"Tying the Knot"

Our ceremony has been put together with much thought by Steve and I. We've gone over books and websites that offer help for people looking to customize their own ceremony. Given that my beliefs are Pagan in nature, and Steve's (while not Pagan) are not "main stream" either, it is important to us that our ceremony be true to us. It's especially true for me, though not so much to Steve, at least from a spiritual perspective. What we're striving for is a balance between what works for me, what works for him, and if we "don't scare the Muggles" in the process that works for all involved.

The ceremony that we've worked out so far is Pagan in style. The act of becoming married in this manner is called Handfasting. For those unfamiliar with the term, here is a short description:

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic Wedding ritual (almost always Pagan or Wiccan) in which the bride's and groom's hands are tied together hence the phrase 'tying the knot'. It was a part of the normal marriage ceremony in the time of the Roman Empire. In the present day, many Neo Pagans (especially Wiccans) practice this ritual. In some cases, it symbolizes the beginning of trial marriage, typically lasting a year and a day; if the proper measures are taken, it can be a legal marriage ceremony.

There is no universal procedure for the ceremony, and the elements included are generally up to the couple being handfasted. A High Priest or High Priestess may officiate, or the couple may conduct the ceremony themselves. Handfasting usually takes place outside, and, like many Wiccan rituals, may be performed skyclad, or nude. In Wicca, the couple often jumps over a broom or, more commonly, a small bonfire to symbolize entering matrimony. Today, many couples opt for a handfasting ceremony in place of, or incorporated into, their wedding." You can read the rest of this entry at Wikipedia.

Our handfasting will be something similar to the weddings you're used to seeing for those non-Pagans attending (no, no one's going to be naked) but very familiar if you are Pagan, or have attended a handfasting before. We are incorporating wording and symbolism that is meaningful to me, while keeping a somewhat familiar structure of a traditional "wedding". It will be our "official" ceremony, and will be completely legal. We are having a close friend of mine perform the ceremony, and a co-worker who is a local judge perform the legal requirements.

A lot of thought and time has gone into crafting a ceremony that works for my needs while making sure our families are as comfortable as possible. If you have questions about our ceremony, or concerns about attending due to your own religious beliefs, feel free to call or email us at any time. We'll be happy to answer your questions. We hope that you are able to join us on this most special of days.