Our handfasting and the reception is August 16, 2015
A Handfasting ceremony is an ancient Celtic custom, especially common in Ireland and Scotland, in which a man and woman come together, publicly, at the start of their marriage relationship to symbolize marriage vows. Their hands, or more accurately, their wrists, are literally tied together with ribbon or code. This practice gives way to the expression "tying the knot" which has come to mean getting married or engaged.
The term, handfasting, is from late medieval times, deriving from Old Norse: hand-festa, which means to strike a bargain by joining hands. The notion of a handshake comes from the old tradition of hand fasting; and even today, let’s shake on it, can represent a vow of sorts.
The practice was well known in Scotland and Ireland. We find early documentation from the middle ages to the early 17th century.
Handfasting survives in several forms today. It is present in part in many Western religious and secular ceremonies as the celebrant asks, "Who gives this woman to be married?" The giving of the bride's hand to the groom is reminiscent of the handfasting ceremony. Today, a handfasting ceremony depends a lot upon the couple and who officiates the marriage. What is most appealing to many is that the tradition is simple, beautiful and counter cultural—with a rich tradition outside of religious institutions.
http://www.celticjewelry.com/content/celtic-weddings/a-brief-history-of-handfasting-in-celtic-marriage/
http://handfasting.org/traditions/ancient-irish-wedding-tradition/
The term, handfasting, is from late medieval times, deriving from Old Norse: hand-festa, which means to strike a bargain by joining hands. The notion of a handshake comes from the old tradition of hand fasting; and even today, let’s shake on it, can represent a vow of sorts.
The practice was well known in Scotland and Ireland. We find early documentation from the middle ages to the early 17th century.
Handfasting survives in several forms today. It is present in part in many Western religious and secular ceremonies as the celebrant asks, "Who gives this woman to be married?" The giving of the bride's hand to the groom is reminiscent of the handfasting ceremony. Today, a handfasting ceremony depends a lot upon the couple and who officiates the marriage. What is most appealing to many is that the tradition is simple, beautiful and counter cultural—with a rich tradition outside of religious institutions.
http://www.celticjewelry.com/content/celtic-weddings/a-brief-history-of-handfasting-in-celtic-marriage/
http://handfasting.org/traditions/ancient-irish-wedding-tradition/