Handfasting

The term is derived from the verb to handfast, used in Middle to Early Modern English for the making of a contract of marriage. The term is originally from Old Norse hand-festa "to strike a bargain by joining hands”. (1)

Today a Handfasting can be used to signify an engagement, betrothal, or commitment to a life partner. Laws being what they are today, a Handfasting is an excellent way for a gay or lesbian couple to make their commitment known. Additionally a Handfasting can be added to any wedding ceremony, regardless of religion, as "tying the knot" is a universal wedding theme. In fact, Handfasting is the original ‘tying the knot’.

The Fasting of hands symbolises your coming together: I, or a person you choose, wrap your joined hands with special ribbons, forming a circle of infinity and lasting love and tying you together.

The Handfasting is a ceremonial statement of a feeling, which binds two people together. It is not a marriage that binds, but the Love, respect and enjoyment which two people share, the Betrothed invite all their family and friends to show their public statement that they are in love, and wish to commit to each other openly. And for all the guests to witness this statement that they have found the fun, pleasure and opportunities of their lives enhanced by being together. They wish to spend the rest of their lives growing together, helping each other develop their potential and gathering shared moments and memories by learning about life in general with each other, together they are sharing with their guests and witnesses their love for each other.

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handfasting

Offbeat Ceremonies - what's that?

You are different and diverse, you love your community and acknowledging your place in the environment.

You desire a rite of passage that has meaning to you, your family and community, a ceremony that sits lightly on the earth, one that symbolises your partnership and love.

You don’t see your ceremony as only glitz, glam, frou-frou and party favours.

You probably prefer vintage clothes to designer gowns, or perhaps you adore to dress up in historical gowns and ceremonial clothes from different cultural traditions.

In fact, you are offbeat and a bit different, just like me, and between us we can can weave a perfect rite of passage for you that symbolises your diversity.

Offbeat Ceremonies offers you a range of celebrations from weddings and hand fastings, vow renewals, GLBTI and queer commitment ceremonies, naming days for children and adults, Wheel of the Year celebrations, pet ceremonies, and funerals.

I specialise in Rights of Passage ceremonies that celebrate your journey through life.

I created Offbeat Ceremonies because I believe that life should be celebrated and that we should mark all the significant events in our life's journey from birth to death.