Handfasting Ritual: A Traditional Pagan Wedding Ceremony

The priest or priestess speaks:

    May the place of this marriage be consecrated,

    for we gather here in the ritual of love and bliss

    with two who would be wedded.

    [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name], please step forward and

    stand here before your friends and family and before the gods and

    goddesses of the world.

    Be with us here, O spirits of the air

    and with your swift fingers tie the bonds between these two

    who would be married, and tie them closely and securely.

    Be with us here.

At this point, tie the two symbolic gift rings together with blue ribbon, then loop them over the willow wand and replace it on the altar.

    Be with us here, O spirits of fire

    and light their love and passion

    with your fiery ardor.

Light the incense from the candles and place it on the altar, then say aloud:

    Be with us here, O spirits of the earth

    and ground deep the roots of their love.

Pick up the willow wand and tie the gardenia to it. Then say:

    Be with us here, O spirits of water

    and let joy flow forever for [Groom’s name] and [Bride’s name],

    for as long as they are married,

    blessed goddess and merry god.

    Give to [Groom’s name] and [Bride’s name], who stand before us in

    the light of their love, your love and protection.

    Blessed be!

Here the audience responds:

    Blessed be.

Hold the willow wand with the rings and gardenia tied to it out to the bride and groom, instructing them:

    Place your right hand over this wand and the rings of this rite

    of marriage.

    Above you are the stars,

    below you the stones.

    As time passes, think upon this:

    like the eastern star, your love shall remain constant.

    Like a rock, your love will stand firm.

    Possess one another, but always be understanding.

    Have patience at all times,

    for stormy times come and go, but they leave upon the wind.

    Give each other love as often as possible

    of the body, the mind, and the spirit.

    Be not afraid and do not let the ways of others dissuade you from

    your path.

    The gods and goddesses are always with you,

    now and forever.

After a short pause, ask the bride:

    [Name], is it your wish to become one with this man?

She answers.

Ask the groom:

    [Name], is it your wish to become one with this woman?

He responds.

    Does anyone here today say nay?

Say to the bride and groom:

    Place the rings on each other now, [bride] and [groom].

    Before the gods, goddesses, and everyone here as witness,

    I now proclaim you husband and wife!

Now the bride and groom kiss. Next, they speak any words they have prepared for each other. Finally, it’s time for them to exchange their symbolic gifts. At the end, say:

    Now we ring the bells and it is proclaimed—this ritual is done!