Here you will find several different Pagan Handfasting Ceremonies.  More information about designing your own handfasting ceremonies, and legal issues involving them to come at a later date.

If you have a ritual or information you would like to contribute, please contact PrarieWitch at nazca_dsl@hotmail.com

Christian/Pagan Handfasting Ceremony [PRIEST] We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of _____bride_____ and _____groom_____. There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls, has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemtion. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation and the exponent of Earth. If we learn no more in life, let it be this. Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Groom and Bride have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family's blessing. Bride, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord? [BRIDE] Yes, it is true. [PRIEST] With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you. [FATHER] She comes with me, her father, and is accompanied by all of her family's blessings. [PRIEST] Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember... Like a stone should your love be firm like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always. Groom, I have not the right to bind thee to Bride, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand. [GROOM] It is my wish. [PRIEST] Bride, if it be your wish for Groom to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger. (places ring on Groom's left ring finger) Bride I have not the right to bind thee to Groom only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand. [BRIDE] It is my wish. [PRIEST] Groom, if it be your wish for Bride to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger.(places ring on Bride's left ring finger) (to Groom) Repeat after me: I, (grooms full name), in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee (bride's full name) to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself. (to Bride) I (bride's full name), in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, (Groom's full name) to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen one. To desire and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself. [PRIEST] (hands chalice to the groom, saying:) May you drink your fill from the cup of love. (Groom holds chalice to bride while she sips then bride takes chalice and holds it to groom while he sips. The chalice is then handed back to the Priest who sets it on the table. Next the Priest takes the plate of bread, giving it to the groom. Same procedure repeated with bread, groom feeding bride and bride feeding groom.) By the power vested in me by God and the State of _______, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you.

Pagan Ceremony invoking Eros and Aphrodite Preparation Long ribbon or soft rope (~ 3 feet) Vows to exchange (written by the couple) Small gifts (or rings) to be exchanged by the couple. 5 rose candles (Quarter and god candle (god candle can be red)) 1 white candle (Goddess candle) Gifts from the coveners/guests for the couple. Ritual Cast the circle normally. Invoke the Goddess and God normally, or as below. HPriest: We call upon you in the guise of Eros, Kindler of desire, Bringer of love, to join us here and witness the bonding of _____and_____. HPriestess: We call upon you in the guise of Aphrodite, Always desirous one, Sensual lover, to join us here and witness the joining of _____and _____. Grounding meditation. The HPriest and HPriestess motion the two people to be handfasted to join them before the altar. Couple faces the altar. HPriest: (to one of the couple, the female if the couple are of opposite gender) Do you _____join us here of your own free will, to acknowledge before the Lord and Lady the bond that is shared between yourself and _____. Person1: (responds (hopefully this will be a yes :) if not, go to closing). HPriestess asks the other the same thing and gets response. Couple turn to face each other and join their left hands. Each now recites the vows they have prepared. HPriest: (taking the joined left hands, and the rope) Here before witnesses, _____ and _____ have sworn vows to each other. With this cord, I bind them to the vows that they each have made. (wrap the cord loosely around both arms) However this binding is not tied, so that neither is restricted by the other, and the binding is only enforced by both their wills. Couple: (turning to face each other, in unison) Heart to thee, Soul to thee, Body to thee, Forever and always, So mote it be. Coven: So mote it be. Couple unbind thier left arms. Couple exchange the gifts they have brought for each other. Coven members and guests give couple good wishes and/or gifts. Great rite and Cakes and Ale. Bid farewell to God and Goddess as usual, or as below. HPriestess: We thank you Aphrodite, for your presence among us, And as you take your leave, we ask that you leave among us, in each of us, the ability to each be Sensual lover, and desirous one. Hail and farewell. HPriest: We thank you Eros, for your presence here this day, And ask, as you take your leave, that you leave in each of us, the ability to be a Bringer of desire, and kindler of love. Hail and farewell. Dismiss the Quarters, and open the circle. Relax, talk, and party.