Wedding Forum - Handfasting, Anyone?...

Firstly, with respect, 'Mods', I spent a long time checking that there was no similar thread, and no "Ceremony Type" before clicking my Category. Maybe this is somthing you could includude?
My H2B&I are planning on holding a traditional Wiccan/Neo-Pagan "Handfasting" ceremony, which is a really beautiful ceremony based around the elements of the earth, and the tieing of knots in ribbons, around the couple's hands. The ceremony also includes the ritualistic circle, the jumping of a besom brroom, and many other non-christian-tradional elements. Google/Yahoo/Ask etc for more info, far too complex to explain here
My question to the forum is; would you, as a non-innitiate, feel comfortable being invited to stand incside a sacred circle, hearing a wedding ceremony that you had little-to-no knowledge of and [for some] participating in the ceremony in a v. real way? [for those who know what im talking about, im talking about the Element Keepers]
Also; would you take this to mean as much as a "tradional*" church wedding?

Thanks ladies Will be interesting to hear responces :] Much love, B <3 x

NB; *= The Pagan ceremony of Handfasting is recorded to be around long before the established C Of E Wedding we know today, however, admittedly, the Wiccan and Neo-Pagan rites we follow today vary slightly from those then.

Just as I would sit through a catholic church wedding if that's what the couple had invited me to, then equally I would participate in a wiccan/neo pagan ceremony.

I would assume it would mean as much as any other religious ceremony to the couple in question. :-) There's an atheist's answer for you ;p

I have my own beliefs that don't fall under anything. Its mainly because although I have faith I refuse to be cattled into any of the boxes. I can't see how any of the religions can be so closed mind about a lot of things. For example I couldn't get married in the church with disabled access because I lived in the wrong street yet they couldn't provide disabled access in the church next to us. I'm sure that God wouldn't discriminate against me for getting married in another church so why does the church think it can stop me from getting married in what they call Gods house? It doesn't matter what name you label things as in essence all religions are supposed to unite people and bring out the good in them yet man has decided to use this to gain power over others and use it as a hate mechanism. Its that part I don't like.

People should have the freedom to believe in what they want to believe as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. As for others saying its a fake wedding it doesn't matter. Its your relationship and its real to you. A marriage is about the commitment you make to each other and it doesn't matter who it is done in front of, the commitment is still the same. If your grandad wants to think of it as bullSh*t then that is up to him but it is very sad if he misses out on his great granddaughter celebrating her special day.

( you may have noticed tha\t you have a new category ....Inspred by you )

Glad your feeling better. Your not alone though as it doesn't matter what you believe in there is always someone out there that will say something bad about it. I went down to see my friend on the train and it was full of EDL yobs shouting abuse because there were some Muslim guys on the train and they are idiots with nothing better to do. It just goes to show how pathetic some people are. If we were all the same life would be boring. Some people just can't be happy for others so you have learn to ignore them and be happy with yourself.

I am wiccan but my partner is not so I am getting married in a church on the grounds it was the church where I went to the youth group linked to it. I really would love a handfasting ceremony xxx

Jo; I hate rasicim in all forms; if they're happy then good for them
As part of my religion i accepted (formally) a saying;

I acknowledge the presence of other faiths on my planet, indeed, right here in my city/town/village. I acknowledge that the followers of these faiths feel as strongly, maybe more so, than I do about mine.

I forgive the other faiths and wipe clean the slate between us. I cannot hold a person responsible for the acts of their faith, I cannot hold a faith at fault for individual practitioners. It is not my place to convert, or otherwise alter a person's religion. I invite discussion of beliefs without judgment of those holding them.

I acknowledge that I may be wrong, and I have found comfort in the fact that I may be right.



And yeah, despite other people tearing it down, i know that what i believe makes me happy, and that what religion is SUPPOSED to do, right? ,3 x

No I'm afraid not but I will ask for an eternity handfasting ceremony instead of a wedding handfasting afterwards to bless the wedding xxx

I know ca ca ca I have talked with mine and they are going to think very seriously about it although they do want us to go through some questions to see whether we do appreciate what an eternity means I have been very thorough in my thoughts and during my circle time I have been focussed on nothing else but finding the truth in my own heart of whether our union can last the eternity I'll send you a pm to let you know what I found. And don't worry I have not yet taken offense at anything anyone has said to me on here I generally let things fly over my head xxx

i hope you understand all i say is meant with good intentions, even if it doesnt always sound like that. Are we friends here yet? we probably should be :L <3 x

I added you as a friend and don't ever worry I know you will never attempt to harm or negatively influence another being so I can take all you say from the heart in a loving manner :) Thank you for your care and attentions. Blessed Be. xxx

thankyou babes. Left a message in a thread about flowers, mainly about herbs and correspondences :L makes me smile, at leaset

<3 x

I'm in the same boat as you- my h2b and I are having a handfasting as well. We're causing a bit of a stir because he's Protestant so we're having a multi-faith handfasting (it can be done- we have our HPS and Priest lined up).
His family is perfectly fine with it (although they've always thought of me as a crazy hippy, in a loving way), it's my family that's been the problem. They're Hindu and they wanted to cram as many traditions in as possible- we've had to compromise that the reception be as Indian as they want, with the cultural traditions. But all religious stuff on their part is out, including the ceremony (believe me, this is very fair as they're not particularly religious, so to ask me to be is hypocritical).

Anyway, I'm debating who to have participate in the ceremony, if any. My advice is to go with whoever is supportive of your faith. I wouldn't be offended to be a participant in another religious ceremony, so it should go both ways. Its not like we sacrifice goats or anything, right? lol!

to be honest my plans are very basic still; the H2B was very under mummys thumb and she had him convinced that he wanted a church wedding despite him being an active circle member . . . *yawn* usual story. Yadadada, shes moved, i 've won HIM a chance to make a choice; this si the choice hes made and ive had .. . ooh, 24 hrs plan time? am so excited, i didnt sleep last night. at all. spent all on web, research, sourcing resources etc lolz.
Didnt see your thread; i searched "Handfasting" as opposed to "Pagan" lolz shouldve tried both i guess, sorry Mods!
we've made one decision; we want a 6 chord binding knot. And ive always known what i was doing re my flowers, even when i was in a church. <3 x

The best part about a handfasting is that, since it's not a legally recognised ceremony (yet- with Druidism being recognised by the charitable foundations, it won't be long I hope), you're not bound by venues. So you can have your handfasting anywhere you like. Although you'd need to ask permission for parks and such.

Once you've picked your high priestess/high priest, they can help you write the ceremony (we're meeting ours in March- so excited!). If you're not in a coven, try contacting Life Rites. They've been so helpful for me and my h2b (I'm a Solitary Eclectic).

Whaey! Snap! :D <3 x

oh wait shouldve done this is one post. sorry. Erm, yeah;
Found our venue we think. 98% sure; its a beautiful field next door to a stunning woods. Our first date was a walk in said woods, and our first moon rite was in said field. its going to be perfect :D
Whats your location like? <3 x

I know- my parents visit a Mandir once in a blue moon and they guilt trip me into having a Hindu wedding. Hasn't worked though- my h2b doesn't want one either so we're standing firm.

Like I said, contact Life Rites (I'll post a link on your wall)- they're be more than happy to help out with a HPS/HP

I've found finding a coven really difficult. Eventually I gave up and stayed Solitary :D

i am so very very happy to found not only other Initiates, but other Bridal Initiates . . . esp' ones who are Solitary like us! makes me feel alot less of "freak" or whatever. Thank you, ladies for support, which im sure wont faulter :D
B.B. To All <3 xx

Some people may feel a tad uncomfortable attending rituals however in my experience these people are happy to stand back a bit and observe. I have attended hand fastings before and they were very nice and there were no problems although they weremt legally binding and were all done at beltane so it was a bit chilly

I just ment the ones i saw sorry some of the couples were already married and renewing vows while others were just temporary marriages

Got lost reading this, I would need to put in a lot more research in order to comment.

However I think from the brief bit of reading I have just done that it is a wonderful idea, especially if you are active in the circle. I would love to attend an alternative wedding, I too would research and want to be supportive of the couple declaring their attachment to each other in what ever way they wished of me.xx

Rags; there is alot to research here; if you did actually want to learn what we're jabbering about, i can send you a few useful websites.
Thankyou for your comments, both of you.Blessed Be. <3 x

thats such a good price forall that !! (i think)

mitch; think about how much it costs to have a traditional chruch wedding, just for the registar, the vicar etc; good price, or what!? :D <3 x