Modernised Scottish Handfasting/Wedding Ceremony

[Raconteuse]

Blessing

Officiate:
In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; North, West, South and East. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North
Firm foundation on which to build
Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives
A stable home to which you may always return.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West.
The deep commitments of the lake The swift excitement of the river
The refreshing cleansing of the rain
The all encompassing passion of the sea.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East.
Communication of the heart, mind, and body
Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun.
The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South.
Warmth of hearth and home
The heat of the heart's passion
The light created by both to illuminate the darkest of times.


Each of these blessings emphasizes those things, which will help you build a happy and successful union.
Yet they are only tools.
Tools, which you must use together in order to create what you seek in this union.

Declaration of Intentions (Vows)

Officiate:
Do you, (Bride’s Name), take (Groom’s Name) to be your husband,
To be his constant friend,
his partner in life, and his true love?
To love him without reservation,
honor and respect him,
protect him from harm,
comfort him in times of distress,
and to grow with him in mind and spirit?

Bride: Yes, I do.

Officiate:
Do you, (Groom’s Name), take (Bride’s Name) to be your wife,
To be her constant friend,
her partner in life, and her true love?
To love her without reservation,
honor and respect her,
protect her from harm,
comfort her in times of distress,
and to grow with her in mind and spirit?

Groom: Yes, I do.

Officiate: The bride and groom would like to now exchange their own vows.

Bride’s vows

Grooms’s Vows

The Exchange of Rings

Officiate:
The symbolism of the circular rings was explained very well by the great Native American leader, Black Elk, who said:

"Everything the Power of the Worlds does is done in a circle. The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball and so are the stars. The wind in its greatest power whirls. Birds make their nests in circles ... The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always coming back again to where they were. The life of a man or a woman is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves."

Groom:
I commit myself to the bond and unique relationship that exists between us, and pledge to keep it alive. As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you.

Bride:
I commit myself to the bond and unique relationship that exists between us, and pledge to keep it alive. As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you.

Officiate: "Your separate lives are symbolized by the separate candles you now bear. As you join their flames to make one flame, know that at that moment you are willingly joining your lives forever. Is This what you wish?"

Bride: "I do"
Groom: "I do"

(Light the candle together go back, face each other and hold hands)

Officiate: (Groom) as you have promised you have excepted (Bride) into your family by the adoption of marriage. (hands the groom the clan seal pin and piece of tartan, which the groom will pin on the Bride show she is now of his family)

Officiate will now bind the bride and grooms hands in the family tartan to symbolize their unity.


The Pronouncement
Officiate:
By the power of the Divine and the (area of marriage license obtained), I now declare that you are husband and wife. May you be joined in heart as you are in law. I bid you exchange a kiss to seal your pledge. May you be one forever.

[Victoria Mnemosyne]

Thank you for posting this! I am looking forward to getting married and have been looking into wedding ceremonies that fit with my spirituality. This is a wonderful example.