What do you think about this for our handfasting ceremony?

Question

I just posted this addition to my wedding page. I'd love to do this ceremony. What do you think? Do you think it's appropriate for a Christian service?

http://www.freewebs.com/tonyaandrob/handfastingceremony.htm

Answer 1

Hey again!

It is definitely appropriate for a Christian service. I know my husband and I had a hand fasting ceremony! Truth is, most people don't even know what it is. They don't even connect it to the pagan or Celtic roots. We chose to use it also. I know you've seen my website before, but look under the wedding readings section. You might try using the 'Blessing of the Hands.' For us, it seemed perfect. There are also pictures of the hand fasting ceremony during the ceremony if you want to check it out. I like your reading, but, for me, nothing beats the 'Blessing of the Hands.' Its just so beautiful. Good luck! Trust me, as long as you incorporate God, no one will care about its pagan roots. During our hand fasting vows, our officiant made it clear that it was representing the unity of me, my husband, and God in our union. Everyone loved it! They said it was so unique and something they've never seen before. But thats exactly what we did, with red, black, and white. We each made our own. We also had them blessed before the ceremony.

www.freewebs.com/steveandmelissa

Answer 2

Whether you do this or not will depend on the officiant you choose.  There are some that will not do any unity ceremony including the Unity candle.  You need to find one that will work with you on this.

Other than that, there is no reason why you can't have this in your ceremony.  These ceremonies are just symbolic, nothing more.  They don't make or break a marriage.

(The original ceremony is the calling of the four winds for a blessing ,which you will not have).

I am doing a Handfasting next month where the couple has chosen the Hand ceremony...... "These are the hands of your best friend. They are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever......."

Answer 3

You know I think that is beautiful.  At first I thought others would think it was a bit pagan (or at very least Celtic) but the words really helped a lot.  I think it's very appropriate.

However the real obstacle in your path is the preacher doing the ceremony.  Many take offense at changes like that.  And while I like the idea of making your own cords based on you--that's a lot of work.  Is your groom arts and crafty?  I can nearly promise you the preacher won't make his own--you'll have to do that for him.  It might be easier just to get a cord (like a curtain tie--those are really soft) in a color that symbolizes you and one that symbolizes him.  I wouldn't include in the program that bit about what each color symbolizes or it will get to be too much.  Especially if you come from a strong Christian background.  

Watch a couple Indian ceremonies.  They do a rope thing and the way they wrap it around is very pretty.  It should happen in your ceremony after everything else--after the exchange of vows--and then rather than have the preacher untie the cords, just leave them loosely draped over the two of you until you exit the church, the same way the unity candle would stay lit throughout the end of the service.