Celtic Wedding Pagan Handfasting
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A Celtic Wedding or Pagan Hand fasting is a ceremony designed to celebrate your marriage, partnership or relationship.
Many couples are choosing to celebrate this way as it allows them the choice and freedom to be part of designing their own ceremony, to make it meaningful and unique to themselves. These ceremonies are suitable for couples in second relationships, for renewal of vows, LGBT couples and for couples of different birth religions. Legal solemnising service also available. |
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Celtic Wedding Pagan Handfasting Ceremony Outline
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Blessor
The Ard Druí will hold the role of facilitator and master of ceremonies and on occasion; a second Ard Druí (man and/or woman) may assist – both will be dressed in traditional Cotúns as these are our Celtic Druid robes. Rehearsal Timing Everyone is to meet before the appointed time for the ceremony for a rehearsal. This means the couple and men and the ladies who have responsibility in the ceremony. Professional musicians may arrive half an hour before the actual ceremony. |
Handfasting Cords Available here
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Venue
The ceremony of handfasting may take place at any safe outdoor location, and we advise couples to always book a room that is hired as a standby in case of inclement weather. A very simple altar will be made if the ceremony is to be indoors or outdoors. Here at Castlerea in Co Roscommon we can offer the use of our wooden roundhouse Celtic Druid Temple, our private outside ceremonial enclosure and our Hemp Hall in the main building giving you a choice of secure indoor weather proof locations for your ceremony. Overview of Ceremony Duration
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Detailed below is the basic format for all Celtic Wedding Pagan Handfasting ceremonies. It may be modified to suit your individual occasion and preferences. Once you decide that you would like to have a Celtic Wedding Pagan Handfasting facilitated by an Ard Druí from Celtic Druid Temple you can contact us by email and we will email you back as per our planning guidelines here.
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Entrance and calling
The Ard Druí will conduct a space clearing before the ceremony begins. The couple enter separately, one inviting the other to enter the ceremonial space. Each will have a symbol of their union handed to them. We suggest a sword and a drinking horn filled with mead / wine / beer / water. Being at peace before the union
This is the time of quietness - of just being quiet This shows that there is no hurry or duress. The Drinking Horn will be lowered and with a gesture from the Ard Druí the the Sword tip will be dipped into the Drinking Horn for a moment symbolising the silent agreement of union |
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Celtic Druids Cross of Light.
The Ard Druí facilitator will perform the Celtic Druid's Cross of Light and give the Blessing to the Three Realms which connect us to the Sky, Sea and Land. This is explained and demonstrated by the Ard Druí and the whole group can perform it, if so wished. It is a series of movements coordinated with the breath and some Irish words. It's focus is to harmonise and energize the aura of the person/group performing it and sends a blessing to the three realms of Sky, Sea and Land. This is how we start all of our ceremonies. |
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Beginning the Ceremony The start of the actual ceremony will be announced and a call sent out for a friend or family member from each side to enter the circle to say a few words about each of the couple. If any member of either party wishes to read a short story or poem this is the time set for it. Instrumental acoustic music can be played. The Ard Druí will ask all to remember those who have passed on and to share a moment for those little ones who have just joined us. A friend or family member may give a short reading for special intentions or to recognise our blessings. |
Preparing for the Vows Before the vows are said the Ard Druí will share some thoughts on what it means to be Pagan and also on the meaning of a Celtic Marriage / Pagan Handfasting as a partnership. |
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Securing the Vows
The Ard Druí will now lightly tie the cloth ribbons or handfasting cords over the pair of joined hands to the sound of gentle acoustic music. A Celtic Druids Blessing The Ard Druí now offers a triple blessing for this Relationship. The Handfasting Knot is tied The Ard Druí will now untie the joined hands and tie one ribbon onto each of the couple's wrist. If the couple choose to exchange rings, this may take place now. The ribbons will be kept on the hand until the morning sunrise and smile. |
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Closing and Celebration
If using the Drinking Horn the couple can now share a drink together from the same cup. Now the group will have the appointed person pop open the champagne / wine / mead / beer / water for a toast by the friends / family of the couple. the ceremony is considered complete when the couple leave the circle.
Copyright Celtic Druid Temple © 2013. May not be used without permission.
If using the Drinking Horn the couple can now share a drink together from the same cup. Now the group will have the appointed person pop open the champagne / wine / mead / beer / water for a toast by the friends / family of the couple. the ceremony is considered complete when the couple leave the circle.
Copyright Celtic Druid Temple © 2013. May not be used without permission.
Find out more about Handfasting Ceremonies
Testimonials
....The vows we took were deeply meaningful as we made them by the Sun and Moon in the presence of the God and Goddess. Soft black and white linen ribbons tied our hands together while family and friends looked on.......... |
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