What is a handfasting ceremony?
If you’re looking for a beautiful visual moment or extra meaning for your special ceremony there are lots of options that a celebrant-led wedding can offer. From ring-warmings to sand ceremonies, ritual moments allow couples to showcase their love in a uniquely personal way.
What is a Handfasting Ceremony
Handfastings, also known as hand tyings, have their roots deep in Celtic culture where two hands are tied together to symbolise the joining together of two lives. Historically, couples would use handfastings as a way to mark their betrothal, however, this ancient tradition is becoming popular with a lot of modern couples to celebrate their wedding day.
When should you do a Handfasting?
The choice is very much up to the couple. A handfasting is a visual declaration of your commitment to the other person, so you could choose to do it to mark an engagement, or even as a separate ceremony. A lot of couples choose to incorporate hand tying into their celebrant-led wedding ceremony, you can even exchange your vows as your hands are tied - cementing your words of commitment with physical action.
Why would you choose a Handfasting?
Hand tyings add the opportunity for an extra layer of meaning and personalisation in a wedding ceremony. The chords that the hands are wrapped in can be chosen for many reasons - to tie into the colour scheme of the wedding, the use of special cloth that represents an important part of your life, to represent different people (couples could choose different coloured ribbons to represent their children for example), or to showcase different things you love about your relationship through the meaning of the chords you choose.
Another benefit of handfasting is that it provides a wonderful visual moment for your photographers to capture in your ceremony - and your chords are a wonderful keepsake to hang in your home after your wedding day.
How many chords do you need for a handfasting?
The choice is up to you - a handfasting is as symbolic as you want to make it. You can use multiple colours and chords to reflect the meaning that you want to layer into this truly special moment.
Is hand-tying how you really ‘tie the knot’?
The phrase to ‘tie the knot’ comes from hand-tying ceremonies, where the officiant wraps the chords around the joined hands and then ties the ends together to symbolise the joining together of their lives.
What do you need for a handfasting?
A handfasting only requires the couple, what their hands will be tied with and the celebrant that we do the hand tying. You can buy the chords from many of the fabulous independent suppliers available (your celebrant may be able to provide them too), make them yourselves, or even choose something totally separate from formal chords to have your hands tied in. One of my first ceremonies was for two rival football fans who chose to celebrate their commitment to each other and acceptance of each other by having their hands tied using their football scarves.
Considering a hand-tying as part of your wedding? Or looking for other ideas to build into your wedding day to make your ceremony as unique as you are? I’d love to talk to you about your wedding plans.
