These are a time old way of uniting two people and are now becoming more popular. Initially they served as a form of engagement where couples were tied together by woven rope or ribbon at the wrists and pledged to remain together for a year and a day. At the end of this period they could go their separate ways or make more formal lifelong vows.
In modern weddings, a simple Handfasting or tying together of hands is often incorporated similar to exchanging rings. Vows can be spoken, sometimes written by the couple themselves.
In more formal Pagan inspired ceremonies, the Handfasting is the main element of the ritual. The elements are called upon to bless the ritual, the rite is often performed in a circle and the couple asks for blessings from the Elements and the Goddess and the God.
An example of Handfasting vows, not written by Michele Plews.
Celebrant: [Name], will you share in [Name]’s pain and seek to alleviate it?
Response: I will.
Celebrant: [Name], will you share in [Name]’s pain and seek to alleviate it?
Response: I will.
Celebrant: And so the binding is made.
[Name], will you share in [Name]’s laughter and look for the brightness and the positive in her?
Response: I will.
Celebrant: [Name], will you share in [Name]’s laughter and look for the brightness and positive in him?
Response: I will.
Celebrant: And so the binding is made.
[Name], will you share in [Name]’s burdens so that your spirits may grow in this union?
Response: I will.
Celebrant: [Name], will you share in [Name]’s burdens so that your spirits may grow in this union?
Response: I will. And so the binding is made.
Celebrant: [Name], will you share in[Name]’s dreams?
Response: I will.
Celebrant: [Name], will you share in[Name]’s dreams?
Response: I will.
Celebrant: And so the binding is made.
[Name], will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?
Response: I will.
Celebrant: [Name], will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?
Response: I will.
Celebrant: And so the binding is made.
[Name], will you honour [Name] as an equal in this union?
Response: I will.
Celebrant: [Name], will you honor [Name] as an equal in this union?
Response: I will.
Celebrant: And so the binding is made.