Hand-fasting Wedding History and Traditions

Mens and Woman’s Wedding designs by Celtic Fusion , Photography by Margo Weddings

Celtic Fusion offers authentic high quality Celtic Hand-fasting wedding creations perfectly designed for your special ceremony. Over the years we have received many questions about what exactly a hand-fasting ceremony is, how it is related to weddings, and what the history is. Hand-fasting is an age-old practice that dates back to Scotland and Ireland in 7000 BCE.

We collaborated with Margo Weddings for this Hand-fasting wedding shoot to perfectly capture the magic and Grace of modern hand-fasting ceremony, we love the mood and styling of this shoot which was captured at yeats Tower in Galway, Ireland.

Unity Candles are often used in Celtic hand- fasting Ceremony to symbolically join the couple or families during the ceremony. Two tapered candles, each representing the bride and groom, are placed on either side of a larger pillar candle.

Then the bride and groom each use a taper to light the Unity Candle, the blended flame symbolizing their new life together as one unit.

Tieing the Knot in Hand- Fasting Ceremony, Photography by Margo Weddings.

When two individuals were brought together through marriage, a small piece of cord would be tied around their interlocked hands to symbolise their unity in life thereafter. The practice of handfasting was special in the way that it did not belong to a single religious practice. Pre-christian pagans practiced handfasting in the same way that both protestant and Catholic couples did. Historically, the practice was used to signify a betrothal. After couples were handfasted, they would test their love for one year and one day. After that date, they were acknowledged married under Celtic Law. This was such a significant ritual that the phrase “tying the knot” has been popularised as a result.

In recent years, there has been a revival in interest of ancient practices that were almost forgotten. Many couples now choose to incorporate hand-fasting into wedding ceremonies for a variety of different reasons. For some, it is a way to reconnect with their Irish and Scottish ancestry and to pay homage to the pagan practices of the past. For others, it is a way to tangibly represent what marriage means to them without incorporating religious elements into the ceremony or to feel free to incorporate your individual devotional practice or self expression in to your celebration and unifying of your Love.

Many people choose to have there Hand-fasting Ceremony in an outdoor setting in Nature just as our Ancestors celebrated. Celtic Fusion Handfasting wedding dresses are made from 100% natural Ivory lace and linen fabrics. We use natural tones and raw plant trimmings and ties which give woodland chic and earthy wedding look. Our Mens wear uses linens cotton and Tweed wools in earthen tones which is also perfect for an outdoor or forest ceremony.

All photography pictured is by Margoweddings.com

In collaboration with @jarek.korzeniowski, @asiabitner @orgdecohome

Location @yeatsthoorballylee