Since this is the religion and spirituality place to be, as I was so graciously reminded....
Does anyone here have experience with handfasting? How did it work for you or for someone you know?
We have looked at the pagan marriage rituals and most of them include a handfasting element. As we have already been together three years, I think it would be an interesting experiment.
I really like some of the pagan vows and promises.
(Note: For those not familiar with the term "Pagan", it is distinguished from the term "heathen". "Heathen" refers to anyone who is not the same religion as you. So a Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu etc. - all could call each other a "heathen".
The term "Pagan" refers to European religions that pre-date Christianity - so "Pagan" is considered a religion and those who practice such religion - call themselves "Pagans".
Originally a Celtic tradition, Pagans were often referred to the Irish by the british "back in the day" when the church of England was spreading it's wings.
This was a marriage "contract" and often involve tieing rope or clothe around a couples hands for a ceramony and then sexual intercourse followed later...kind of like your original marriage ceremony, just no priest, just a local official.
Well, most people here are xtian... and I don't see them going to a medieval times "god" board... How relevant is a 1300's wedding ceremony to what people do today?
My open marriage bisexual friends, who of course are still happily married after 15 years (to my knowledge) had a pagan wedding, including the hand-fasting ceremony.
And yep, it was done in full medieval garb, out in the great wide open of a state park.
Without a doubt, it was one of the most memorable weddings I have attended. As we say in Massachusetts, "It was wicked bizzah."
The ceremony itself was lovely. The handfasting was cool, and each recited their own written vows to the other ... none of this 'repeat after me' stuff.
I should also throw in that we had friends have a traditional ceremony, gown, tux, and minister, but they incorporated hand-fasting into their exchange of vows.
snix,,, handfasting is actually part of a Christian sacrament called marriage, most likely originated from celtic traditions as did many traditions in the christian religion. I have personal experience with this, as I am Episcopalian (Christian) and at my marriage ceremony, at my church, our priest did the handfasting ceremony, after the vows...it simply has a symbolic meaning, that two have become one.... he wrapped my husbands and mine hand, in his robe scarf, and then said a blessing.... that's the experience I have with it.
Handfasting and Pagan Marriages 
