Pagan Handfasting

Many modern couples, especially those who practice Wicca, use handfasting ceremonies to express their commitment.

The tradition of handfasting has a Celtic origin. In a handfasting, the couple's hands are tied together with a red cord or ribbon - the color red symbolizing vitality and passion.

The expression "tying the knot", which is now used to mean "getting married", comes from this ritual.

Because handfasting is a modern revival of an ancient ceremony, there are no hard and fast rules about how a handfasting should be performed. The couple makes its own decisions regarding the details. For example, the couple may conduct the ceremony, or they may ask a Wiccan High Priest or High Priestess to officiate. The handfasting ceremony may be performed in the nude, or "skyclad", in accordance with Wiccan tradition.

As in a traditional wedding, a couple who take part in a handfasting may exchange rings.

These rings often have Celtic designs, to reflect the ceremonies Celtic origins. However, "normal" wedding rings may also be used.

Although the couple may declare their intention to spend their lives together, or even to spend all of eternity together, and to be faithful to one another for that time, they may also commit to a much shorter relationship - one lasting for a year and a day.

A couple who are united in a handfasting may be legally married if they also fulfill the requirements for marriage (such as obtaining a marriage license) in the jurisdiction where the ceremony is performed.

Handparting

If two people who have taken part in a handfasting ceremony later decide to separate, they may participate in a handparting. In this ceremony, which is equivalent to a divorce, the members of the couple may jump over a broomstick, backwards.

Telltown Marriages

The Telltown marriages took place in Telltown, Ireland every year at Sabbat Lughnasadh. All of the unmarried people would get married. They often did not know whom they would be marrying till that very day. These marriages would only last until the following Lughnasadh. The couples could then decide if they wanted to remain together or if they wanted to break up.