The Ultimate Guide to Handtying
Celebrant Handtying Ritual
Over the years I’ve curated many beautiful wedding ceremonies across West Yorkshire and beyond. My wedding ceremonies are elegant with a modern twist - designed to celebrate your love story and delivered in a way that feels intimate, romantic and deeply symbolic.
Amongst the many symbolic rituals I incorporate to ensure my wedding ceremonies feel fresh and joyful, handtying/handfasting remains one of my favourite.
Handfasting involves tying a couples hands together at a significant moment within their wedding ceremony with handfasting cords or ribbons to symbolise their commitment to one another and their union. Like many other beautiful symbolic rituals, handfasting/handtying is an incredible way to add sentiment to your wedding ceremony. It’s a beautiful and memorable ritual.
The Origins of Handfasting
Handfasting can be traced back to ancient Celtic traditions, where couples would publicly declare their intention to marry by binding their hands together with ribbons or cords. Originally, it was a form of betrothal or temporary marriage, where a couple’s hands were bound together as a representation of their commitment to one another, whether for a year and a day (a trial marriage) or as a binding contract before an official ceremony-leading to the well known term, ‘tying the knot.’
Over the years, handfasting has evolved and adapted to different cultures and beliefs, and today it remains a cherished ceremony in many modern celebrant weddings.
Handtying is simply a modern-day interpretation of handfasting and whilst it is a little simpler than handtying, it remains just as symbolic.
The Modern day symbolism of Handtying
If you’re looking for a way to honour your Celtic roots but desire an enhancement to your ceremony which is in keeping with your modern, fresh and fun personalities, then you might consider handtying as the ritual for you. Like Handfasting, Handtying honours the same sentiments for your special day:
Unity and Connection: Handtying serves as a beautiful representation of your desire for unity and connection. As your hands are gently tied together, you symbolise the coming together of your shared values, beliefs and passions. It is a powerful visual reminder of the shared journey you face together; your desire to face all of life’s challenges as a team.
Commitment: The act of handtying symbolises a deep commitment between you both. By intertwining your hands, you are expressing your willingness to support and care for one another throughout your lives. The cords or ribbons used in the ceremony serve as a physical reminder of this sacred bond, one that can be cherished long after the wedding day.
Infinite Love and Infinite Time: Handtying can also represent the timeless nature of love. As the cords are tied, they form an infinite knot, signifying the fact your love knows no bounds and endures beyond the constraints of time. It is a powerful symbol of everlasting love and a testament to the enduring commitment the couple shares.
Handtying and Celebrant Weddings
Today, handtying has become a ritual easily customised so that couples can adapt it to suit their preferences and beliefs. Here are some ways to incorporate handtying into a modern wedding:
Choose Meaningful Materials: Consider selecting cords or ribbons that hold significance for you and your partner. They can represent your heritage, favourite colours, or even incorporate elements that hold personal meaning, such as fabric from a cherished garment or a family heirloom.
Personalise the handtying Ceremony: Work closely with me to create a handfasting ceremony that aligns with your values and desires. Customise you handtying with significant readings, poetry or blessings that resonate with you as a couple. Consider a beautiful piece of music to accompany the ritual and amplify the sentiment and emotion of this beautiful act.
Involve Loved Ones: Handfasting can be a beautiful way to involve loved ones in your ceremony. Consider inviting family members or close friends to participate by assisting in the tying of the cords or offering blessings and well-wishes. Their involvement adds an extra layer of warmth and support to the ceremony.
Handtying at a Vow Renewal Ceremony
Handtying is a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate your vow renewal or significant wedding anniversary, especially in a celebrant-led ceremony.
For a vow renewal or anniversary, it offers a poignant way to acknowledge the journey you have travelled together, celebrating your love which has endured the passage of time and your bond which continues to grow.
At a vow renewal, using handtying cords is an excellent way to involve children within the ceremony -to honour the way they have supported your marriage-and to celebrate step children and blended families.
For more information on my services as a wedding celebrant and to discover how I can curate a ceremony which feels deeply personal and intimate, please do get in touch.
I am based outside of Leeds but cover all of the Yorkshire region and beyond.
I offer a no-obligation discovery call where we can sit and chat through your ideas and vision for your big day and talk through my services in more detail.
