The pagan wedding ritual explained (a bit!)

Before we give you a history lesson, let us reassure you that you don't have to think of yourself as a "Pagan" to use our service! In our experience, couples expressing a wish to have a marriage ceremony performed by us often don't identify themselves with any named religion, instead many just have an affinity with nature, or consider themselves to be more spiritual than religious, or think of themselves as agnostics - what they do have in common is that they are seeking something with a bit more depth than a civil ceremony with a Registrar, but without wanting to take the route of a conventional church wedding. So, if you are looking for a religious Celebrant in order to enable you to get married in a non-licensed venue, we may be able to help. Please also note that your ritual does not have to include any of the customs described here, it can be as simple as you wish, but, whatever your choice, all our wedding rituals are fully legal if required.

Traditionally, Pagan weddings were, and still are, often called "handfastings", and both Celtic and northern strands of Paganism claim roots for these types of marriage ceremony. The word "handfasting" possibly derives from "hand-festa" which means "to strike a bargain by joining hands", and therefore may not have originally applied exclusively to marriage "agreements". A handfasting ritual often included the practice of the couple grasping each other's hands, sometimes through a stone with a natural hole (as at the Odin Stone, Stenness), and then having their held hands lightly bound. Some traditions state that this should be with a red cord but nowadays the couple can choose the colour(s) of the cords or ribbons they use, perhaps to represent themselves or the "blessings" they wish to bring to the marriage. Alternatively, or in addition, couples can exchange traditional wedding rings.

In the past, couples had a choice about how long their handfasting would last: "a year and a day", "as long as love shall last", "this lifetime", or "all lives to come". The first of these options led to handfastings being known as "trial marriages".

Often "handfastings" take place within a cast circle, where sacred space "between worlds" is created for the duration of the ritual. For this purpose we can provide ritual swords, staffs, wands and athames, to your preference - and we have established good relationships with our local constabulary to avoid any embarrassing legal repercussions from waving sharp objects around! Another aspect of a handfasting that is traditionally incorporated in the ceremony is the practice of the couple jumping over a broomstick together after they have taken their vows. The broomstick may represent the couple's home and, more specifically, their hearth fire at the heart of their home. This custom may have African-American and Romani origins, although the Welsh had "priodas wes ysgub" - "broomstick weddings". This may symbolise the "leap of faith" which the couple are taking as they start their new life together. Again, we can provide a traditional besom for this purpose, if you require one.

You and your guests can wear whatever you want during your ritual, whether that is traditional formal wedding attire, ceremonial robes, or themed costumes. Likewise, as your Celebrants, we can wear formal "business suits" or ceremonial robes, according to your preferences.

Although modern Pagans might still refer to their wedding as a handfasting, these days Pagan weddings have no set format; rituals can be conducted within the carefully cast circle of the magick worker, or without grandeur around a shamanic hearth, or simply in a beautiful place which reflects the love you have for each other. As such, a modern Pagan wedding can provide the ideal choice for couples who want a wedding that is designed to their own specific tastes and spiritual beliefs. Your ritual can be from any path of modern Paganism and can include themes of your choice. It is equally acceptable for couples to amalgamate themes from a number of paths, your own individual paths, or even none.

The photographs on this site are of our own wedding in 2008, with Louise Park officiating and Suzi Lee as photographer.