Hand Fasting Ceremony
Hand
fasting ceremony opening logistics
- Background music
- Music changes (this is the
official start of the ceremony)
- Grandparents are ushered in by
groomsmen, best man, or Peter
- Parents are ushered in by
groomsmen, best man, or Peter
- Music changes
- Maid of honor and
Rebecca
s maids enter individually
- Ring barer, and flower children,
and bell ringer enter individually
- Music changes to bridal march
- Rebecca
is escorted in
- Music stops briefly then continues
(low volume) throughout ceremony
This ceremony is
very effective when with smaller number of guests they stand in a circle
around the couple.
Hand
fasting ceremony introduction
Lance: Rebecca
and Peter , it is our joy to witness and celebrate your wedding in a
rich celebration, sustained as we are in the mysterious power of all
creation and whose core is Love.
You come here today
as individuals. You come to become one -- of course not to lose
yourselves, but instead to promise a new life of unity and love.
And we, your family and friends, have gathered here to share in your joy
and to ask the infinite power in creation to bless you. We hold that
marriage is a gift, sealed by an achiest, lasting sacred covenant.
Giving of the Bride & Groom
Who presents this
couple to be married?
Sponsors (may be family, friends, or all): We do.
*Optional recognition of deceased family members
here
*Optional recognition of those who could not
travel here today
First Reading
Memories
Within my book of memories are special
thoughts of you, and all the many nice things you often say and do. As I
turn the pages and recall each single thought, I realize the happiness
that knowing you has brought. There are memories of the times we’ve
shared both bright and gloomy days. There are memories of your kindness
and your friendly thoughtful ways. There are memories of your laughter
and your bright and cheery smile, that add a bright note to each day and
make life more worthwhile. There are memories of the things we planned,
each friendly little chat, when we would get together and just talk of
this and that. And when I recall these memories I go along life’s way,
and find they grow more precious still with every passing day.
*Optional candle lighting here (either Western unity or other
candles) here
*Optional joining of current children to marriage here
Explanation of
Hand fasting Tradition
Rebecca & Peter have chosen a traditional hand fasting ceremony. In
Europe, until the mid 1700’s, few unions were sanctified in a church or
synagogue. Rather, they were celebrated by a simple hand fasting
ceremony in which the two partners joined hands over the village anvil,
in the fields or in the groves of trees. Today, we build upon this
tradition. The couple linked hands, to form an infinity circle,
symbolizing the entirety of the universe as represented in their
relationship.
Peter and Rebecca , please join hands in the infinity circle.
Handfasting/ Vows
Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in
this life you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter
this state of matrimony you should strive to make real, the ideals which
give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution of marriage.
With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only
declaring your intent to be hand fasted before your friends and family,
but you speak that intent also to God. The promises made today and the
ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union; they will cross
the years and lives of each soul's growth.
Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?
Couple: Yes, We Seek to Enter.
Dedication (Blessing) of the Hands
These are the hands
that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a
lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your
eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when
fear or grief racks your mind.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through
difficult times.
These are the hands that will give you support and encourage you to
chase your dreams. Together, everything you wish for can be realized.
Prepare the cords
Back in earlier years, the hands would be bound with whatever was
available - vines, colorful cords, or scarf. Today we will use these
cords to symbolize the binding, or promises.
The first promise (binding)
Peter, Will you be
Rebecca’s faithful partner for life?
Yes
Rebecca, will you be Peter’s
faithful partner for life?
Yes
*To Both*
Will you be each other’s constant friends and one true love?
Both answer: Yes
And so the binding is made.
*First cord is draped across the Rebecca and grooms hands*
The second promise (binding)
Rebecca, do you promise to love
Peter without reservation?
Yes
Peter, do you promise to love Rebecca
without reservation?
Yes
*To Both*
Will both of you stand by one another in sickness and in health, in
plenty and in want?
Both answer: Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Second chord is draped across the couples hands*
The third promise (binding)
Rebecca, will you stand together with
Peter your times of joy and sorrow?
I will
Peter, will you stand together with Rebecca
your times of joy and sorrow?
I will
*To Both*
Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this
union?
Both answer: Yes, we will
And so the binding is made.
*Drape third chord across the couples hands* Rebecca
The forth promise (binding)
Peter will you always
to be open and honest with Rebecca, for as long as you both shall live?
Yes
Rebecca, will you always to be open and honest with
Peter, for as long as you both shall live?
Yes
*To Both*
Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes for this
marriage?
Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fourth chord across the couples hands*
The fifth promise (binding)
Rebecca, Will you honor this man?
I will
Peter, Will you honor this woman?
I will
*To Both*
Will you both seek to cherish and strengthen that honor?
We will
And so the binding is made.
*Drape sixth chord across the couples hands*
Binding of all promises
*Tie chords together while saying:*
The knots of this binding are not formed by these
chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for
as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this
union.
*Once chords are tied together they are removed and placed on altar*
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
Who holds the rings?
Witnesses: We do
(the hold their hands up to display the rings and holds them up to be
blessed )
Let us all bless these rings! These rings are circles, symbols that
remind us of the Sun, and the Earth, and the universe. Symbols of
holiness, of perfection and peace ... that which has no beginning and no
end. And so, in this moment, let us all bring our blessing to these
rings so that they may remain symbols of unity and commitment. Grant
that the love which Rebecca and Peter have for each other now may always
be as unending as these rings.
These are the rings that Rebecca and Peter
will wear for the rest of their lives, that express the love that they
have for one another. Let us take a moment and send our prayers, our
thoughts and our love to these rings, so that as they wear them, they
will carry our love with them as well.
Exchange rings and
state for each, “With this ring, I thee wed, let it ever be a symbol of
my love.”
Optional second reading here.
Optional sharing of a cup of wine here.
Recognition Of
Marriage
Only a couple can seal the promise of a marriage to each other, and only
a couple can bind it. No power vested in me by the state can grant me
the authority to declare what only these two hearts can declare, and
what only these two souls can make real.
And so now, inasmuch as you, Peter, and you, Rebecca, have announced the
truths that are already written in your hearts, and have witnessed the
same in the presence of these, your family and friends, -- we observe
joyfully that you are now husband and wife.
I present to you Mrs. Rebecca
and Mr. Peter Otolle
