For those not in the know, a Handfasting is a pagan wedding ceremony where traditionally the bride and groom wed for a year and a day, they have their hands binded together in a ritual cord symbolising the couple binding them selves together, in this world and the next. It is also traditional for the wedded couple to jump over a besom (broom) to complete the transition of leaving one life and starting a new one together.
The ceremony was at The Fighting Cocks pub in Horton Kirby. My other half Leon was the photographer and I was to be part of the circle invoking the quarters.
We arrived at 12 o'clock to help set up the cakes, flowers, napkins and anything else I could find to help with the organisation.
The pub soon got busy as friends and family members of the bride and groom arrived and so did the rain!
It was touch and go if the ceremony would go ahead outside as planned but the decision was made and we ventured ahead and we were lucky that the rain lessen and then stopped during the ritual.
The members of the Celtic Moon circle were all dressed in fleece cloaks with hoods up and when the guests were seated we walked in single file down the aisle to the drum beat provided by the Pentacle Drummers.
Waiting for the go ahead
The Celtic Moon march
Pentacle drummers
We fanned out to make a semi circle besides the gazebo where the altar and the celebrants stood to conduct the service.
The ritual was beautiful. The vows were heartfelt and touching and it was very difficult not to shed a tear.
After the vows and rings were exchanged the couple held hands and were tied together with a handfasting cord.
Here is me in the role of giving thanks to the south quarter. I hope I said the words correctly!
Leaping over the broom.
Celtic Moon <3
The gorgeous cake by Anna of ANe Cakes
The wonderful portrait of the couple painted by he very talented Esther Remmington
Gift giving! Mine was a hand knitted blanket, more about this in my next blog post.
After that there wasn't much else to do but party!
It was a wonderful day and one I will treasure for many years.
Congratulations to Vandrake and Breaca!
Photographs courtesy of LJS Digital photography: https://www.facebook.com/LJSDigiPhoto
Wedding cake: https://www.facebook.com/ANeCakes
Esther Remmington art: https://www.facebook.com/Esther.Remmington
More information on Handfasting can be found here: http://handfasting.org/
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