Handfasting:

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Handfasting is an ancient Celtic custom in which the couple have their hands 'fasted' together with ribbons, cords or a special handfasting braid. It usually took place at the annual Lughnasha festival where in Brehon law a marriage was made legal by the binding of hands,

this is where the expression “tying the knot” comes from. 

The ribbons that bind the couple's hands can be made up of different colours,

each with its own special unique meaning. You can choose to include family members in this tradition as they bring up the ribbons and drape them over the couples hands.

You may also choose to have a special handfasting cord made for you.

 

Here is a list of each colour and its meaning:

• Red: passion, strength, lost, fertility 

• Orange: encouragement, attraction, kindness, plenty 

• Green: finances, fertility, charity, prosperity, health 

• Yellow: charm, confidence, joy 

• Blue: tranquillity, patience. Devotion, sincerity 

• Purple: power, piety, sanctity, sentimentality 

• Black: strength, wisdom, vision, success 

• White: purity, concentration, meditation, peace 

• Gray: neutrality, cancelling, balance

• Pink: unity, honour, truth, romance, happiness 

• Brown: earth, grounding, talent, telepathy, home 

• Silver: treasure, values, creativity, inspiration 

• Gold: energy, wealth, intelligence, longevity  

  

The above meanings are just a guide to the colours, each colour may represent a different meaning for you individually or as a couple.  If you would like to include any of the colours above with your own specific meaning that is no problem, this can be incorporated into your handfasting ceremony making it individual to you as a couple.

 

The Oathing Stone Ritual

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The oathing stone ritual is an ancient scottish/celtic tradition dating back to a time before wedding rings were used. It is where the couple placed their hands on or held a stone of their choosing while they said their vows/promise to one another. It is believed that they were casting or setting their words in stone!

It's a beautiful tradition that can be incorporated into your ceremony and personalised to your wishes.

I make Oathing stones for any of my couples that wish it, with a celtic heart knot,

your initials and date hand painted onto your stone.

They make a beautiful addition to your ceremony as well as a lovely keepsake mounted in a frame!

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Jumping the Broom:

 

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Jumping the broom is a ritual/enhancement where the couple choose at the end of their wedding ceremony to jump over the broom together, signifying the beginning of their new married life together.  

Jumping in together with both feet.  

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Unity Candles:

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The unity candle ceremony is performed to symbolise the joining together of the two families, and their love for the couple, into one united family.  More often it is to symbolize the union of two individuals becoming one in commitment. 

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Sand Ceremony:

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 The different colour sands represent the individual lives of the couple/family.  

Although combined into a single sand ceremony vase, the layers of colour show that both members of the couple/family still retained their unique identities and personalities. 

 

Remembering Loved Ones:

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This can include images, lighting of a remembrance candle, a seat of honour , memory table etc. 

You can choose to keep it general or be more specific. We can chat about this in our planning meeting.

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Chocolate Ceremony: 

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Breaking chocolate into small pieces and feeding each other means that you will feed your bodies and souls.

 

Wine Box Capsule:

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The couple write a love letter to one another before the ceremony, expressing their thoughts about the good qualities that they have found in their partner and the reason/s for falling in love.  The ceremony will give this a narrative and the couple will place their love letters into a box along with a bottle or two of their favourite wine/champagne or even a fine spirit.  The box is then sealed to be opened on the couples 1st, 5th, 10th or even every anniversary.  The box is sealed during the ceremony.

 

 Ring Warming:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A ring warming ceremony involves the couples wedding rings being circulated among the wedding guests during the wedding ceremony.  The guests hold the rings and make a wish for the couple’s marriage.  The rings eventually return to the best man/woman/person prior to the ring exchange.  This is a lovely way to involve everyone in your wedding ceremony. (The rings are usually tied to a pillow cushion/box during this enhancement)

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Rose / Flower Ceremony:

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  This is a moving enhancement, the couple exchange two roses, symbolizing the giving and receiving of their love for each other throughout their entire married life. It is also an expression of union and love between the couple. 

 

 The Gushy: 

 

 

  

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The Gushy custom involves the bride's father throwing a handful of change on the ground in front of the bride as she leaves the family home. It is a tradition that brings good fortune to the couple in their marriage. Traditionally if children were present, they would scramble for the change shouting Gushy.

 

 

There are so many more enhancement ceremonies couples may choose from. Wishing trees, planting a tree, wishing stones, a time capsule including notes from all your guests etc.  If you have a particular enhancement you would like performed during your wedding ceremony please let me know at your consultation and we will try our best to facilitate your wish.

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