Your wedding day is a celebration of love, unity, and the profound connection you share with your partner. As couples seek to infuse their ceremonies with personal meaning and unique traditions, one ancient ritual has seen a resurgence in popularity: handfasting. A symbolic act of binding hands, handfasting is a beautiful way to honor the bond between two individuals. In this blog post, we'll explore the ins and outs of handfasting, address common FAQs, and guide you on how to incorporate this timeless tradition into your wedding ceremony with the help of Provenance.co's digital Ceremony Builder. So, let's embark on a journey through the enchanting world of handfasting!
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Have you ever wondered about the origins of the phrase "to tie the knot" when talking about getting married? It turns out this saying comes from an ancient custom known as handfasting. The same is true for the phrase, "bonds of matrimony." This tying together of the bride and groom's hands (wrists) was how couples in Great Britain pledged their betrothal in front of witnesses in ages past. Today it is a popular addition to traditional weddings for couples looking to add a strong cultural or historical element to incorporate in their ceremony. Handfasting goes back to Greece and Rome The practice of handfasting was originally practiced by the Greeks and Romans. In the Roman celebration, a garland was fashioned from magnolias, elder and roses which they used to wrap around the couple's wrists. This practice was thought to represent love and fidelity. Handfasting common tradition in Ireland and Scotland The handfasting ceremony became especially common in Ireland and Scotland and turned out to be the way couples were "officially" married in the times before the church became involved in performing weddings and makes a popular choice for couples who choose a medieval theme or fantasy theme for their wedding. Divinity Braid Wedding Handfasting Cord Handfasting today Today, many people consider handfasting a strictly pagan custom often used in non-traditional marriages, but really it is a wedding ritual that can easily be incorporated into a traditional wedding while exchanging vows. In fact, it's a meaningful ritual that makes a perfect choice for couples looking to incorporate a visual that symbolizes their love, and for those of Scottish or Irish decent it is an opportunity to add a nice historical tie to their roots. Traditionally silk cords are used in handfasting, but today some people use something that adds a personal touch meaningful to them. This might include cloth strips or one large piece of cloth made from something that holds special significance, like a piece of a mother or grandmother's wedding dress. Others choose several ribbons or a number of different colors with each color representing a different meaning. Whatever you choose to use to tie the knot, this timeless tradition symbolizes the union of two people and their willingness to spend the rest of their lives together. And while the practice itself is an ancient tradition, today couples can find many different versions to choose from whether it is for a wedding or a renewal of vows. * * * Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites. Thanks so much for being part of our success. Photo credits: Lord and Lady Glendale, wikimedia, wikimedia,
Different styles of knots are a great way to imbue your handfasting cord with meaning and contribute to telling the story of your love This post will explore different knots used in handfasting cords, their meanings and the Celtic numerology behind them, and how they might be incorporated
A guide to Handfasting cord colours meaning and symbolism. How to choose your handfasting cords or ribbons and how many to choose.
The handfasting wedding ceremony is rich with symbolism and fluid enough for couples to make their own when incorporating it into their special day. Even the material used for the binding means something. Ribbons are delicate while cords are a symbol of strength, and for couples choosing to use multiple colors, each color brings with it another symbolic meaning adding yet another special layer to the vows being exchanged. Meaning of colors for handfasting cords Like I said, handfasting is a fluid ritual. It doesn’t have a hard and fast traditional practice to be followed. For instance, there isn’t a specific number of cords or ribbons to be used. And as far as the material that too is flexible, but avoid waxed cords because they aren't flexible. The ancient Romans didn't use cords or ribbons but fashioned their handfasting ties from magnolias, elder and roses. Today, most couples choose colored ribbons or cords with each color holding a symbolic meaning. Some couples then braid the cords or ribbons together. Ribbons offer a wide variety of colors to choose from. But as for the meanings, they too seem to be fluid, not in everyone’s mind, but in general, various meanings are afforded each color: Black: pure love, wisdom, success, strength Blue: fidelity, longevity, strength, safe journey Brown: Nurturing, home and hearth, healing Gold: wisdom, prosperity, longevity Gray: balance, neutrality Green: fertility and growth, love, luck, prosperity, nurturing Orange: kindness, encouragement, adaptability, attraction Pink: love, happiness, unity, romance, honor, truth Purple: spiritual strength, power, health, healing Red: passion, love, courage, strength, health, vigor Silver: protection, inspiration and vision, creativity White: purity, serenity, peace, truth, devotion Yellow: harmony, balance, attraction confidence How long should handfasting cords be? One more thing worth mentioning as long as we are talking about handfasting cords is their length. No matter what material you choose for your handfasting, plan to cut the ties to be about a yard long. A little shorter can work, but be careful not to make them too short so that you run out of cord during the handfasting as your taking your vows! And remember, when you braid, that will make them shorter. If you don’t want to go with these meanings and rather choose colors that complement the theme of your wedding, you’re free to do that too. That’s the nice thing about this wedding tradition. It’s rich in meaning and symbolism on so many levels that it is easy to tweak and make it your own and yet still mean so much. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites. Thanks so much for being part of our success. Photo credits: wikimedia
Are you looking for wedding ceremony ideas? Find out what a handfasting ceremony is as well as how to recreate one for your wedding ceremony.
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As an engagement and wedding photographer, I’ve witnessed countless beautiful ceremonies and unique wedding traditions. Now that I’m engaged and starting to plan my own wedding, I’m excited to explore and incorporate some of these special elements into our big day. One tradition we are seriously considering is a Handfasting Ceremony. What is a Handfasting […]
Are you looking for wedding ceremony ideas? Find out what a handfasting ceremony is as well as how to recreate one for your wedding ceremony.
Creative Wedding Ideas and Event Design
Traditional handfasting ribbon in JOHNSTONE ANCIENT tartan. A Celtic tradition to "tie the knot" at a wedding ceremony. This is manufactured by hand using the finest 100% wool fabric with hemmed edges, centred and finished to points. The dimensions are approximately 70mm x 1700mm long Manufactured in the UK
Over the weekend I found myself in need of a white belt and thought of all the rope belts I've been seeing around lately. Originally I want to make a belt with a big figure eight knot in the front but the rope I had was not thick eoungh for it so I came up with my own. All you need to make this is some rope. Cut 3 pieces of rope each long enough to wrap around your waist twice plus a few extra inches so you have enough to tie it with a bit left to hanging. Fold the 3 pieces in half and tape down. Divide the the rope into 3 strands to braid, with each strand having 2 pieces of rope Start braiding leaving a small loop at the top for the knot to fit though Once you have it braided to your desired length tie a knot at the bottom. Leave a bit of rope to hang and cut the rest off. That's it put it on and pull the knot threw the loop, adjust by pulling tighter. There you have it! Happy Tuesday!!
I get a lot of questions about what a handfasting ceremony looks like, so over the next few posts I would like to set out some ideas that may inspire you. As always, I will begin with a disclaimer: handfasting as a tradition is very old – so old in fact that we don’t know exactly when it originated
