Choosing your Handfasting

Same Sex Ceremonies ~ Renewal of Vows/Blessing Ceremonies

Your Handfasting should be a truly magical and romantic experience and we will work closely with you at every step of the way to help your dream come true. It is important that you are fully aware of every aspect of what a Handfasting entails and it is equally important to have your own ideas heard and your requirements met as fully as possible. Remember - this is YOUR day!

We will provide you with a choice of Handfasting ceremonies from which you can choose your favourite. Alternatively, you can write your own, with full support from us. It's important that you feel comfortable at every step of the way. There will be regular meetings between ourselves and the happy couple, making sure we cover everything and that everyone is happy with the proceedings. We even offer a "walk through" service (included in the price) to help you feel more at ease.

The Handfasting

We offer a beautiful and memorable Handfasting service and ceremony, working hard to make this a wonderful experience for both you and your guests. With this in mind we offer three choices of Handfasting. All of the Handfastings include the services of a High Priestess and High Priest officiating over the chosen ceremony, and Pagan Wedding Planners unique services throughout the planning stages and, of course, on the big day itself.

We will supply our own magical working tools for the ceremony - candle sticks, chalice, wand, pentacle, Athame etc. But should you wish to provide a few of your own magical pieces (if you have them) then feel free to do so.

Daisy Handfasting

This is our simplest Handfasting option, but it is by no means lacking in magic and beauty. As with all our Handfastings we are with you every step of the way making sure that we give you the perfect day you dream of.

The beautiful simplicity of the Daisy Handfasting really conjures up the romance of this lovely ceremony. The daisy symbolises:

Innocence

Loyal love

Purity

Love conquering all

We think that the simple daisy is the perfect flower to celebrate this magical and romantic occasion.

With the Daisy Handfasting option you get:

• A free consultation to see if you like us and what we have to offer.
• Our full guidance and expertise every step of the way.
• A choice of scripts and help picking the right one for you.
• Help choosing the right venue.
• An experienced Priest and Priestess to perform the Ceremony.
• A walk through or rehearsal if required.
• We set up the sacred space for the Ceremony and we supply all necessary magical tools and equipment, and, of course, tidy up afterwards!
• A choice of ceremonial wine or non alcoholic beverage.
• Ceremonial cake or bread.

For the couple to keep after the ceremony we supply:

• Handfasting certificate - framed.
• Our own hand blended Handfasting incense.
• Our own hand blended Handfasting oil.
• Elemental candles.
• Handmade silk Handfasting cords used for the ceremony.
• Decorated besom broom.
• Rose quartz crystal.
• Sensual bath salts for the evening.

We aim to take the stress and strain out of organising your big day and to help make it as magical as possible. The Daisy Handfasting is a simple, yet beautiful experience that allows the magic of the day to shine through.

Honeysuckle Handfasting

The Honeysuckle Handfasting is a Handfasting that offers the warmth and beauty of this beautiful flower. This lovely climbing flower fills our gardens with the headiest of smells on those warm summer evenings. Honeysuckle symbolises:

Bonds of love

Devotion

Affection

Generosity

We believe these meanings perfectly complement the nature of a Handfasting Ceremony.

With our Honeysuckle Handfasting you get everything the Daisy Handfasting offers plus:

• A choice of simple flower circlet either in silk or real flowers, or a posy for the Bride.
• A circlet or posy for the bridesmaid.
• 2 button holes, one for the Groom and the other for the best man.
• Handmade silk ring cushion.
• 20 Handfasting invites complementing the honeysuckle theme.
• "What is a Handfasting?" invitation insert to help explain all to your guests.
• 20 wedding favours of your choice (see the Make it Personal section).

We are sure that the Honeysuckle Handfasting will be a wonderful experience. As the honeysuckle embraces all that it touches, so we hope the magic of this lovely ceremony will embrace you and all your guests.

Rose Handfasting

This is our premier Handfasting which combines many different options all brought together to offer the ultimate Handfasting experience.

The rose has long been associated with the language of love. It's beautiful blooms symbolise:

Love

Passion

Perfection

Longevity

This makes the rose the perfect flower for our top Handfasting option.

With our Rose Handfasting you get everything the Daisy and the Honeysuckle Handfasting offer plus:

• 1 hour photography with our own photographer, plus one free framed print of your choice.
• The addition of our lovely Rose Ceremony that compliments the Handfasting script of your choice.
• Two fresh red roses for the Rose Ceremony.
• Our magical and romantic Rose hamper for the honeymoon evening that comprises of:

Wicker basket.

A choice of mead (the traditional Honeymoon drink) or wine or our own Loving Cup.

Rose scented candles.

Hand blended Sensual Massage Oil.

Handmade magical truffles.

Honeymoon charm bag.

With everything that the Rose Handfasting offers you are sure to have that magical day perfect in every way...and the magic continues into your evening when the two of you are alone at last!

Some things to consider...

Traditionally there are several ways in which a couple can "tie the knot". Below are descriptions of each and what they mean both magically and practically.

"A Year and a Day" Ceremony:
It is our experience that many in the first throws of love and passion, newly together but blissfully happy, the most sensible option is to be Handfasted for the traditional year and a day, renewing the vows if it is still desired when the time is up. This gives the couple time to grow with each other and to see if their love will last the distance. In our experience most of our couples have been together for sometime before deciding to get Handfasted and this option is rarely considered.

"As long as love lasts" Ceremony:
If a couple is in a more established relationship then they may not want to bother with the year and day option, but opt for the "as long as love lasts". This means that they will be married in Pagan tradition for as long as they are together and love is shared between them. If love fades they are free to go their separate ways, no longer one bound to the other. This option is our most common option and one that we, as Priestesses and Priests are the most happy to perform.

"For all lifetimes to come" Ceremony:
Sometimes couples will want to be Handfasted for "this lifetime and all others to come". This type of ceremony needs careful consideration! This is a Binding Spell for eternity and often people will not have thought this through! If it is your Soul Path to be together in this life time then so be it, but that does not necessarily mean that this will be the way for you both forever. Being bound together in this way could stop your respective souls from continuing whatever path they have in store - new loves, new experience etc. Also if all goes very wrong in your relationship you may have to replay it life after life! When talking tour couples we try to guide them away from this option explaining why in detail.

The Vows
So, much care should be given when deciding which vows you may wish to make and the wording of them, but we will be with you every step of the way giving you the benefit and advice of all our combined experiences to make this your perfect day and tailored to you individual needs.

Same Sex Ceremonies

We offer beautiful handfasting/bonding ceremonies for Lesbian and Gay couples. We are aware that some couples prefer same sex celebrants to officiate at their ceremony and are happy to offer this. Please contact us to discuss your individual needs.

Renewal of Vows/Blessing Ceremonies

Many couples who have originally married in Church or at the Register Office come to us looking for a way to celebrate their Union in a way that they now feel is more spiritually meaningful to them. A Handfasting Ceremony may not be appropriate for a couple who has already "tied the knot", albeit in a more conventional way, so for them, we suggest a Renewal of Vows Ceremony. This is an equally beautiful ritual with many of the same elements as the Handfasting Ceremonies.