Rites of Marriage and Handfasting
The Rite of Marriage as an expression of love - and commitment to that love - can be the most beautiful day in a person's life. Some of us spend months and months organizing every last detail of the day: cake to dresses, the venue, flowers, champagne, the cars.
... let yourself imagine ... what would your wedding day look like, where would it be, in forest glade, on sandy shore ... what would you be wearing, bride's maids, silk, velvet, lace ... Is there music, harp-song, flutes, pipes and laughter, fiddles and drums, dancing ...
In many ways the great advantage of the Druid or Pagan ceremony of marriage is that it can be adapted to the dreams, visions and desires of the couple. For many celebrants, the key part of their role is to guide the couple into manifesting these dreams ... And what of the rite itself? Some want a ritual that is affirmed by its formality, finding clarity in a script and form that has been agreed; others would rather a ceremony that is more gently fluid, adlibbed with the tides of the day, sprinkled with laughter.
These pages will develop gradually as a resource for those searching within the Druid tradition for guidance around this special day: robe makers, celebrants, ritual ideas, florists, photographers and more. We'll also be exploring the point of having a rite at all ...
If you have anything you'd like to contribute, please let us know, sending ideas to Rites at Druid Network.
Articles
A Rite of Renewal : remembering marriage vows made at Stonehenge by Chrissie Rayner
Rituals
Handfasting for non-Pagans, by Potia
Rite of Marriage including notes, by Emma Restall Orr
Scottish Celtic Handfasting for legal ceremonies, by Siusaidh Ceanadach (pdf)
Heathen Handfasting by Geoff Blenkinsop