Handfasting Ceremony by Shannon Leahy
So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Shannon Leahy put together THE coolest Irish inspired photoshoot ever and we loved it so much, that we’ve asked her to stick around a little bit longer today and share the secrets behind the gorgeous handfasting ceremony. It’s such a lovely tradition and one that I know so many of you will find pretty freaking awesome.
to see more images, click right here! photographs by Larissa Cleveland
A handfasting ceremony is an ancient marriage ritual made popular in Ireland and Scotland during the Early Christian period. This symbolic lashing together of the couple’s hands is the origin of the familiar expression, “tying the knot.” Today, a handfasting ceremony is a beautiful and unique way to represent your union and honor your heritage. The ritual takes place during the ceremony, before the rings are exchanged.
1. Pick ribbons and ropes of varying textures and materials that match the colors of your wedding. If you can, add in pieces that have special significance, like the trim from your grandmother’s wedding gown, or shoelaces from the groom’s ancient pair of chucks. Jewels or gold chains can also be included to add a little bling.
2. Once you’ve collected your materials cut them all to about the same length. 36” – 48” should do the trick.
3. During the ceremony, have the officiant introduce the concept of handfasting so your guests can appreciate its history and significance.
4. Gather the ribbons together neatly and keep them that way while binding, so you end up with a clean, tidy look.
5. Stand facing each other and cross your arms in front of your bodies. Now, hold your partner’s hands so that together your arms create a figure-eight, or the symbol for infinity.
6. While the officiant speaks have someone important to you, maybe your best man or maid of honor, take the ribbon and tie it around your wrists and through your hands to bind the two of you together. Have them finish with a visible knot. Protip: practice this at the rehearsal as it’s kind of tricky!
7. At this point the officiant can say a prayer or you can recite your vows while your hands are tied together.
8. After the ceremony, be sure to keep the ribbons! Find a creative use for them such as a tie for around your guestbook or photo album…
Event Design & Planning: Shannon Leahy / Photography: Larissa Cleveland / Flowers: Shannon Leahy & Anne Millett / Ceremony & Reception Location: Manka’s Boathouse / Invitations & Paper: Mira Aster / Shoes: Steve Madden / Dress: BCBG / Cake: Flours SF / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Tabletop Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Chairs: Blueprint Studios / Models: Erika Schneider and Travis Binen / Hair & Make-up: Ashley Wright
22 Comments about “Handfasting Ceremony by Shannon Leahy”
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I love this! I had been looking for Irish wedding traditions for a while, and I feel that this will do the trick. Thanks!
Wow, this is so great...I definitely had to bookmark this to show my fiance! Love the clean modern feel to the wonderful old tradition, too.
Thanks!
I wish I had known about this ceremony when I got married in Ireland 6 years ago! Beautiful!
Well, I'm not Irish in the least bit (nor is my fiance), but we are looking for a special ritual in our ceremony and this is just beautiful both visually and symbolically. I might have to steal, if the Irish won't mind a German and a Creole using it!
I love it, what a beautiful, tangible expression of two lives coming together!
My fiance is Irish -- what a wonderful ceremony idea, I think we will do it!
My one question: how do you take the ribbons off, without ruining the moment? I assume at some point you untie so that you can walk back down the aisle. :)
Diana feel free to use it! It is definitely not an Irish only tradition. As I know it, the ritual started because officiants of the state only came into town once or twice a year to recognize marriages (this is before the Church) so families used the handfasting ritual in it's place.
Adrienne, great question! The ribbons should be tied loosely enough that simply letting go of your hands will allow them to gracefully slip off and you can hand them to your Maid of Honor/Best Man. Practice at the Rehearsal!
My fiance and I are planning to do this in our ceremony. It was used throughout the Britain, not just Ireland. And I imagine it was used other countries too.
My 8-yr-old niece is a tomboy, so instead of a flower girl she is going to be the ribbon-bearer, and she will bring the ribbons to her mom (my sister-in-law) who got ordained for our wedding.
Adrienne - I think we will carefully slip the ribbons off and have my sister-in-law take them back - if they have their own box, putting them back can even be part of the ceremony.
Wow!!!!!!!!! what an interesting idea. My cousin is being married this year. I am going to forward this to my cousin so that he plan his wedding like this.
I always regret a little that I didn't do this at my wedding. My officiant joked when she first met us that hand-tying and similar ceremonies were cheesy. I was too embarrassed to ask after that, but she was so perfect for everything else. It's a really popular addition to pagan weddings and I think it's so romantic.
Thank you for not trying to make this a Pagan practice as it's so often purported to be.
As others have said, it is a tradition practiced in churches even today. Handfasting is an early Christian tradition of betrothal and marriage that adds an extra something to a ceremony.
I appreciate your accuracy.
It's early Christian AND Pagan, and probably you can find it in other cultures too. Please keep in mind that many early christian traditions were carried over from paganism (ie, Christmas trees!!), and it's the faith YOU as an individual put behind it that gives it meaning.
I love this ritual! My pastor did this for my husband and I. She has a beautiful stole that she wears for special occasions and that is what she used to wrap our hands together. I hope many people find this to be a great tradition!
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Actually, it's a Roman tradition.
I am half Irish so I am having this at my wedding.