Handfasting or Wedding?
Is there a difference? Yes and No is the answer but it is not that simple. There is no ancient tradition (i.e. 7000 years ago) or of any actual pre-Christian practice of any actual handfasting known in Ireland. But, the return to the old ways has brought a new custom of handfasting that is often assumed to have its origins in ancient times, even though there is no concrete evidence to support this notion. In 1820, Sir Walter Scott wrote a novel titled ‘The Monastery’ in which a handfasting was detailed. On top of this was rumour, misreporting and romanticisation that has led to the belief that handfasting was a pre-catholic practice. Sir Walter Scott’s fantasy handfasting was supposed to be a trial marriage for a year and a day. Like a get out clause, or a pre nup... But this cannot have been the way of the ancestors because a new house would be built for the couple by the clann, rights and obligations would have been assumed, a dowery would have been in effect and so on. But Scott’s myth was embraced and became the dream option for those who wanted to be a couple without the need for parental approval or waiting for the older sister to get married first etc. These days we get many commercial websites declaring that a handfasting tradition existed over 7000 years ago but no proof is cited.
|
|
|
Weddings, until recently were under the absolute control of the church, but today there are many legal celebrants who are not connected to any church. A full list of solemnisers in Ireland can be found here https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/077ce8-register-of-solemnisers/ Our three registered solemnisers John, Con and Niamh are listed under numbers 5266, 5277 and 5288 and we have been registered and facilitated legal weddings in Ireland since 03/02/2016. The legal aspect of a solemnised wedding or handfasting is the signing of a government issued document by the couple, two witnesses and the solemniser / celebrant. It takes only a few minutes to to sign the document and usually it happens just after the ceremony. But - this has been organised in advance and full details of what needs to be done are here https://www.gov.ie/en/service/ac59d3-get-married-in-ireland/
Note that a couple may choose a handfasting or a wedding and have either solemnised (made legal). This allows the couple to create their own event to suit their desires and the three solemnisers of the Celtic Druid Temple use a pre-designed formula / outline for a wedding / handfasting that gets adapted to suit. It is not the couple that fits the ceremony - it is our ceremony gets adapted to fit your needs. This is usually done a few weeks before the actual event.
|
|
|
We offer options at every stage - handfasting ribbons or rings or both, involvement of children or family / friends in tieing the knot, songs, poems and short speeches too! It is your day - we assist the couple to make it suit you! A handfasting of wedding solemnised by an Ard Drui of the Celtic Druid Temple includes the following script on govt issued wedding certificates: the date of the marriage; location of the ceremony; the couple’s signatures; the witnesses signatures and the signature of the Solemniser and it states that the couple is married according to -
“The Rites of Passage of the Indigenous Wisdom Tradition
of the Celtic Druid Temple”.
“The Rites of Passage of the Indigenous Wisdom Tradition
of the Celtic Druid Temple”.
To us there is no difference between a handfasting and a wedding. We happily use both terms to refer to the same ceremony. Some people use the term handfasting to differentiate from a formal religious wedding of the Catholic or Protestant religions, which is ironic as the actual handfasting element appears to have originated from within the christian wedding traditions.
Quote:
"There are three distinct meanings, and three different eras, for "handfasting":
From the Middle Ages through the early 17th century, something contemporaries called "handfasting" was actually practiced. It was a formal betrothal to be married and occured in a Christian context.
From the late 18th century through the early 20th century, "handfasting" was mistakenly believed to be a kind of trial marriage for a year and a day. No contemporaries practiced it, rather, it was erroneously believed to have been practiced long ago in the past.
From the late 20th century, in addition to many people continuing to mistakenly believe that in the past "handfasting" was a kind of trial marriage for a year and a day, "handfasting" has been used by various Neopagans to refer to their own modern religious practices ranging from temporary unions to legal marriages"
The above quote is from a fascinating and well researched article written by Sharon L. Krossa, PhD, available at this website: medievalscotland.org/history/handfasting.shtml
Quote:
"There are three distinct meanings, and three different eras, for "handfasting":
From the Middle Ages through the early 17th century, something contemporaries called "handfasting" was actually practiced. It was a formal betrothal to be married and occured in a Christian context.
From the late 18th century through the early 20th century, "handfasting" was mistakenly believed to be a kind of trial marriage for a year and a day. No contemporaries practiced it, rather, it was erroneously believed to have been practiced long ago in the past.
From the late 20th century, in addition to many people continuing to mistakenly believe that in the past "handfasting" was a kind of trial marriage for a year and a day, "handfasting" has been used by various Neopagans to refer to their own modern religious practices ranging from temporary unions to legal marriages"
The above quote is from a fascinating and well researched article written by Sharon L. Krossa, PhD, available at this website: medievalscotland.org/history/handfasting.shtml
Historical accuracy is not the driving element of our ceremonies. We honour our ancestors by gathering as family and friends and celebrating our love for each other with Nature as our witness. You can book a handfasting wedding, re commitment or anniversary wedding ceremony with us at this page.