official.
Pagans who want to become legally married will often have the legal paperwork and requirements completed at the local clerk's office or official government office.
If the legality, and paperwork fuss isn't required, anyone you desire can perform the ceremony.
We know giving the bride away is sentimental and traditional, but we have a problem with it.
A bride isn't property to be given away, no one owns her, she is free to make this decision all by herself, with her free will.
Celtic Wedding Vow by Morgan Llywelyn
"You cannon possess me for I belong to myself
But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give
You cannon command me, for I am a free person
But I shall serve you in those ways you require
and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.
I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night
and the eyes into which I smile in the morning
I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup
I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care
I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine
I shall not slander you, nor you me
I shall honor you above all others, and when we quarrel we shall do so in private
and tell no strangers our grievances.
This is my wedding vow to you.
This is the marriage of equals."
So in our Pagan Kitchen world, no one gives the bride away, but that's just us.
Once all that's decided, there's the ceremony itself.
Vows will need to be decided upon, maybe a white dress with a veil, this practice goes back to ancient Pagan Rome, when brides wore brightly colored veils to protect themselves from evil spirits.
Perhaps the sharing of wine by the couple.
Vows can be anything you want to say.
Here's are a few examples:
I promise to be faithful to you.
I promise to treat you with kindness, respect, appreciation and love.
I promise to participate in our relationship, even during hardships.
I promise to make humor and laughter an integral part of our family.
I promise to love you with all of my heart, honor you with all of my actions, and treasure you.
I promise to keep you warm when you get cold, and to stand in the way of the sun when it gets hot.
And wherever we go, I promise to be there, holding your hand and telling you, “I love you.”
You’re my best friend.
Let’s get really old together, thank you for marrying me.
Here's a Celtic Wedding Vow
“I pledge my love to you, and everything that I own.
I promise you the first bite of my meat and the first sip from by cup.
I pledge that your name will aways be the name I cry aloud in the dead of night.
I promise to honor you above all others.
Our love is never-ending, and we will remain, forevermore, equals in our marriage.
This is my wedding vow to you.”
Pagans like to stand during weddings, some stand or sit in a circle for Pagan ceremonies.
Sometimes there is the blessing of the area where the ritual is being conducted with the burning of incense, ringing bells, banging drums, casting a circle In order to eliminate any negative energies from wherever they may come.
The elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire are usually included, both in words and physically present.
The earth we stand upon for this ritual, the air we breathe, the water can be displayed in any kind of vessel and the flame of candles to represent the element of fire.
These elements are the ingredients of life and creation, how wonderful at a Pagan
As mentioned earlier, Handfasting is the binding of a couple's hands and or wrists together as a unity ritual within the ceremony. The the couple themselves may tie the knot, maybe it would it the official or by friends or a family member.
The couple decides how long to remain tied in Handfasting, but usually they remain this way during the vows and exchange of the rings.
Handfasting Ceremony Vows
Do you, < >, take < > to be your wife,
To be her constant friend,
her partner in life, and her true love?
To love her without reservation,
honor and respect her,
protect her from harm,
comfort her in times of distress,
and to grow with her in mind and spirit?
Do you, < >, take > >to be your husband,
To be his constant friend,
his partner in life, and his true love?
To love him without reservation,
honor and respect him,
protect him from harm,
comfort him in times of distress,
and to grow with?
The Giving of Rings Exchange
I take you my heart
At the rising of the moon
And the setting of the stars.
To love and to honour
Through all that may come.
Through all our lives together
In all our lives,
May we be reborn
That we may meet and know
And love again,
And remember
The jumping over the wedding broom Is common in Pagan weddings.
The broom represents a new threshold, a new beginning into married life.
As brooms are used for cleaning and sweeping, it can symbolize the sweeping away of the old from your past to start fresh. The handle of a broom is somewhat phallic in shape and the brush is shaped somewhat like a woman's skirt, so these two things combined can symbolize fertility and union.
A broom also symbolizes the daily life of being married; caring for one another.
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