"Prelude To A Kiss" by Josephine Wall, click the picture to get to her marvelous gallery!

Basic Handfasting Ceremony

Priestess gives explanation of the meaning of Handfasting:


Handfasting is the Wiccan Marriage ceremony. It differs from other marriage ceremonies in that it may last only as long as the two involved wish it to last, whether that be for a year and a day, or for a lifetime.
Priestess calls to Groom, saying:


Let HE who wishes to be handfasted approach me now.

Priest calls to Bride, saying:

Let SHE who wishes to be handfasted approach me now.

Priest to Group:

Does anyone here have any objections to this couple being handfasted? If so, speak now or forever hold it to your heart.

Priestess to Spirits:

Should any of the Spirits here gathered have objections to this union, now is the time to make it known.

(Wait for the pause of 3 heartbeats)

Priestess to Groom:

Do you, (Groom), stand in our presence of your own free will to seek union with (Bride)?

Groom:

I come here of my own free will and desire.

Priestess to Groom:

Do you pledge that this union will be one of perfect love and perfect trust?

Groom to Priestess:

I so pledge.

Priest to Bride:

Do you, (Bride), stand in our presence of your own free will to seek union with (Groom)? Bride:

I come here of my own free will and desire.

Priest to Bride:

Do you pledge that this union will be one of perfect love and perfect trust?

Bride to Priest:

I so pledge.

Blessings of the Elementals, the Goddess, and the God

Priest and Priestess approach the altar.

Priestess picks up the bowl of salt and holds it aloft, while saying:


Be with us here, spirits of Earth,
Let your strength and consistency
Be theirs for so long as they desire
to remain together.


Priest picks up the censor and holds it aloft, while saying:

Be with us here, spirits of Air
Grant that the paths of communication
Be open for so long as these two desire
to remain together -


Priestess picks up the water and holds it aloft, while saying:

Be with us here, oh spirits of Water
Grant them the deepest of love and richness of
Body, of Soul, and of Spirit for so long as they
desire to remain together.


Priest picks up the red candle and holds it aloft, while saying:

Be with us here, oh spirits of Fire
Grant that the fire of passion be theirs
for so long as these two desire to remain together.


Priest picks up the silver candlesticks and holds them aloft, while Priestess says:

Blessed Goddess and mighty God,
Grant to these before us your eternal love and protection.
Blessed Be

Pledging of the Troth:

Priest turns towards Bride and says:

Do you truly desire to bond with (Groom)?
(Bride answers)
Then pledge now your troth to him.

(Bride states her marriage vows to Groom)

Priestess turns toward Groom and says:

Do you truly desire to bond with (Bride)?
(Groom answers)
Then pledge now your troth to her.

(Groom states his marriage vows to Bride)

Exchanging Rings

Priest and Priestess hold the wand with the rings between them, saying to the Bride and Groom:

Place your right hand over this wand and ring, his hand over hers.

Priestess then says:

As you have stated your desire to be united, one with the other, take now these rings and place them upon each others finger, as pledge and testimony to your love and commitment to each other.

(Bride and Groom place the rings on each other's fingers)

Priestess then says:


Above you are the stars
Below you are the stones
As time does pass, remember
Like a star should your love be constant
Like a stone should your love be firm
Be close, but not too close
Possess one another, yet be understanding
Have patience with each other
Be free and giving of affection and warmth
Make love often and sensuously to one another
Have no fear and let not the ways or words
of the unenlightened give you unease.
For the Goddess and the God are with you always.


Priest then crosses the Bride's and Groom's wrists, as Priestess ties them loosely with a garland strand, saying:
As your wrists are tied by this flowered strand, may it be a prelude to the flowering of your lives together, and a fond rememberance of this handfasting. So also may it symbolize the bonding of your souls, your energy, and your life force; that throughout your life together, you may know of nothing but each other's joy and love, in perfect balance and peace.

Jumping the Broom

Priest holds the broom in front of the couple, who (with wrists still tied together) jump over it. Priestess:

By jumping the broom together, you have proven that you can work as a single mind and spirit. herefore, let the physical bonds of the handfasting be removed and saved as a reminder of this joyous day. But ever remember, the spiritual bonds will always remain.

Priest and Priestess:
By the power vested in us as Priest and Priestess of the Wicca, we do declare to all assembled here, in the presence of the Ancient Ones, that you are husband and wife.

Priestess:
And so it is with loving pleasure that I introduce to all, Mr. and Mrs. (Name). Blessed Be!