Handfasting Ribbons

The Celtic Handfasting Marriage Ceremony

Tartan from each family, detail embroidered on each ribbon and with a ring and locket from the absent grandparents embroidered on with silk twist. Handfasting is the symbolic act of a couple’s hands being tied together using cord or other strips of meaningful cloth or ribbon. The primary idea is a symbolic binding of the hands during the wedding ceremony, often before the bride and groom make their vows to one another; sometimes as a ‘stand alone’ ritual leading up to the pronouncement of marriage. This is an adaptation of a ritual which has been known the world over through many different periods in history and by different faiths and cultures.

“Tying the knot”

Handfast: To make a contract of marriage between (parties) by joining of hands; to betroth (two persons, or one person to another) — Oxford English Dictionary. Heirloom Bespoke Handfasting Ribbons The primary idea is a symbolic binding of the hands during the wedding ceremony, often before the bride and groom make their vows to one another; sometimes as a ‘stand alone’ ritual leading up to the pronouncement of marriage. This is an adaptation of a ritual which has been known the world over through many different periods in history and by different faiths and cultures. Your Heirloom Handfasting ribbons could be made from the same tartan used to make the Groom’s kilt; you may have some family tartan from a kilt which belonged to a loved one; you may have an attachment to a tartan and combine it with other meaningful cloth e.g. your mother’s wedding dress? We can be creative and make something very special and relevant to you both.