Handfasting at one time was the only way that couples could be engaged and/or get married because the church let the civil government of the period take care of these matters. In the British Isles, Handfasting was the old pagan ritual of marriage. In those times, the couple themselves performed the Handfasting before witnesses. It was also used in Scotland for the engagement period of a year and a day before a wedding was proved.
The very word handfasting got its origin in the wedding custom of tying the bride and groom's hands (actually, wrists) together.
Handfasting is the marriage rite used toady by many Heathens, neo-Pagans and Wiccans. The term itself comes from the custom of shaking hands over a contract. It is a custom steeped in old tradition.

There are probably as many rituals for this as there are people who have joined themselves together.
The hands are generally bound with a sash or cord as part of the ritual.
he shorter Vale Ceremonies Handfasting involves the man and woman placing their right hands only together while a purple satin sash is used to tie a knot around their wrists.
The Handfasting gesture seems to have been derived from one of the ancient Indo-European images of male-female conjunction, the infinity sign, whose twin circles represented the sun (female) and the moon (male) or in some of the southern Mediterranean traditions it was sun (male) and moon (female).

"My Handshake is my word."- Maris

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Unity Candle Ceremony

The lighting of a unity candle is a relatively recent addition to the traditional wedding ceremony. The unity candle ceremony uses two taper candles with a large pillar candle (called the "unity candle") in the center. At the beginning of the wedding ceremony, a representative from each family (usually the mothers of the bride and groom) light the two taper candles. Later in the ceremony (usually after the formal vows), the bride and groom use the two taper candles to light the large pillar (unity) candle together.

Often a unity candle is decorated with the wedding invitation, an inscription, a picture of the couple, or other ornamentation. The candles are almost always white. The lighting ceremony may be accompanied by special music, an explanation of the symbolism, or just some period of mutual gazing by the happy couple. In some circles, it is customary for the couple to save the unity candle and relight it on anniversaries.

It is sometimes performed to symbolize the joining together of the two families, and their love for the bride and the groom, into one united family that loves the new husband and wife. More often it is to symbolise the union of two individuals, becoming one in commitment. The popular explanation is that the taper candles are lit by representatives from each family to symbolize the love and allegiance that each family has for either the bride or the groom. As the bride and groom use these two flames to light the unity candle, they bring the love of both families together in a united love of the new couple. Generally, the two tapers are left burning and replaced in their holders (because each family's love for their own will continue). However, in some ceremonies they may blow out their individual candles.

 When the ceremony is alternatively performed to symbolize simply the joining together of the bride and groom, the tapers may be blown out, to indicate that the two lives have been permanently merged, or they may leave them lit beside the central candle, symbolizing that the now-married partners have not lost their individuality. Another variation is the inclusion of multiple candles for the children from previous relationships. A wonderful way to bring together a 'new family'.

I feel that unity is the key to any partnership."- Maris

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Sand Ceremony

The Sand Ceremony is growing in popularity. Not only does this create a decorative result, it is also much more practical in an outdoor setting where candles can be affected by the natural elements. With the Sand Ceremony, select three decorative glass vases and place one colour of sand into one vase and a second colour into another vase. This is designed to represent the Bride and Groom. At the appropriate point in the service the Groom pours a portion of his sand into the third vase. The Bride then pours a portion of her sand in on top of the Groom’s in the third vase.

 Any children from previous relationships can also be invited to pour their own sand into the central vase.

 To conclude the Bride and the Groom (and children) jointly pour the remaining sand in each of their respective vases into the central vase. The commingling of the coloured sand is an impressive demonstration of two (or many) into one

 A one-of-a-kind Sand Ceremony is a truly great way to symbolise your union. Every ceremony is completely unique due to the pattern that is created as you pour the sand into the central vase.

"The sands blend many lives into one."- Maris

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Runestone Ceremony

Inspired from celtic/pagan tradition and from a time when jewelry was the perview of the rich. To confirm their vows, instead of a ring or rings being given and received, the bride and groom cast a stone each into a nearby river or ocean - thus symbolising their remaining together forever while the tides of time ebbed and flowed over their lives.

In early Australia, convicts and many early settlers could not afford the normal symbolic presentation of rings at a wedding ceremony. This ceremony was substituted in place of a traditonal ring ceremony. Nowadays we can use it as an excellent 'conclusion' to your ceremony.

The substitution of regular stones with their Runic counterparts is intended to symbolise the merging of past cultures, and the joining together of two lives as one.

The use of your own stones or Vale Ceremonies Runestones  symbolises the merging of your  past lives  joining together as one.


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