Handfasting

A true handfasting is a promised commitment for a year and a day. Because there is no license, it is not a marriage and has no legal standing in NY. I have however officiated Handfasting Wedding Ceremonies with a marriage license. These do have legal standing as they meet the State requirements. An example of a Handfasting Marriage Ceremony can be found in the Reserved for Booked Couples section

Sample Simple Handfasting for a Year and a Day

We are gathered here to witness the Handfasting of ( ) and ( ). They wish to express their appreciation to each and every one here, not only for your presence today but for the many ways you have supported and loved them over time. With this Handfasting they make public their love and commitment and agree to live together for a year and a day. You have each been given a stone to hold throughout this ceremony. Please send the stones positive and loving energy. The couple will keep them in a sacred place and will always be grounded with this loving energy. We will collect these stones as well as the good wishes you send them at the closing of the ceremony.

We will now light the candles honoring the elements and the directions. (these can be lit by the couple, the officiant or others) The yellow candle represents the East, home of the rising Sun and the element of Air. This is the place of new beginnings, intelligence and learning. The red candle represents the South, heat of the sun and the element of Fire. This is the place of movement and passion. The blue candle represents the West, the coolness of twilight and the element of Water. This is the place of emotion and intuition. The green candle represents the North, the time of planting, nurturing and rest and the element of Earth. This is the place of growth and abundance.
The white candle represents Spirit, Mother Earth, Father Sky, the God and the Goddess and All That Is. This is the place that is not a place, yet is every place.

( ) and ( ) is it your intent to live together in harmony and love? (It is) Is it your intent to honor each other, to allow the other to grow? (It is) Is it your intent to provide loving support, yet not hold each other up or hold each other back? (It is) Is it your intent to not expect perfection in each other, but to accept that as humans we sometimes struggle as we learn life’s lessons? (It is)

Then join your right hands, then join your left. Note that you have made the infinity symbol for love has no beginning and has no end. Speak your promises of love to each other. (I promise to have an open heart and an open mind. I promise to love you as you are and to honor your path. I promise to love you and to be faithful for a year and a day. )

(Officiant then takes the cord and wraps around one person's left hand and the other person's right. As she does so she explains the significance of the color(s) selected by the couple. The color interpretations can be your personal ones, but here are a few suggestions: Red represents a passion for life, physical energy and health. Orange shows sweetness, trust, and creativity. With yellow you bring in respect, personal power and spontaneity. Compassion, unconditional love, and balance are represented by green. Blue is the color of communication, contentedness, harmony and self expression. With Indigo you bring in intuition, wisdom, emotional intelligence and charisma. Violet represents peace, spirituality and selflessness. White is the color of purity and a connection with a Higher Power, God, Divine and Spirit.

At this time, we will collect the stones. As you place your stone in the basket, please call out a wish you have for this couple. For example you may wish them love, happiness, abundance, compassion, understanding, good health or whatever else comes to your mind. Speak it loudly so that it may manifest. Do not worry if someone has already expressed the gift you wish to give them. They may receive these glorious gifts many times over

( ) and ( ) you are now not only joined in love, but also in commitment. You have the blessings of friends and family. May your days together be filled with joy, adventure and peace. Blessings to you as you kiss!