Handfasting is an alternative to the traditional wedding that many couples following the pagan way of life are turning to. As with any ritual, handfasting is important because of what it means to you and the way in which that has come about.  Handfasting is a way of showing commitment to the one you love, it is a sacred marriage and a pledge, an intimate joining of 2 souls as they take the road of life together.


Handfasting the term comes from the Old Irish common law of a public statement of commitment.  It is the origin of the term ‘tying the knot’ It was frequently practiced on remote Scottish islands where it is not that easy to get a priest or clergy man to attend the ceremony and indeed was still legal in Scotland until 1939. 


Once you start researching, as we found, there are numerous handfasting rites and ‘do’s and don’ts’ about where to do it, when to do it etc.  I have decided to publish our ceremony on this site so that anyone who likes sections that we have written can take it and adapt it to their own ceremony.  Above all I think that a handfasting has the potential to be completely unique to the couple, their environment and the people and things that they hold close to their hearts.  I am very happy to exchange ideas with anyone wishing to hold a handfasting ceremony of their own.


The central part of the ceremony is where the couple’s hands are loosely bound by the cord, symbolising the uniting of two people, mind, body and soul.  The couple will say their words of commitment and then often will jump over a broom to symbolise the remnants of their past lives being swept away.  The ceremony may often take place within a circle and deities, ancestors, angels and guardians important to the couple called near to protect the couple and create a sacred space. Once a circle has been cast the five elements water, air, fire earth and spirit are recognised. There is a lot of information to be found on ceremonies, and circle casting so I am not going to go into that in great detail here, I have found the books written by Glennie Kindred and Cassandra Eason extremely informative.



We decided that we would like to hold our ceremony outdoors to be close to nature and managed to find a wonderful clearing in a wood close by.  Again this is totally down to your personal feeling about where you would like such a ceremony to take place.   Typically a handfasting takes place around the full moon, May Day-Beltane, or the 1st of August, our date had a particular significance to our family which was important to us.


If you would like to look at our ceremony then please click on the link below for a down-loadable PDF file.


Please see the shopping site for details of handfasting items to purchase or email me for further information.


Handfasting Ceremony