Weddings are a beautiful way to begin a new chapter in life as a couple. While traditional weddings involve exchanging vows and rings, many couples look for ways to personalize their ceremony. One way to do this is by incorporating a handfasting ritual.
Handfasting is an ancient Celtic ceremony where a couple’s hands are tied together symbolizing their union. The tying of hands can be done with various materials like cords or ribbons. An officiant conducts the ceremony, and often the most asked question about handfasting is, what does the officiant say during the ceremony? Let’s dive in and explore.
What is Handfasting?
Handfasting is a Celtic tradition. It is a ritual of binding a couple’s hands with cords or ribbons to symbolize the union of marriage. The word itself is derived from the word ‘handfast,’ which means to make a pledge or a promise. The handfasting ceremony has been part of the Celtic culture for centuries and is still performed today in various forms.
The ceremony has different variations depending on the couple’s beliefs and preferences. Some couples opt for a solely handfasting ceremony, while others incorporate it into their formal wedding ceremony. In any case, an officiant will conduct the handfasting ceremony to perform this ancient ritual.
What Does an Officiant Say During a Handfasting Ceremony?
The handfasting ceremony is unique, and the words spoken during the ceremony can vary depending on the couple’s background, beliefs, and the officiant. But below is a sample script that an officiant could use during a handfasting ceremony:
Officiant: “Welcome, family and friends. We are gathered here today to witness the binding of _____ and ______’s hands in marriage. This ceremony is an ancient Celtic tradition, which symbolizes the union of two people.”
Officiant: “_______ and ________, before we commence with the binding of hands, I ask that you both remember that the cords or ribbons used during this ceremony represent the marriage contract and the promise to be entered into freely and voluntarily. As hands are bound, so your lives, spirits, and hearts will entwine. May you always find strength in each other and in this binding and may the knots of this binding remain forever tied in the face of life.”
Officiant: “A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other. While it is essential to remember the small things, never forget that the love you share as a couple will overcome all challenges.”
Officiant: “The binding of hands signifies a new beginning, the start of a journey shared by two people who love each other. May this new journey be filled with love, harmony and a lifetime of happiness together.”
Officiant: “I will now tie the ribbon/cord around your hands. Please hold each other’s hands and repeat after me.”
The officiant then proceeds to tie the ribbon/cord around the couple’s hands while reciting words like:
Officiant: “As your hands are bound together, so too are your lives, spirits, and hearts. May you always find comfort in one another, support each other during hardships, and cherish each other forever.”
Officiant: “______ and ________, you have declared your love and commitment here today. By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now seal your union with a kiss.”
Conclusion
Handfasting is a beautiful, ancient tradition that symbolizes the union between two people. An officiant during a handfasting ceremony ensures that the ritual is properly carried out, and the words spoken during the ceremony can vary, depending on the couple’s preferences. But, all of them have a similar meaning: To honor and celebrate the joining of two lives. If you’re looking to add personal and unique touches to your wedding ceremony, then a handfasting ceremony might be just what you’re looking for.
FAQ
How do you officiate a handfasting ceremony?
To officiate a handfasting ceremony, there are few things that need to be taken into consideration. First, choose where to add the handfasting ritual in the ceremony. This can be at the beginning as a prelude, in the middle as the main event, or at the end as a closing. Once you have decided where to place it, communicate with the couple to incorporate their preferences and ideas.
Secondly, explain the symbolism of the ritual in the ceremony. A handfasting ceremony symbolizes the joining of two people in love, representing the binding of their lives together. It is a spiritual or non-religious union that is based on the couple’s beliefs and values. Traditionally, it was a trial marriage in which a couple would enter for one year and one day to see if they were compatible.
Thirdly, tie a ribbon or cord around the couple’s hands. This symbolizes the binding of their love and commitment. You can choose a ribbon color that is significant to them, such as their favorite color or one that represents their cultural heritage. The tying of the ribbon can be done in a simple knot, or in an intricately woven pattern depending on the couple’s preference.
Fourthly, pronounce a blessing, prayer, or admonishment, and/or lead the couple in their vows. This is the time where the couple can express their love and commitment to one another through personalized vows and promises. The officiant can also give their own blessing or words of wisdom to the couple that align with their beliefs and values.
Finally, get our couple untied afterward. As the handfasting ribbon represents the joining of the couple, untying it becomes symbolic of their release from their previous lives and the beginning of their new journey together. The ribbon can be preserved as a keepsake or can be presented to the couple to keep.
Officiating a handfasting ceremony requires incorporating the couple’s beliefs and values, explaining the symbolism of the ritual, tying a ribbon or cord around the couple’s hands, leading the couple in their vows, and untying the ribbon to signify the beginning of their new life together. It is a beautiful and meaningful way for a couple to celebrate their love and commitment to one another.
What are the traditional handfasting vows?
A handfasting is an old Pagan custom that has become increasingly popular in modern times as a type of alternative wedding ceremony. This type of ceremony involves tying the hands of the couple together with a ribbon or cord, signifying the binding of two lives together. The vows exchanged during the ceremony are personalized by the couple, but there are some traditional handfasting vows that are commonly used as a basis for creating meaningful and unique vows.
Traditionally, a handfasting involved a couple taking turns to hold each other’s right hand and declare them as their wedded husband or wife – much in the same way as vows are made now. The vows, or “plighting of the troth,” are the promises that the couple makes to each other during the ceremony.
One of the traditional handfasting vows includes the line, “I, (name), take you, (name), to be my lawfully wedded husband/wife.” This phrase is commonly used in other wedding vows as well. However, handfasting vows often go beyond legal obligations and focus more on the spiritual and emotional connection between the couple.
Another traditional vow includes the promise “to love and cherish” each other for as long as they both shall live. This vow emphasizes the importance of love and support in a marriage, and the commitment to never give up on the relationship.
At a handfasting ceremony, the vows can also be “for a year and a day” or “for as long as love shall last.” These phrases refer to the old traditions of handfasting, where couples who chose to be together for a year and a day had the option to renew the marriage contract at the end of that period. Nowadays these phrases can be used to mean that the couple is committed to each other for as long as their love lasts, rather than a specific period of time.
Further traditional handfasting vows could include promises to respect each other’s unique paths and support each other in their endeavors, to always communicate honestly and openly with one another, and to be faithful to each other’s hearts and souls.
Handfasting vows can include traditional phrases like those found in other wedding ceremonies, but often include more spiritual and emotional commitments as well. Couples can personalize their vows to reflect their own unique values and beliefs, and to create a ceremony that is meaningful and memorable for themselves and their guests.
What are the words for the Celtic handfasting ceremony?
The Celtic handfasting ceremony is a traditional ritual performed in ancient Ireland to symbolize the binding of two people in marriage or commitment. It is a beautiful and meaningful ceremony that has been passed down through generations and continues to be celebrated today.
The words spoken during the Celtic handfasting ceremony vary depending on the couple and the specific details of the ceremony. However, there are a few common words and phrases that are typically used.
One of the most important aspects of the Celtic handfasting ceremony is the binding of the hands of the couple. The officiant will typically say something along the lines of “With your hands and hearts bound together as one, I now pronounce you united in love and commitment.”
Another common phrase used during the ceremony is a blessing upon the union of the couple. The blessing may vary depending on the specific beliefs of the couple, but typically includes wishes for happiness, joy, peace, and prosperity. An example of a common blessing that may be used during a Celtic handfasting ceremony is:
“May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace. May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase. May you never forget the love that has brought you here today, and may it continue to grow stronger with each passing year. Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.”
In addition to the words spoken during the ceremony, there may also be other elements that are incorporated into a Celtic handfasting, such as the exchange of rings, the lighting of candles, or the pouring of wine. These elements are often symbolic of the love and commitment between the couple and may be accompanied by additional words from the officiant.
The words spoken during a Celtic handfasting ceremony vary depending on the couple and the specific details of the ceremony, but typically include a binding of the hands and a blessing upon the union of the couple. The ceremony is a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate the love and commitment between two people and continues to be a cherished tradition today.