Handfasting Ceremonies in Exeter & Devon
Tie the knot – quite literally!
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to symbolise your commitment to each other, incorporating a handfasting into your ceremony could be just what you’re looking for.
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Handfasting is an ancient symbolic ritual in which a couple’s hands are bound together, traditionally with cords or ribbons, to represent their lives and commitments being joined.
And yes – this is where the expression “tying the knot” is thought to come from.
What happens during a handfasting ceremony?
There are lots of different ways to incorporate a handfasting into your wedding ceremony.
You might choose to have your hands bound together while you exchange vows or make promises to each other.
The cords can be chosen in colours that have a particular meaning to you, perhaps representing qualities such as love, friendship, passion, strength or loyalty.
You could also involve family and friends by asking them to place the cords around your hands, with each person making a wish, reading a few words or offering a blessing.
Once the cords have been tied, you can keep them as a lasting reminder of your wedding day.
There isn’t one prescribed way to do it.
That’s one of the things I love about celebrant ceremonies.
Let’s have a chat about your wedding.
You don’t need to have everything worked out before you get in touch.
What does handfasting symbolise?
At its heart, handfasting is about joining two people together.
The cords can represent the different strands of your lives coming together – your past, your present and your future.
You can give the ritual whatever meaning feels right for you.
It can be spiritual, symbolic, romantic or simply a beautiful visual way of expressing the promises you’re making to each other.
You don’t have to follow a particular religion or belief system to include it.
Can we choose our own handfasting cords?
Absolutely.
You might choose colours because they have a particular significance to you, because they match your wedding, or simply because you like them.
You could use ribbons, cords, fabric or something with sentimental value.
Some couples even incorporate fabric from something meaningful – perhaps a family heirloom or a piece of clothing.
I’ll help you decide how you’d like the ritual to work within your ceremony.
Can other people take part?
Yes – and this can be a lovely way of involving people who are important to you.
Parents, children, friends or other family members can each add a cord and make a wish or blessing for your marriage.
It can turn the handfasting into a shared moment rather than something that happens only between the two of you.
Is handfasting legally binding?
No.
A handfasting is a symbolic ritual, not a legal marriage ceremony.
If you’re having a celebrant-led wedding in England and Wales, you’ll still need to complete the legal formalities separately – usually through a register office.
That doesn’t make the handfasting any less meaningful.
The legal bit makes you married.
The handfasting can express what that marriage means to you.
Can we have a handfasting at our wedding?
Handfasting can be incorporated into a wider wedding ceremony alongside vows, ring exchanges, readings, music, family involvement and other traditions.
It can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like.
And it doesn’t have to be the entire ceremony.
For some couples, the handfasting is the central symbolic ritual. For others, it’s one small but meaningful part of a much broader personalised ceremony. At Mansa and Albin’s wedding at Arches Beach, we combined a traditional handfasting with unity candles and a sand ceremony.
Handfasting ceremonies in Exeter & Devon
I’m Julie Fox, an independent wedding celebrant based in Exeter, Devon, and I create completely personalised wedding and vow renewal ceremonies across Devon and beyond.
If you’re considering handfasting, or you’ve discovered the idea and aren’t quite sure how it could work for you, get in touch.
We can talk through your ideas and create something that feels personal, meaningful and completely yours.
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Prefer to talk? Call 07990 592021
