What is Handfasting?

« Wedding Ritual with Tradition » Handfasting, also known as the binding ritual, is an ancient wedding custom with Celtic origins. Today, it is still gladly integrated as a romantic and loving ceremony into a free wedding ceremony and seals the intimate connection between two people in a particularly beautiful way. We explain how the ritual originated in the lives of the Celts and Vikings, what this tradition of binding hands is all about, and provide tips for designing your wedding ceremony with handfasting. Entering into the Bond of Marriage What is referred to in German-speaking countries as a bond for life is called "tying the knot" in Great Britain. This expression may well come from the ancient tradition of handfasting, in which couples express their love for each other by tightly tying a ribbon around their hands during the wedding ceremony. This wedding custom is still very romantic and symbolic today and has much to do with the conclusion of a contract in terms of its meaning: The Middle High German term "handveste" is not only the predecessor of our term "handfest" for a person who appears robust or a hearty meal, but also stands for a contract to which those involved are firmly bound. At free wedding ceremonies, handfasting is still extremely popular today and is celebrated by many couples alongside the ring warming. History of Handfasting When most people were not yet able to write, marriage was an oral contract. To seal it, a cloth to be knotted was used, on which only the names of bride and groom were written – so to speak, the original form of handfasting. It is a tradition of the Celts, a pagan group that was called infidels by believing Christians. Many wedding couples could not afford wedding rings: they were destitute, and the money for specially forged rings was simply not available. As a substitute, a piece of fabric or – even simpler – a cord was used to seal the marriage vow by tying the hands together. The cloth was then as visible as unaffordable rings and served as proof of marriage. It is possible that even among the Christian population of that time, there were people who used the actually pagan-Celtic ritual of handfasting at their wedding. From very simple cloths, which were often chosen in red, the fabric used developed further over the centuries. Embroidery, sewn-on symbols, patterns attributable to a clan, and other decorations created elaborate ribbons that gradually increased in value. The names of both partners were never missing, and a figure-eight lying on its side as a symbol of the infinite bond of love was included in most cases. Basic Principle with Variations Those who today decide to follow the custom of handfasting as part of a (usually free) wedding ceremony – whether at a Viking wedding or a wedding with another theme – have different options to design this beautiful ritual in a very individual and personal way. Many free celebrants are familiar with the tradition of the binding ritual and are happy to advise the future bride and groom with questions – creativity is definitely welcome! However the knot is tied during handfasting – one thing is always the same during the wedding ceremony: bride and groom face each other and hold hands, as these are to be bound together. There are different ways to hold hands. Then the celebrant places the prepared cloth, on which both partners have previously written their names, over the hands and ties it loosely. Alternatively, parents or witnesses can also take this step. After that, bride and groom grasp the loose ends of the cloth and pull the knot tight after they have withdrawn their hands. One variation is to keep the hands bound together for a while and thus enjoy, celebrate, and proudly demonstrate to the guests the state of intimate communion. After that, the marriage is sealed and the bride and groom may kiss – that was surely also the case among the Celts, and the Vikings were certainly not averse to a kiss either. Engagement Rings in All Shapes Classic Rings Pavé Engagement Rings All Engagement Rings By the way: The binding ritual is very often combined with ring warming, another very old wedding custom in which all guests have the opportunity to warm the ring through touch before the marriage vows. This is particularly beautiful and personal when not too many guests attend the wedding. Integrated into the Wedding Ceremony – Handfasting The timing of when couples bind their hands can be coordinated individually with the celebrant. Before exchanging rings or afterwards? In combination with a marriage vow or a pledge? It is also possible to bind your hands as a conclusion to the wedding ceremony. Either way, the knot in handfasting expresses the intimate love of bride and groom. BUY WEDDING RINGS ONLINE NOW Design your rings yourself with our configurator. Shop Wedding Rings Binding Hands: A Very Personal Custom If there are already different variations for the knot in handfasting – the knot in the form of a figure-eight lying on its side is very popular – then the possibilities for how to design this ritual in an accompanying way are even greater. What if the celebrant explained the individual steps of handfasting to the wedding guests during the ceremony? Certainly not every guest is familiar with this custom. Music is also a nice idea to accompany the free wedding ceremony. Whether you play the bride and groom's favorite song, a wedding classic, or medieval music that fits the theme is entirely up to personal taste. When couples bind their hands, a parent or one of the witnesses can also recite an appropriate text. Ribbons and Accessories For binding bride and groom together, you can choose the ribbons used – and their number – entirely to your liking. While one couple might prefer a nice gift ribbon from craft supplies or a fine satin ribbon, another couple might want much more: it is also possible to braid several narrow ribbons together. If you like, you can have each guest write a narrow ribbon with their name or personal words – and send the ribbons with the invitation – and braid them together at the wedding. A wide fabric ribbon, elaborately embroidered with the wedding vow, is also a nice alternative. The custom becomes very emotional when the ribbon is a piece of fabric with history. How about lace from the bride's mother's wedding dress or a tie from the grandfather who, unfortunately, will not be able to experience the free wedding ceremony? After the wedding, many couples find a place of honor in their home for the knot that expresses their connection in an intimate way. Whether simply hung up or elegantly framed, whether incorporated into a homemade collage or used as table decoration for special occasions – the possibilities are diverse. With These Tips to the Perfect Wedding Find Ring Size Wedding Ring Costs Sample Rings Ring Size

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How Much Time Can Pass Between Engagement and Wedding

Just a few weeks or months, a year, or a significantly longer period – there are no set rules for how much time should pass between engagement and wedding. Generally, this phase is used for wedding planning, which can take considerable time. We explain how to make the best use of the engagement period and show that both a particularly short or long time between engagement and wedding can lead to a wonderful marriage. In Love, Engaged, ... What exactly is behind it when a couple celebrates an engagement? First and foremost, romance takes center stage, because getting engaged simply means making a promise to marry. There are different ways to shape the engagement. In the classic marriage proposal, the man gets down on one knee in front of his beloved and asks the most beautiful of all questions: "Will you marry me?" Of course, a beautiful engagement ring is essential. Of course, it's also possible for the woman to make the marriage proposal. Whether close friends and family are present at the big moment or you prefer to enjoy it in privacy is entirely up to the future bride and groom. You don't need witnesses, nor do any documents need to be signed. Generally, an engagement is considered complete once the proposal is accepted. By the way, a prior engagement is not necessary for the wedding. Legally, the marriage promise has no validity either: there is no obligation to marry, and penalties for breaking an engagement, which were common in the past, are long gone. Engagement Rings in All Shapes Classic Rings Pavé Engagement Rings All Engagement Rings Intensive Wedding Planning Takes Time While our grandparents' generation used the time between engagement and wedding mainly for the two families to get to know each other and to take care of the future home and trousseau, things are quite different today. Most couples use the time to thoroughly and calmly make the numerous wedding preparations. Anyone who has already dealt with this topic knows that wedding planning cannot be completed in a few days, but can stretch over a long period of time. After all, everything should be perfect on the big day – that's what most couples wish for. From Invitation to Celebration Especially if you value a large celebration with many guests and have a tendency toward perfectionism, it is recommended to allow sufficient time for wedding preparations. Choosing the right venue alone can be quite time-consuming. Additionally, many restaurants and other venues are often booked for months and have no availability for last-minute weddings. Should you marry only at the registry office or also in church? That also needs to be scheduled. While sending out invitation cards fixes the wedding date, the following "little things" also require adequate planning time: What should the wedding dress look like – and what about the wedding rings? Prefer a classic wedding menu or an uncomplicated buffet? What about the musical accompaniment to the celebration, and how about the decoration? This list could be extended many times over. The fact is: sufficient time between engagement and wedding can never hurt – most couples spend about a year in this phase. The "Classic" Engagement Period It was the same in the past: if you got engaged, you would marry within the next twelve months in most cases. This is of course not mandatory, but quite sensible to have sufficient time for wedding planning. Those who wish can start the exciting time between engagement and wedding with an engagement announcement in the local newspaper. This is still quite common, especially in rural areas. Some couples also send greeting cards to those who will later be invited to the wedding – it's a nice idea to use these greetings as a "Save-the-Date" right away. While it was once common to celebrate the engagement with a small party, this is rarely done today – though it remains a lovely tradition. Nowadays, the engagement period is often used for a small trip or city break over an extended weekend. For many couples, this makes the preparation time for marriage a bit more relaxed, and they can spend beautiful hours together and discover new things. When You Want to Hurry Some couples can't wait to exchange wedding rings after the marriage proposal. No problem – after all, the engagement doesn't set a mandatory timeframe. However, you should be aware: the shorter the timeframe for wedding planning, the sooner you should be aware of possible limitations on the celebration. Perhaps a large wedding ceremony in your desired church cannot take place because there are simply no more available dates. Additionally, it's possible that guests cannot accept the invitation because they already have other plans for the wedding date. If you're happy with a small wedding ceremony at the registry office with close family and a few friends, you can certainly plan a last-minute wedding. The subsequent celebration in a fine restaurant requires less planning than a big party at a particularly popular wedding venue and can usually be realized after a brief discussion. Couples who decide on a relatively short time between engagement and wedding should not put too much pressure on themselves and should not try to squeeze perfect wedding planning into a few weeks. If you accept that the "quick" wedding might have one or another small imperfection, you'll celebrate in a relaxed manner. And that's what matters most to make the marriage ceremony the most beautiful day of your life! Waiting a Bit Longer Many lovers are not in a hurry to marry after the marriage proposal. The reasons for this can be varied and differ from couple to couple. While some simply want to enjoy the time as an engaged couple for as long as possible, others wait until a weekend finally becomes available at their desired dream location or plan particularly thoroughly and want to organize everything down to the smallest detail. Still others save up the necessary budget over a certain period to celebrate in a big way with as many relatives and friends as possible – or to be able to afford particularly high-quality wedding rings or the absolute dream honeymoon. After all, there is no "obligation to marry," even if the classic engagement ring glitters on your finger and shows everyone that you want to go through life together. BUY WEDDING RINGS ONLINE NOW Design your rings yourself with our configurator. Shop Wedding Rings The Engagement Period In summary, couples who value a wedding that is as perfect as possible with everything that comes with it should plan for at least a year. If everything can be a bit simpler and you only want to celebrate in a small circle – for example in a nice restaurant – or even during the week, a marriage can easily take place just a few weeks or a few months after the marriage proposal. Of course, there are also couples who let several years pass between engagement and wedding. True to the motto: "What takes time is worth the wait." With These Tips to the Perfect Wedding Find Ring Size Wedding Ring Costs Sample Rings Ring Size

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