Handfasting Example 4
The groom is Christian, the bride is Pagan, they both love Game of Thrones so how about a ceremony that includes: some beautiful readings from the Bible, Pagan Blessings, an updated version of casting a circle, a Handfasting and some
Game of Thrones Vows!
The bride wanted to “Cast a Circle” however out of respect for the groom’s Christian family she was not comfortable with the wording being too “Pagan”, so we went with a more “Modern/inclusive approach to the casting of a circle.
Please note this ceremony can easily be changed to reflect a same-sex couple.
All wording can be mixed/matched with other ceremonies and my build a ceremony menu. Everything can be tailored to your liking.
Game of Thrones Vows!
The bride wanted to “Cast a Circle” however out of respect for the groom’s Christian family she was not comfortable with the wording being too “Pagan”, so we went with a more “Modern/inclusive approach to the casting of a circle.
Please note this ceremony can easily be changed to reflect a same-sex couple.
All wording can be mixed/matched with other ceremonies and my build a ceremony menu. Everything can be tailored to your liking.
The greeting:
Officiant: I address the couple & the guests:
We are gathered here in God’s presence, amid the beauty of God’s creation, to witness the exchange of _____ and ___’s vows of marriage. We celebrate their joy, their love and their expectations. Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is a quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weakness.
On behalf of the bride and groom, I would like to thank each one of you for sharing this happiest of days with them. They also take this opportunity to remember, with love, those who are no longer with us.
Officiant: I address the couple & the guests:
We are gathered here in God’s presence, amid the beauty of God’s creation, to witness the exchange of _____ and ___’s vows of marriage. We celebrate their joy, their love and their expectations. Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is a quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weakness.
On behalf of the bride and groom, I would like to thank each one of you for sharing this happiest of days with them. They also take this opportunity to remember, with love, those who are no longer with us.
Casting Circle:
Officiant: In many religions when a sacred ceremony such as a wedding, is not held inside a spiritual building like a church or temple, it is customary to create a scared space in which to hold the ceremony. So, we will begin by creating a sacred circle in which to hold this beautiful ceremony.
The circle itself is an infinite thing. It is magical and never-ending, never changing and yet always adaptable, a ring with no beginning and no end. Like the circle, true love itself is infinite. It goes on, knowing no boundaries or restrictions. It flourishes and blooms in the light and in the dark, laying down no ultimatums, making no demands at all. Love, in its infinite form, is something that cannot be forced. It cannot be taken away. It is a gift we give to ourselves, and an honor we give to others from the bottom of our hearts and souls.
When two people come together and give one another this gift, this most sacred gift of all, it is certain the universe is sitting back and smiling upon us, laughing and showering us with every possible blessing.
Officiant: In many religions when a sacred ceremony such as a wedding, is not held inside a spiritual building like a church or temple, it is customary to create a scared space in which to hold the ceremony. So, we will begin by creating a sacred circle in which to hold this beautiful ceremony.
The circle itself is an infinite thing. It is magical and never-ending, never changing and yet always adaptable, a ring with no beginning and no end. Like the circle, true love itself is infinite. It goes on, knowing no boundaries or restrictions. It flourishes and blooms in the light and in the dark, laying down no ultimatums, making no demands at all. Love, in its infinite form, is something that cannot be forced. It cannot be taken away. It is a gift we give to ourselves, and an honor we give to others from the bottom of our hearts and souls.
When two people come together and give one another this gift, this most sacred gift of all, it is certain the universe is sitting back and smiling upon us, laughing and showering us with every possible blessing.
Invocation (this is the beginning prayer to “invoke” or ask god to be present and bless this service)
Officiant: Let us now pause to establish ourselves in the consciousness of the Holy Presence as we pray.
We acknowledge Thy Presence and Thy Power, Blessed Spirit (Or substitute Heavenly Father) We pray that Thy loving presence will encircle this wedding service. We pray that Thy blessing will encircle the marriage of _____ and ___
We give thanks that these two souls have been drawn together by divine appointment and will be held together by the power of divine love. We rejoice that through this mystical union, these two, now become one, will experience soul satisfaction and fulfillment, and that your blessing, Dear God, is upon them and that your love is expressing through them now and always. Amen
Officiant: Let us now pause to establish ourselves in the consciousness of the Holy Presence as we pray.
We acknowledge Thy Presence and Thy Power, Blessed Spirit (Or substitute Heavenly Father) We pray that Thy loving presence will encircle this wedding service. We pray that Thy blessing will encircle the marriage of _____ and ___
We give thanks that these two souls have been drawn together by divine appointment and will be held together by the power of divine love. We rejoice that through this mystical union, these two, now become one, will experience soul satisfaction and fulfillment, and that your blessing, Dear God, is upon them and that your love is expressing through them now and always. Amen
Reading:
Officiant: It is love that has brought you here today and in the spirit of this love I would like to share a reading with you from 1st Corinthians
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
And now faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love
Charge to ___ and _____ (the charge is addressed to the Bride and Groom. It is a preparation for the vows you are about to take)
Officiant:
_____ and ___, I charge you both, as you stand in the presence of God, to listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time passes, remember… Like a stone should your love be firm; like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage. Let the strength of your wills bind you together. Let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Possess one another yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God the Heavenly Father is with you always.
Officiant: It is love that has brought you here today and in the spirit of this love I would like to share a reading with you from 1st Corinthians
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
And now faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love
Charge to ___ and _____ (the charge is addressed to the Bride and Groom. It is a preparation for the vows you are about to take)
Officiant:
_____ and ___, I charge you both, as you stand in the presence of God, to listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time passes, remember… Like a stone should your love be firm; like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage. Let the strength of your wills bind you together. Let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Possess one another yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God the Heavenly Father is with you always.
Betrothal/Declaration of intent (this is when you declare your action or intent to marry is a matter of free will)
Officiant to _____: Will you _____ have ___ to be your wife to live with her, respect her, and love her as God intends with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness, as long as you both shall live?
_____ Responds: I will
Officiant to ___: Will you have ___ have _____ to be your husband, to live with him, respect him, and love him as God intends with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness, as long as you both shall live?
___ Responds: I will.
Vows:
Officiant: Now that you have declared your intentions, I invite you to share your vows with one another.
_____, repeat to ___, after me, these words:
I, _____, take you, ___ to be my lawful wife
(_____ says): I, _____, take you, ___ to be my lawful wife
To have and to hold from this day forward,
(_____ says) to have and to hold from this day forward,
For better, for worse,
(_____ says) for better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
(_____ says) for richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
(_____ says) in sickness and in health,
Until death do us part.
(_____ says) until death do us part.
___, repeat to _____, after me, these words:
I, ___, take you, _____ to be my lawful husband
(___ says): I, ___, take you, _____ to be my lawful husband
To have and to hold from this day forward,
(___ says) to have and to hold from this day forward,
For better, for worse,
(___ says) for better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
(___ says) for richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
(___ says) in sickness and in health,
Until death do us part.
(___ says) Until death do us part
Officiant to _____: Will you _____ have ___ to be your wife to live with her, respect her, and love her as God intends with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness, as long as you both shall live?
_____ Responds: I will
Officiant to ___: Will you have ___ have _____ to be your husband, to live with him, respect him, and love him as God intends with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness, as long as you both shall live?
___ Responds: I will.
Vows:
Officiant: Now that you have declared your intentions, I invite you to share your vows with one another.
_____, repeat to ___, after me, these words:
I, _____, take you, ___ to be my lawful wife
(_____ says): I, _____, take you, ___ to be my lawful wife
To have and to hold from this day forward,
(_____ says) to have and to hold from this day forward,
For better, for worse,
(_____ says) for better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
(_____ says) for richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
(_____ says) in sickness and in health,
Until death do us part.
(_____ says) until death do us part.
___, repeat to _____, after me, these words:
I, ___, take you, _____ to be my lawful husband
(___ says): I, ___, take you, _____ to be my lawful husband
To have and to hold from this day forward,
(___ says) to have and to hold from this day forward,
For better, for worse,
(___ says) for better, for worse,
For richer, for poorer,
(___ says) for richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
(___ says) in sickness and in health,
Until death do us part.
(___ says) Until death do us part
Exchange of rings:
Officiant: May we please have the rings
At this point the best man will give the rings to the Officiant.
May these rings be blessed with; Air for hopes and dreams; Fire for the spark of love; Water for harmony and healing; And Earth for strength.
The circle is the symbol of the sun, earth, and universe. It is the symbol of peace. Let this ring be the symbol of unity and peace in which your two lives are joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever you go, return unto one another and to your togetherness
To _____: _____ will you take this ring and place it upon ___’s finger, and as you do, repeat to her, after me, these words:
I _____ give you ___ this ring
(_____ says): I _____, give you ___ this ring
As an eternal symbol
(_____ says): As an eternal symbol
Of my love
(_____ says): Of my love
And commitment to you
(_____ says): And commitment to you
To ___: ___ will you take this ring and place it upon _____’s finger, and as you do, repeat to him, after me, these words:
I ___, give you _____ this ring
(___ says): I ___ give you _____ this ring
As an eternal symbol
(___ says): As an eternal symbol
Of my love
(___ says): Of my love
And commitment to you
(___ says): And commitment to you
Officiant: May we please have the rings
At this point the best man will give the rings to the Officiant.
May these rings be blessed with; Air for hopes and dreams; Fire for the spark of love; Water for harmony and healing; And Earth for strength.
The circle is the symbol of the sun, earth, and universe. It is the symbol of peace. Let this ring be the symbol of unity and peace in which your two lives are joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever you go, return unto one another and to your togetherness
To _____: _____ will you take this ring and place it upon ___’s finger, and as you do, repeat to her, after me, these words:
I _____ give you ___ this ring
(_____ says): I _____, give you ___ this ring
As an eternal symbol
(_____ says): As an eternal symbol
Of my love
(_____ says): Of my love
And commitment to you
(_____ says): And commitment to you
To ___: ___ will you take this ring and place it upon _____’s finger, and as you do, repeat to him, after me, these words:
I ___, give you _____ this ring
(___ says): I ___ give you _____ this ring
As an eternal symbol
(___ says): As an eternal symbol
Of my love
(___ says): Of my love
And commitment to you
(___ says): And commitment to you
Handfasting:
Officiant: _____ and ___ have chosen to conclude their ceremony with a traditional handfasting. This is a symbolic binding of the hands that inspired the terms "Bonds of Holy Matrimony" and to "Tie the knot" Throughout history in many different ways and in many different parts of the world, the hands of the bride and groom were bound as a sign of their commitment to one another. In many times rings were only for the very rich, while love knows no such bound. The cords are not permanent but perishable as a reminder that all things of the material eventually return to the earth, unlike the bond and the connection that is love which is eternal.
In the presence of your family and friends, I now bind your hands together, to symbolize your new union of love, trust and friendship. (cross hands over one another “binds” hands)
Today, we ask that the infinite light of God shine upon this union. By the Winds that bring change, by the Fire of Love, by the Seas of fortune, and the strength of the Earth, I offer a blessing to this ceremony.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts from the east -- new beginnings that come each day with the rising sun, communication of the heart, mind, body and soul.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the south -- the light of the heart, the heat of passion, and the warmth of a loving home.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the west -- the rushing excitement of a raging river, the soft and pure cleansing of a rainstorm, and a commitment as deep as the ocean itself.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the north -- a solid foundation on which to build your lives, abundance and growth of your home, and the stability to be found by holding one another at the end of the day.
___ and _____, these four simple blessings will help you on your journey that begins today. However, they are only tools. They are tools which you must use together to create the light, the strength, the infinite energy now and forever of a love you both so richly deserve.
Now, please look at one another and pledge your vows to seal your union. (*from Games of Thrones-couple can memorize wording or repeat after the Officiant)
___ and _____ say: Maiden, Mother, Crone, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. I am yours and you are mine, from this day until the end of our days.
Officiant: Above you are the stars and below you is the earth.
Like the earth should your love be a firm foundation from which to grow stronger through the seasons.
Like a star should your love be a constant source of light.
Like a flame should your union be warm and glowing with love in your hearts.
Like the wind may you sail through life safe and calm.
Like water should your relationship remain clean and soothing, that it may never thirst for love.
___ and _____, this cord ribbons symbolizes so much. It is your life, your love, and the eternal connection that the two of you have found with one another. The ties of this handfasting are not formed by these ribbons, or even by the knots connecting them. They are formed instead by your vows, by your pledge, your souls, and your two hearts, now bound together as one.
Officiant will remove the cord while saying:
The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.
Pronouncement:
Officiant: Inasmuch as you _____ and you ___ have thus consented in holy matrimony and have witnessed the same before God and these friends, by virtue of the authority vested in me as an Officiant and the laws of this state, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate
You may kiss the Bride!
Benediction (It brings ceremony to an end. It is another blessing):
Officiant:The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace.
It is with great honor I present to you Mr. and Mrs._________
Officiant: _____ and ___ have chosen to conclude their ceremony with a traditional handfasting. This is a symbolic binding of the hands that inspired the terms "Bonds of Holy Matrimony" and to "Tie the knot" Throughout history in many different ways and in many different parts of the world, the hands of the bride and groom were bound as a sign of their commitment to one another. In many times rings were only for the very rich, while love knows no such bound. The cords are not permanent but perishable as a reminder that all things of the material eventually return to the earth, unlike the bond and the connection that is love which is eternal.
In the presence of your family and friends, I now bind your hands together, to symbolize your new union of love, trust and friendship. (cross hands over one another “binds” hands)
Today, we ask that the infinite light of God shine upon this union. By the Winds that bring change, by the Fire of Love, by the Seas of fortune, and the strength of the Earth, I offer a blessing to this ceremony.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts from the east -- new beginnings that come each day with the rising sun, communication of the heart, mind, body and soul.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the south -- the light of the heart, the heat of passion, and the warmth of a loving home.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the west -- the rushing excitement of a raging river, the soft and pure cleansing of a rainstorm, and a commitment as deep as the ocean itself.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the north -- a solid foundation on which to build your lives, abundance and growth of your home, and the stability to be found by holding one another at the end of the day.
___ and _____, these four simple blessings will help you on your journey that begins today. However, they are only tools. They are tools which you must use together to create the light, the strength, the infinite energy now and forever of a love you both so richly deserve.
Now, please look at one another and pledge your vows to seal your union. (*from Games of Thrones-couple can memorize wording or repeat after the Officiant)
___ and _____ say: Maiden, Mother, Crone, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. I am yours and you are mine, from this day until the end of our days.
Officiant: Above you are the stars and below you is the earth.
Like the earth should your love be a firm foundation from which to grow stronger through the seasons.
Like a star should your love be a constant source of light.
Like a flame should your union be warm and glowing with love in your hearts.
Like the wind may you sail through life safe and calm.
Like water should your relationship remain clean and soothing, that it may never thirst for love.
___ and _____, this cord ribbons symbolizes so much. It is your life, your love, and the eternal connection that the two of you have found with one another. The ties of this handfasting are not formed by these ribbons, or even by the knots connecting them. They are formed instead by your vows, by your pledge, your souls, and your two hearts, now bound together as one.
Officiant will remove the cord while saying:
The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.
Pronouncement:
Officiant: Inasmuch as you _____ and you ___ have thus consented in holy matrimony and have witnessed the same before God and these friends, by virtue of the authority vested in me as an Officiant and the laws of this state, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate
You may kiss the Bride!
Benediction (It brings ceremony to an end. It is another blessing):
Officiant:The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace.
It is with great honor I present to you Mr. and Mrs._________
