The Ultimate Guide to Handtying
Celebrant Handtying Ritual
Hello and welcome to my blog on all things handtying: a celebrant ritual I feel incredibly passionate about and one I’m always thrilled to include in any of my celebrant ceremonies.
Over the years I’ve curated many beautiful wedding ceremonies across West Yorkshire and beyond. My wedding ceremonies are known for being elegant and romantic; a traditional ceremony with a more modern feel to it. As your celebrant, I put my heart and soul into your ceremony script, ensuring we honour your love story in a way that feels intimate, romantic and deeply symbolic.
“When Michelle did the read through of our wedding script with us, we were absolutely blown away. We didn’t realise quite how “us” it would be and so many personal details that we had shared with her were included....We really felt that Michelle cared and knew we were in safe hands! ”
One of the many ways I ensure your wedding ceremony feels memorable, is by weaving any number of beautiful symbolic rituals, into the ceremony. This can include anything from ring warming to sand ceremonies or more bespoke rituals like wild flower seed blending or shot drinking! The skies the limit! Amongst the many symbolic rituals I like to incorporate, handtying/handfasting remains one of my favourite.
Handfasting (or Handtying, which is a more modern take on the ancient ritual of Handfasting) involves tying a couples hands together at a significant moment within their wedding ceremony with handfasting ‘cords’ or ribbons to symbolise their commitment to one another and their union. Like all symbolic rituals, handfasting/handtying really is an incredible way to add sentiment to your wedding ceremony. It’s a visual sensation (photographers love it) and unapologetically joyful and sentimental.
The Origins of Handfasting
Handfasting can be traced back to ancient Celtic traditions, where couples would publicly declare their intention to marry by binding their hands together with ribbons or cords. Originally, it was a form of betrothal or temporary marriage, where a couple’s hands were bound together as a representation of their commitment to one another, whether for a year and a day (a trial marriage) or as a binding contract before an official ceremony-leading to the well known term, ‘tying the knot.’
Over the years, handfasting has evolved and adapted to different cultures and beliefs, and today it remains a cherished ceremony in many modern celebrant weddings.
Handtying is simply a modern-day interpretation of handfasting and whilst it is a little simpler than handtying, it remains just as symbolic.
The Modern day symbolism of Handtying
If you’re looking for a way to honour your Celtic roots but desire an elegant enhancement to your ceremony which is more in keeping with your classic sense of style, then you might consider handtying as the ritual for you. Like Handfasting, Handtying honours the same sentiments for your special day:
Unity and Connection: Handtying serves as a beautiful representation of your desire for unity and connection. As your hands are gently tied together, you symbolise the coming together of your shared values, beliefs and passions. It is a powerful visual reminder of the shared journey you face together; your desire to face all of life’s challenges as a team.
Commitment: The act of handtying symbolises a deep commitment between you both. By intertwining your hands, you are expressing your willingness to support and care for one another throughout your lives. The cords or ribbons used in the ceremony serve as a physical reminder of this sacred bond, one that can be cherished long after the wedding day.
Infinite Love and Infinite Time: Handtying can also represent the timeless nature of love. As the cords are tied, they form an infinite knot, signifying the fact your love knows no bounds and endures beyond the constraints of time. It is a powerful symbol of everlasting love and a testament to the enduring commitment the couple shares.
Last year, I married Dea and Joe at the Hospitium in York. This gorgeous couple were committed to ensuring their ceremony honoured their journey together in a way that felt celebratory but also captured their Celtic roots. They chose a Handtying ceremony to do this and it really was an effortlessly beautiful touch adding sentiment and meaning to their deeply symbolic wedding.
To discover more, hop on over to my blog using the link below:
“Thank you so much for all the time, effort and care you put into making our wedding so special...our guests said they’d never been to a wedding like it...you are amazing, I’m so happy we found you...”
Handtying and Celebrant Weddings
Today, handtying has become a ritual easily customised so that couples can adapt it to suit their preferences and beliefs. Here are some ways to incorporate handtying into a modern wedding:
Choose Meaningful Materials: Consider selecting cords or ribbons that hold significance for you and your partner. They can represent your heritage, favourite colours, or even incorporate elements that hold personal meaning, such as fabric from a cherished garment or a family heirloom.
Personalise the handtying Ceremony: Work closely with me to create a handfasting ceremony that aligns with your values and desires. Customise you handtying with significant readings, poetry or blessings that resonate with you as a couple. Consider a beautiful piece of music to accompany the ritual and amplify the sentiment and emotion of this beautiful act.
Involve Loved Ones: Handfasting can be a beautiful way to involve loved ones in your ceremony. Consider inviting family members or close friends to participate by assisting in the tying of the cords or offering blessings and well-wishes. Their involvement adds an extra layer of warmth and support to the ceremony.
Handtying at a Vow Renewal Ceremony
Handtying is a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate your vow renewal or significant wedding anniversary, especially in a celebrant-led ceremony.
For a vow renewal or anniversary, it offers a poignant way to acknowledge the journey you have travelled together, celebrating your love which has endured the passage of time and your bond which continues to grow.
At a vow renewal, using handtying cords is an excellent way to involve children within the ceremony -to honour the way they have supported your marriage-and to celebrate step children and blended families.
For more information on my services as a wedding celebrant and to discover how I can curate a ceremony which feels deeply personal and intimate, please do get in touch.
I am based outside of Leeds but cover all of the Yorkshire region and beyond.
I offer a no-obligation discovery call where we can sit and chat through your ideas and vision for your big day and talk through my services in more detail.
I’d really love to chat more about your celebrant requirements for your wedding. As part of my service, I offer a no obligation discovery call through zoom where I’m more than happy to talk through any questions you may have.
Perhaps you’d like more advice on how to tailor this ritual to suit you? I’d love to inspire you on ways in which you can personalise the ritual through your choice of cords; discovering the different types of knots we can use and other ways to include your family members in this ritual.
Of course, there are so many ways to personalise your wedding ceremony and ensure it’s right for you. You might find my Instagram page a useful place to start when it comes to discovering more about me but also, please feel fee to throw your ideas and suggestions my way too. Your wedding should be a reflection of your unique personalities and I’d be privileged to tell your love story.
“There aren’t enough stars to give for how fabulous Michelle is! I would give her 100/5 if possible.”
