Handfasting – an ancient ritual with a modern twist.  

Handfasting is quite popular today, many people find that their own lifestyles call for an alternative joining ceremony then that provided by more typical traditional wedding ceremonies. The couples' right hands are bound together, they take their vows and their hands will then be unbound to symbolize that they remain together of their own free will. Ribbons are used instead of rope, as a symbol. It is often used in Medieval or Renaissance themed weddings.  

[OFFICIANT] Bride, Will you share his laughter?  

[Bride] Yes 

[OFFICIANT] Groom, Will you share her laughter?  

[Groom] Yes  

[OFFICIANT] *To Both* 

Will both of you look for the brightness in life, and the positive in each other?  

[BRIDE & GROOM] Yes 

[OFFICIANT] And so the binding is made. 

*First cord is draped across the bride and grooms hands* 

[OFFICIANT] Groom, Will you cause her pain? 

[Groom] I May  

[OFFICIANT] Is that your intent? 

[Groom] No 

[OFFICIANT] Bride, Will you cause him pain? 

[Bride] I may 

[OFFICIANT] Is that your intent?  

[Bride] No 

[OFFICIANT] *To Both* 

Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?  

[Groom & Bride] Yes 

[OFFICIANT] And so the binding is made. Join your hands 

*Second cord is draped across the bride and grooms hands*  

[OFFICIANT] Bride, Will you burden him?  

[Bride] I may 

[OFFICIANT] Is that your intent?  

[Bride] No 

[OFFICIANT] Groom, Will you burden her?  

[Groom] I may 

[OFFICIANT] Is that your intent?  

[Groom] No 

[OFFICIANT] *To Both* 

Will you share the burdens of each, so that your spirits may grow in this union?  

[BRIDE & GROOM] Yes 

[OFFICIANT] And so the binding is made. 

*Third chord is draped across the couples hands* 

[OFFICIANT] Bride, will you share his dreams?  

[Bride] Yes 

[OFFICIANT] Groom, will you share her dreams?  

[Groom] Yes 

[OFFICIANT] *To Both* 

Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?  

[BRIDE & GROOM] Yes 

[OFFICIANT] And so the binding is made. 

*Fourth chord is draped across the couples hands*  

[OFFICIANT] Groom, will you cause her anger?  

[Groom] I may 

[OFFICIANT] Is that your intent?  

[Groom] No 

[OFFICIANT] Bride, will you cause him anger?  

[Bride] I may 

[OFFICIANT] Is that your intent? 

[Bride] No 

[OFFICIANT] *To Both* 

Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?  

[BRIDE & GROOM] We Will 

[OFFICIANT] And so the binding is made. 

*Fifth chord is draped across the couples hands*  

[OFFICIANT] Bride, Will you honor him? 

[Bride] I will 

[OFFICIANT] Groom, Will you honor her?  

[Groom] I will  

[OFFICIANT] *To Both* 

Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor? 

[BRIDE & GROOM] We shall never do so  

[OFFICIANT] And so the binding is made.  

*Drape sixth chord across the couples hands*  

*Tie chords together while saying:* 

[OFFICIANT] The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.