Alyzande Renard

Celtic Wedding Blessing

Jon and Sandy.Our wedding blessing with party for friends and family will be held on 6th August 2005 at Milton Country Park and Milton Community Centre.

In a few weeks time, this page will have lots of photos from the event.

What is a Celtic wedding blessing?

Before Christian marriages, a couple would marry by holding hands and swearing vows of marriage to each other in the common way in the presence of their families and community. The term handfasting originates in the Anglo Saxon word handfaestung which meant the shaking of hands to seal a contract. The handfasting vows are believed literally to be taken before the pre-Christian "Celtic" gods and are therefore very solemn and binding.

Velvetfox and MoonwillowWithin a circle of friends and family, the couple exchange vows, promising to love and honour one another, and may give each other rings or have their hands loosely tied with coloured ribbons. A handfasting usually takes place outdoors and is led by a priest or priestess. During the ceremony, the group stands in a circle around the couple and priestess, who then honours the four airts: earth (north), air (east), fire (south) and water (west). After the hand fasting and vows, the whole group share a token drink of wine or water and bread or cake.

As we were married legally in June 2004, this Celtic wedding ceremony blesses our marriage and is a public renewal of vows.

Photos

Photos: click here and for Quiz answers click here.