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Handfasting Ceremony
What is Handfasting?
Handfasting, at its simplest, can be explained as a
spiritual union between two people, as opposed to a legal union.
Consequently, handfasting can be conducted as part of the conventional
wedding ceremony as well as commitment ceremony.
Where does Handfasting fit
into a Wedding Ceremony?
Because it's not a legal union,
handfasting precedes the legal vows.
What do you use in the
Handfasting ceremony to tie the hands?
To tie the hands in the handfasting ceremony, some people will
use one wide satin ribbon (2 or 3 metres long, 3 to 5 centimetres wide).
Others will use a cord which is anything between the size of a cord used
for curtains, or something thinner. Those couples who want to use the
six colours, but want only one cord, will put together the six thin
cords and plait them into one.
Who binds the cords?
Anyone at the ceremony can do the binding -
the celebrant, parents of the bride and groom, brothers or sisters of
the couple, the attendants or other relatives and friends not directly
involved in the ceremony proceedings.
How are the hands bound in
Handfasting Ceremony?
Again, this can be a matter of personal
choice of the couple.
In the first instance it can be right hands
joined in a handshake position.
Secondly, it can be left hands joined in a
handshake position.
Thirdly, four hands are joined with wrists on
top of each other right hand to left, and left hand to right. The bottom
wrist that of the groom, then the bride, then the groom with the top
wrist belonging to the bride.
Fourthly, handshake position of both hands so
that a cross is formed.
Handfasting and Jumping
the Broom
Apart
from using cords, ribbons and shawls, part of the ceremony can
include jumping the broom.
The broom represents the more domestic aspects of a
marriage, suggesting that while there will be highs in any marriage,
there will also be the more mundane. If the bride and groom are to live
their lives as two supportive partners, they need to be aware of both
aspects of their married life.
Handfasting Vows
The Handfasting ceremony can be enhanced by the use
of language appropriate to its origins and intentions, even when the
bride and groom are making their vows to each other.
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