Celtic Handfasting
.
1. Invocation
[PRESIDER]: We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of [Bride] and [Groom]. [Groom] and [Bride] would both like to thank you for coming here to be with them on this special occasion. They're so pleased you could all be here to share in their joy. They would also like to remember others that could not be here today, but who are very much here in spirit.
2. Wedding Address
There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths, and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. If we learn no more in life, let it be this. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. Love is before Life, after Death, primary to Creation and exponential to Earth. Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, [Groom] and [Bride] have come here today to be joined as one in marriage.
3. Declaration of Intention
Others would ask, at this time, who gives this bride in marriage? But as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own free will. [Bride], is it true that you come of your own free will and accord? [Bride]: Yes, it is true. And I would ask the same of the groom. [Groom], is it true that you come of your own free will and accord? [Groom]: Yes, it is true. [PRESIDER]: Please join hand with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time doth pass, remember... Like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage. Let the strength of your wills bind you together. Let the power of your love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always.
4. Exchange of Rings and Vows
[Groom], I have not the right to bind thee to [Bride], only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time, and place this ring on her left ring finger.
[Groom]: It is my wish.
[PRESIDER]: [Bride], if be your wish for [Groom] to be bound to you, please say so at this time, and place this ring on his finger.
[Bride]: It is my wish.
[PRESIDER]: [Groom], please repeat after me:
I, [Groom's Full Name],
in the name of the Spirit of God
that resides within us all,
by the life that courses within my blood
and the love that resides within my heart,
take thee, [Bride's Full Name],
to my hand, my heart, and my spirit,
to be my chosen one.
To desire thee and be desired by thee,
to possess thee, and be possessed by thee.
I promise to love thee with a pure and faithful heart.
wholly and completely without restraint,
in sickness and in health,
in plenty and in poverty,
I shall not seek to change thee in any way.
I shall respect thee, thy beliefs,
thy people, and thy ways
as I respect myself.
[PRESIDER]: [Bride], please also repeat after me:
[Vows to be the same as Groom's vows, above.]
5. Sharing of Wine and Bread
[PRESIDER]: (Hands chalice to Groom, saying): May you drink your fill from the cup of love.
(Groom holds chalice Bride while she sips, then Bride takes chalice and holds it to Groom while he sips. The chalice is then handed back to the Presider, who sets it on the table.)
PRESIDER]: (Hands plate of bread to Groom, saying): Eat from the bread of life.
(Same procedure repeated with bread; Groom feeding Bride and Bride feeding Groom.)
6. Unity Candle Lighting
[PRESIDER]: From every person there arises a light, an individual spirit, whole and complete, to be honored and respected. And when they form a bond with another whole, complete person, a single, brighter light emerges from their union. [Bride] and [Groom], I ask you now to light a candle to symbolize your own lives as two unique individuals.
[Each light a candle.]
With these flames you will light a new and brighter light, which is your candle of unity. As you light the candle that represents the new life you will share, your own light will not be extinguished. Indeed, your marriage will be made stronger by the richness you bring to it as individuals. The flames that are kindled here are precious, for they are symbols of the light that shines in you. As the years go by, you must tend all three flames to keep the light of your marriage strong and bright.
[Together they light the Candle of Unity.]
7. Handfasting
[PRESIDER] (to attendant): May we have the ribbons, please.
(Attendants hands Presider four ribbons -- yellow, red, blue, and green.) (Note: optional, in addition, 2 more ribbons may be added to represent the Bride and the Groom.)
[PRESIDER]: These ribbons represent the four directions: This yellow ribbon is east, the power of air. A red ribbon represents the south, the energy of fire. The blue ribbon stands for the west, the power of water; and the green represents the north or element of earth. The handfasting knot, which binds two lovers' hands together, signifies their sincere and hopeful intention to make an indissoluble union. (Optional): The Bride's and Groom's ribbons represent the good things that each brings to share in marriage.
[PRESIDER]: The tying of the knot is still practiced in various ways by different peoples as a symbol of love, affection, faith, friendship, and duty.
[PRESIDER] (While binding the hands): Love made fast by tying together. (In smaller handfastings, at this point the Presider may invite each of the guests to give a brief blessing to the couple, by passing around a blessing stone, which each person holds in turn.)
8. Pronouncement and Introduction
[PRESIDER]: And now with the giving of rings, exchange of vows, the sharing of food and drink, the lighting of candles, an the knot having been properly tied, by the power vested in me by God/Goddess and the State of [Name of State], I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you. Blessed be! You may share the first kiss of your marriage.
[First kiss.]
[PRESIDER]: It is with great pleasure that I present to you for the first time as a married couple, [Groom's and Bride's Names].
[PRESIDER]: We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of [Bride] and [Groom]. [Groom] and [Bride] would both like to thank you for coming here to be with them on this special occasion. They're so pleased you could all be here to share in their joy. They would also like to remember others that could not be here today, but who are very much here in spirit.
2. Wedding Address
There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths, and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. If we learn no more in life, let it be this. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. Love is before Life, after Death, primary to Creation and exponential to Earth. Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, [Groom] and [Bride] have come here today to be joined as one in marriage.
3. Declaration of Intention
Others would ask, at this time, who gives this bride in marriage? But as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own free will. [Bride], is it true that you come of your own free will and accord? [Bride]: Yes, it is true. And I would ask the same of the groom. [Groom], is it true that you come of your own free will and accord? [Groom]: Yes, it is true. [PRESIDER]: Please join hand with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time doth pass, remember... Like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage. Let the strength of your wills bind you together. Let the power of your love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always.
4. Exchange of Rings and Vows
[Groom], I have not the right to bind thee to [Bride], only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time, and place this ring on her left ring finger.
[Groom]: It is my wish.
[PRESIDER]: [Bride], if be your wish for [Groom] to be bound to you, please say so at this time, and place this ring on his finger.
[Bride]: It is my wish.
[PRESIDER]: [Groom], please repeat after me:
I, [Groom's Full Name],
in the name of the Spirit of God
that resides within us all,
by the life that courses within my blood
and the love that resides within my heart,
take thee, [Bride's Full Name],
to my hand, my heart, and my spirit,
to be my chosen one.
To desire thee and be desired by thee,
to possess thee, and be possessed by thee.
I promise to love thee with a pure and faithful heart.
wholly and completely without restraint,
in sickness and in health,
in plenty and in poverty,
I shall not seek to change thee in any way.
I shall respect thee, thy beliefs,
thy people, and thy ways
as I respect myself.
[PRESIDER]: [Bride], please also repeat after me:
[Vows to be the same as Groom's vows, above.]
5. Sharing of Wine and Bread
[PRESIDER]: (Hands chalice to Groom, saying): May you drink your fill from the cup of love.
(Groom holds chalice Bride while she sips, then Bride takes chalice and holds it to Groom while he sips. The chalice is then handed back to the Presider, who sets it on the table.)
PRESIDER]: (Hands plate of bread to Groom, saying): Eat from the bread of life.
(Same procedure repeated with bread; Groom feeding Bride and Bride feeding Groom.)
6. Unity Candle Lighting
[PRESIDER]: From every person there arises a light, an individual spirit, whole and complete, to be honored and respected. And when they form a bond with another whole, complete person, a single, brighter light emerges from their union. [Bride] and [Groom], I ask you now to light a candle to symbolize your own lives as two unique individuals.
[Each light a candle.]
With these flames you will light a new and brighter light, which is your candle of unity. As you light the candle that represents the new life you will share, your own light will not be extinguished. Indeed, your marriage will be made stronger by the richness you bring to it as individuals. The flames that are kindled here are precious, for they are symbols of the light that shines in you. As the years go by, you must tend all three flames to keep the light of your marriage strong and bright.
[Together they light the Candle of Unity.]
7. Handfasting
[PRESIDER] (to attendant): May we have the ribbons, please.
(Attendants hands Presider four ribbons -- yellow, red, blue, and green.) (Note: optional, in addition, 2 more ribbons may be added to represent the Bride and the Groom.)
[PRESIDER]: These ribbons represent the four directions: This yellow ribbon is east, the power of air. A red ribbon represents the south, the energy of fire. The blue ribbon stands for the west, the power of water; and the green represents the north or element of earth. The handfasting knot, which binds two lovers' hands together, signifies their sincere and hopeful intention to make an indissoluble union. (Optional): The Bride's and Groom's ribbons represent the good things that each brings to share in marriage.
[PRESIDER]: The tying of the knot is still practiced in various ways by different peoples as a symbol of love, affection, faith, friendship, and duty.
[PRESIDER] (While binding the hands): Love made fast by tying together. (In smaller handfastings, at this point the Presider may invite each of the guests to give a brief blessing to the couple, by passing around a blessing stone, which each person holds in turn.)
8. Pronouncement and Introduction
[PRESIDER]: And now with the giving of rings, exchange of vows, the sharing of food and drink, the lighting of candles, an the knot having been properly tied, by the power vested in me by God/Goddess and the State of [Name of State], I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you. Blessed be! You may share the first kiss of your marriage.
[First kiss.]
[PRESIDER]: It is with great pleasure that I present to you for the first time as a married couple, [Groom's and Bride's Names].