Hand Fasting
There is some dispute as to the origins of this ancient ritual. Some argue that it’s Celtic, involving binding the bride and groom’s right hands together so their pulse points are touching as one. Others claim it is from late medieval times, deriving from the Old Norse: hand-festa, which means to strike a bargain by joining hands. Similarly, this ritual involves binding the bride and groom’s right hands together.
Couples can use any material for the actual binding. For example, avid sailors, Paul and Melissa decided to use a rope to bind their hands with an anchor on one end to symbolise their relationship holding steady and afloat on the other end to symbolise them keeping each other afloat.
This couple, Tali and Matthew, chose coloured ribbon, plaited together. Tali estimates it took approximately 8 metres of ribbon to create the 5 metre cord.
Here is their mini ceremony:
Matthew and Tali have chosen to incorporate the ancient old Pagan ritual of hand fasting in their wedding ceremony today. Hand fasting is a declaration of intent where the couple will bind their hands together while clearly stating that they are marrying of their own free will.
Matthew please take Tali’s left hand in yours, wrists touching.
The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union and will cross the years and lives of each soul’s growth. Do you seek to enter this ceremony?
Matthew and Tali: We do.
(Ribbon is placed over the held hands)
Will you share in each other’s laughter and look for the brightness and the positive in all things?
We will
And so the binding is made. (Ribbon is wrapped around hands)
Will you share in each other’s burdens so that your spirits may grow in this union?
We will
And so the binding is made. (Ribbon is wrapped around hands)
Will you love, nurture and guide both Will and River through their lives, allowing them to grow into the amazing people they will become?
We will
And so the binding is made. (Ribbon is wrapped around hands)
Will you celebrate each other’s triumphs and successes and support each other’s dreams and aspirations?
We will
And so the binding is made. (Ribbon is wrapped around hands)
When you falter, will you have the courage and commitment to remember these promises and take a step back towards one another with an open heart??
We will
And so the binding is made. (Ribbon is wrapped around hands)
And as the years pass and your hands become aged and wrinkled, will you reach out and be there for each other?
We Will
And so the binding is made. (Ribbon is wrapped around hands)
Matthew and Tali, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. The bond of marriage is not formed by these cords, but rather by the vows you have made. For always you hold in your own hands the fate of this union. Above you are stars and below you is earth. Like stars, your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, the ground from which to grow.
May these hands be blessed this day. May they always hold each other. May they have the strength to hang on during the storms of stress and the dark of frustration. May they remain tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. May they build a relationship founded on love, and rich in caring. May these hands be healer, protector, shelter, and guide for each other.
The role already taken by the song your hearts share shall be now be strengthened by the vows you take. All things of the material world eventually return to the Earth unlike the bond and the connection your spirits share.
