Handfasting?

twinoaks207

twinoaks207

Having Fun!
Anybody out there know anything about handfasting? Cousin of mine that I haven't seen in years is getting married and they are having a handfasting ceremony. I had heard of it but only in a historical context. Anyone familiar with modern use?

TIA!
 
kwillia

kwillia

n/a
Hmmm... when I read "handfasting" all I can think of is him having to stop dating "Rosie Palmer" and save himself for his honeymoon night...:shrug:
 
twinoaks207

twinoaks207

Having Fun!
kwillia said:
Hmmm... when I read "handfasting" all I can think of is him having to stop dating "Rosie Palmer" and save himself for his honeymoon night...:shrug:
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:roflmao:

I did find this when I google searched, but as far as I know, this is a definite first in the family (and no, it's not a same sex deal -- there is one of each). I was just curious if anyone else had encountered this recently (like in this century).
 
RPMDAD

RPMDAD

Well-Known Member
Twin, have never heard of it before your post, don't get me wrong i am not saying anything bad nor do i mean any disrespect to your family but sounds a little hinky to me, almost like a trial marriage the link references Scotland.
" "It was an ancient custom in the Isles that a man take a maid as his wife and keep her for the space of a year without marrying her; and if she pleased him all the while, he married her at the end of the year and legitimatised her children; but if he did not love her, he returned her to her parents."
" In the present day, some Neopagans practice this ritual. The marriage vows taken may be for "a year and a day," a lifetime, "for all of eternity" or "for as long as love shall last." Whether the ceremony is legal, or a private spiritual commitment, is up to the couple."

Taken from

Handfasting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
twinoaks207

twinoaks207

Having Fun!
RPMDAD said:
Twin, have never heard of it before your post, don't get me wrong i am not saying anything bad nor do i mean any disrespect to your family but sounds a little hinky to me, almost like a trial marriage the link references Scotland.
" "It was an ancient custom in the Isles that a man take a maid as his wife and keep her for the space of a year without marrying her; and if she pleased him all the while, he married her at the end of the year and legitimatised her children; but if he did not love her, he returned her to her parents."
" In the present day, some Neopagans practice this ritual. The marriage vows taken may be for "a year and a day," a lifetime, "for all of eternity" or "for as long as love shall last." Whether the ceremony is legal, or a private spiritual commitment, is up to the couple."

Taken from

Handfasting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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No offense taken. I, too, found it to be somewhat odd. As I said, haven't seen this cousin in years. I'm wondering if his intended might be a Wiccan... Mom is scandalized that the wedding invitation is an e-vite! :lol:
 
Bann

Bann

Doris Day meets Lady Gaga
PREMO Member
twinoaks207 said:
No offense taken. I, too, found it to be somewhat odd. As I said, haven't seen this cousin in years. I'm wondering if his intended might be a Wiccan... Mom is scandalized that the wedding invitation is an e-vite! :lol:
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:jet:

I had never heard of it before, either. Though, from the two references site, it sounds like they could be Wiccan or something simliar.
 
wickedtonia

wickedtonia

New Member
I've seen it done in the past year actually. It may be more traditional (kind of like that link that was posted) or if it's a typical wedding with handfasting included, it may be that the immediate (or more) family and bridal party will each bring up a ribbon and loosely tie the couples hands together. The person presiding then says a few words about it and then has the couple remove their hands so that they can keep the knot of ribbons as a kind of keepsake that their friends and family blessed the union as well. At least that's what the ceremony I attended was like. Hope it helps.
 
drivingdaisy

drivingdaisy

New Member
I've heard of it in a fiction book I read one time. It would be a neat part of the ceremony if either of the bride or groom has irish heritage. I'm curious if it will be just a handfasting or a handfasting and a marriage. Let us know how this turns out.
 
pelers

pelers

Active Member
You could just ask your cousin :) That will get you a definite answer! I wouldn't imagine they'd be offended by somebody asking what exactly goes on in a handfasting, especially since there are so many different types.
 
libertytyranny

libertytyranny

Dream Stealer
wickedtonia said:
I've seen it done in the past year actually. It may be more traditional (kind of like that link that was posted) or if it's a typical wedding with handfasting included, it may be that the immediate (or more) family and bridal party will each bring up a ribbon and loosely tie the couples hands together. The person presiding then says a few words about it and then has the couple remove their hands so that they can keep the knot of ribbons as a kind of keepsake that their friends and family blessed the union as well. At least that's what the ceremony I attended was like. Hope it helps.
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That sounds kinda sweet..would be neat for a blended family with kids from previous relationships and such. Seems to be celtic...they do love their knots :killingme
 
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BOP

BOP

Well-Known Member
Kris10 said:
Exactly what I thought :lmao:
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It's the womens on here that have their minds in the gutter, not the men. What's up with that?



PS: Mrs BOP and I handfasted going on 20 years ago. We did it for a year and a day, then renewed for a year and a day, then renewed until death do us part, and all that. All three times it was a wonderful ceremony, with family and friends witnessing and participating.
 
twinoaks207

twinoaks207

Having Fun!
BOP said:
It's the womens on here that have their minds in the gutter, not the men. What's up with that?



PS: Mrs BOP and I handfasted going on 20 years ago. We did it for a year and a day, then renewed for a year and a day, then renewed until death do us part, and all that. All three times it was a wonderful ceremony, with family and friends witnessing and participating.
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Beautiful! My I ask what prompted you both to choose handfasting? Was it heritage, something you witnessed, something you read about, etc. I am very curious about the custom as up until this point, I was not aware that it was still being practiced. (Ignorance in the pure sense of the word...)

I'll have to write & ask my Aunt about why my cousin chose this custom as I haven't talked to him since we were both children (eons ago!).
 
VenusDoom

VenusDoom

Rock Star
twinoaks207 said:
Anybody out there know anything about handfasting? Cousin of mine that I haven't seen in years is getting married and they are having a handfasting ceremony. I had heard of it but only in a historical context. Anyone familiar with modern use?

TIA!
Click to expand...

My best friend is having it done at her ceremony on Saturday. It's popular in pagan traditions, but is also present in mixed ceremonies. Essentially, it is another symbolic way of showing that two people are joined together as one, and the cord they are fastened together with remains as a keepsake and should only be destroyed if the marriage becomes null and void. Typically, the couple makes the cord, or they have a beloved and trusted family friend who will only make the cord with the purest of intentions.
 
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