Pagan wedding flowers hold significant importance in pagan ceremonies and rituals. The use of flowers in pagan weddings is rooted in ancient traditions and symbolic meanings. These flowers are chosen based on their symbolism, color, and overall significance in pagan belief systems. In pagan traditions, flowers are believed to possess spiritual qualities and energies. They are often used to invoke certain deities, spirits, or elements during rituals, symbolizing the connection between humans and the natural world. These flowers are carefully selected to align with the couple's intentions and desires for their marriage.

Pagan Handfasting Script with Fire, Flowers and Offerings

This Pagan Handfasting ceremony scripts is a great alternative to a traditional wedding. This ceremony includes detailed instructions on how to include pagan rituals in the handfasting ceremony. We encourage you to use this script as is or build on this script for a more personalized ceremony for the couple.

1. Set up: Choose a meaningful day and place to hold your ceremony. Arrange chairs or blankets for guests in a circle around the ceremonial altar, where the couple and officiant (or Pagan priest or priestess) will stand. Prepare the altar with the spiritual symbols the couple wishes to use. (Often these represent the spirit, the mind, the heart and emotions, and the body). You may also include the wedding rings (unless this is a betrothal ceremony, or if other gifts will be used instead, or if the rings will be presented by a guest), the handfasting cord, candles, incense, or flowers. If a ceremonial fire will be used for the offerings, this can be set up ahead of the ceremony. If the offerings will be burned later, stones or wood may be used to receive the offerings, and burned later.
2. Around the circle, place flowers and seasonal branches in vases or arranged decoratively. If the couple tends a garden together, they can gather flowers, vines, or grasses there. Use flowers in the bud, and fully bloomed, and incorporate branches with many leaves and those with fewer, to represent the many stages of growth. In front of the altar, place a vase with fresh water, empty except for two flowers, one chosen by each of the partners. Flowers may be chosen based on their symbolic meanings, if desired, or not.
3. Mark each of the four directions with a symbolic colored ribbons or group of flowers, for example yellow in the east, red in the south, blue in the west, and green in the north, to correspond with each cardinal direction's element (air, fire, water, and earth, respectively).
4. Before or as the guests arrive, the officiant will walk the circle, grounding themselves and connecting with the purpose of the day. If they wish, they may call to each of the four directions as they walk, and may carry incense or sage. The couple will also ground and calm themselves in their chosen way, preparing for the ritual.

These flowers are carefully selected to align with the couple's intentions and desires for their marriage. The choice of flowers in pagan weddings is also influenced by the season and the Earth's cycles. Each season carries its own unique energy, represented by different flowers.

The Handfasting Script

officiant to the gathering

"Welcome, beloved friends and family. We've gathered here today beneath this open sky to celebrate and bless this union between these two souls. As we begin, let us call first upon the gods (specific deities can be named now if desired) and upon our ancestors. To the spirits of those who came before us and who gave us life, and those too who were once of this world and our family, our beloved dead. We ask that all those who wish to be here, join us."

1. (If there are specific names to be read, they can be read now, "By name, we invite… Be with us here, today, if you wish to be.")
2. Next, the officiant calls upon the spirits of the four directions, turning to each point in the circle, and asking for the blessings and promises offered by each. If a guest has offered to stand at each point, the minister can speak to them.

officiant facing east

"To the East! I call upon the spirits of the East, the spirits of air, whose energy brings communication and clear connections between heart, mind, and body. Bless us with the promise of growth and fresh beginnings."officiant facing south
"To the South! I ask the spirits of the South, of fire, to bring the warmth of home and heat of passion, and a promise of light in darkness. Bless this union."officiant facing west
"To the West! I call upon the West, spirits of water, that love be deep, forgiving, exciting, and passionate. We ask for the blessing and promise of healing, flexibility, and change."officiant facing north

"To the North! I ask the spirits of the North, the spirits of earth, to bring blessings of steadiness and stability, and the promise of a true home."

1. Guests are encouraged to hold hands with one another, to honor the energy of the occasion and to strengthen the circle.
2. The officiant asks each of the couple their names, and then ensures they are present of their own will and desire.

officiant to partner a

"What is your name?"

• Partner One answers.

officiant to partner B
"What is your name?"

• Partner Two answers.

officiant to PARTNER A

"[PARTNER A], do you come here to be joined with [PARTNER B]?"PARTNER A TO OFFICIANT

"I do, for they are the beloved of my heart."officiant to PARTNER B
"[PARTNER B], do you come here to be joined with [PARTNER A]?"PARTNER B TO OFFICIANT

"I do, for they are the beloved of my heart."

1. The OFFICIANT may ask the couple to kneel, or they may remain standing.
2. Next, there may be a reading of poetry, a meaningful piece of writing, or a song, and the officiant will share a blessing for the couple.

OFFICIANT TO THE GATHERING

"Love like all things of this earth grows gradually, strengthening leaf by leaf and breath by breath with each new day. Bless this couple, that they may tend to their love as we tend to all things on this earth, with nurturing care and patience.

Help them to grow love as boundless as the sky, as steadfast as the mountain, as bountiful as the field, as passionate as the sea, and as assuring as the light. All spirits, all of the earth, and all of us here, bless this couple with company and hope in their darkest days, and laughter and joy in their brightest.

Bless them that their love may continue to grow, always, with each new day."

1. If kneeling, the couple stands, facing the OFFICIANT.
2. The OFFICIANT asks them each if they promise to cause no harm to the other, and they answer. This can be done individually or in unison.
3. If there are rings, the OFFICIANT may hold them briefly above the candle or burning smudge sage in symbolic cleansing, but this is not necessary.
4. Facing each other, the couple exchanges the rings. If there are other spiritually significant gifts the couple want to offer each other, these are exchanged now. Examples may be stones, gems, keepsakes, or other natural symbols.
5. The couple share any words, special readings, or personal vows they wish to say to each other.
6. The couple remain facing and clasp hands, left to right and right to left. (If it's more comfortable and they've decided on this beforehand, the couple can turn side to side, and clasp on one hand together, or any other comfortable combination.)
7. The officiant lifts the cord or ribbon and wraps it around the wrists loosely, in a figure eight. It can be knotted or draped.
8. Next an offering is made. An offering is the willing sacrifice of something valuable, you must lose access to the thing. An example is the pouring of honey, wine, and milk onto a fire. If a fire is not permitted, hearth stones or other materials may be used in its place, and later returned to a fire.
9. When the offering and any final blessing have been made, the officiant announces the couple as either (previously agreed upon commitment) engaged, married for a set time if the marriage is intentionally temporary, married for as long as love lasts, married until death, or bound for eternity.

OFFICIANT TO THE GATHERING

"In this circle, joined by those you know, in front of gods and spirits, known and unknown, the welcome blessings of the four directions, and the ancestors, I announce you handfasted, united for as long as your love shall last."

Note: It is important that a parting thank you and farewell is given to all gods, spirits, directions, and ancestors called to bless the union.

officiant to the gathering

"We thank the spirits of the earth, gods and goddesses, ancestors and our guests and family for joining us here today. We give our love and thanks to the East, to the South, to the West, and to the North. Thank you for blessing this day and union, and we wish you farewell."

• The couple give their thanks for the blessings, and offer their own farewell to all gods, spirits, directions, and ancestors called.

couple to the gathering

"We thank the spirits of the earth, gods and goddesses, ancestors and our guests and family for joining us here today. We give our love and thanks to the East, to the South, to the West, and to the North. Thank you for blessing this day and union, and we wish you farewell.

1. The officiant announces the conclusion of the ceremony.
2. This ritual is ended, let's celebrate!
3. The couple may be released from the cord (or remain bound until consummation, which is traditional for some Wiccans) and they leave the circle.
4. A feast and celebration with guests may follow.

Magical Herbs for Your Wedding Ceremony, Handfasting, or Vow Renewal

Published Thursday, May. 4th, 2023 Written by Jessica Levey
Add a dash of magic to your marriage ceremony, handfasting, or vow renewal with this simple introduction to common herbs and botanicals. Believed by many to hold magical and symbolic properties, these plants have been used on wedding altars and marriage blessings, and in other commitment ceremonies, witchcraft and spellcasting, and individual spiritual practices since ancient times. Illustration: Jessica Levey

Add a little magick to you marriage ceremony!

• Asked to officiate a marriage rite?Get ordained online with AMM here.

Magical Herbs and Botanicals for Your Wedding Ceremony: Uses and Meanings

• Angelica root : Used for protection and prosperity, to enhance feminine power, and for emotional balance. (Root is poisonous when fresh, dried angelica can interact with medications and drugs.)

• Basil : Attracts love and abundance; used in offerings to spirits and gods, and in blessings, potions, and teas.

• Dandelion: Aids in spiritual growth and transformation; symbolizes strength and flexibility, can be used in bouquets, or as part of a wedding altar or candle magic ceremony.

• Wild Daisy : Attracts good luck and happiness; used in bouquets, altars, casting a circle, and in tea to relieve headaches and minor body aches.

• Ginger : Root attracts passion, sexual chemistry, and romance; used in potions and teas, and bulbs can be placed with other offerings and on an altar.

• Lavender : Brings good luck, serenity, love, devotion; used in calming aromatics, sprays, teas, bouquets, altars and offerings, blessings for lasting friendship and love, smudging rituals, and when casting a circle.

• Lemon Balm : Welcomes love, open-heartedness, and healing; used in teas, aromatics, sprays, and on altars.

• Peppermint : Enhances masculine power, welcomes adventure and abundance; used in potions and teas, aromatics and sprays, placed on an altar, or included in a bouquet.

• Rosemary : Welcomes love and passion, wards off negative energies and spirits; used in lotions and aromatics, sprays, placed on altars, and when casting a circle (can be placed along the circle or on the four corners).

• Sage: Depending on the variety you choose (white, blue, desert sage) this herb welcomes wisdom, security, and open-heartedness into a marriage; used in smudge sticks and smudging rituals, aromatics and offerings, and in the wedding bouquet or headpiece.

• Solomon’s Seal : Root offers protection and clarity; used when casting a circle or calling the corners, or while cleansing the space before the marriage rite; Flowers can be used as a symbolic offering, placed on the altar, or in a bouquet.

• Violets: Attracts lasting love and happiness, soothes the nerves; used in aromatics, sprays and perfumes, tea, and smudging rituals.

More Magic for Your Wedding

Visit one of the helpful articles below to add a dash of magic to your wedding ceremony

Boho & Rustic Latvian Wedding Inspired By Ancient Pagan Culture

When asked how they met, Laura and Girts always joke that they met on the internet, but really that’s just the beginning of their story. Girts had placed an advertisement on a local musicians page, looking for a rock band to join as a guitar player. Laura saw this and asked him why he would want to join an existing one, why don’t they start a new one instead. “Soon after that a few more musicians joined our crew, besides me, the drummer and Girts – the lead guitar player,” Laura told us. “Very soon something more than just a friendship developed between me and him. The band unfortunately didn’t last, but both our love story and friendship with fellow musicians did.” A decade later and the couple find themselves celebrating their wedding online, which is a nice full circle of events.

The couple planned the two-day celebration themselves, taking inspiration from ancient Latvian pagan culture and infusing it with boho and rustic aesthetics to match their personal style. Laura wore a Katya Katya London dress with Lilimill boots and a flower crown by Marta Egle, who also provided the bouquet and decor flowers. They spent €15,000 with most of their budget allocated to catering and location.

Their ceremony started with the official part of the proceedings at Dundaga Castle, purely for signing the wedding papers and making their marriage recognised by law. In Latvian tradition, the maid of honour is commonly married to the best man, who were the only people who attended this part of the ceremony.

They then moved onto the meadow next to their guest house for an ancient pagan ritual which can be literally translated as an Alignment ceremony. “Accompanied by a bagpipe player we entered a marked circle around the fire and a large stone,” Laura told us. “Only the closest family members, and the best men’s couple were able to come in that circle. The ritual of exchanging the rings was led by keepers of Latvian pagan traditions and in the end, we stood by each other’s side as married equals. Girts is a member of student fraternity Fraternitas Imantca hence his friends arranged a small ritual with roots in ancient chivalry. When we went out of the ceremony circle, they formed the gates of honour by using their rapiers for us to pass.”

Before their reception, the best man and maid of honour had organised some surprise time-out for the couple, which was much needed time to themselves in the hustle and bustle of the rest of their big day. They too a roofless car ride along the beach and a small picnic afterwards, before joining the rest of their guests for a beautiful candlelight reception.

“In Latvia it’s common that guests come with gifts and flowers but since we had the wedding far away from home and we didn’t want the flowers to go to waste, we encouraged our guests to bring self-made cakes or pastry. Hence, we didn’t have to order a wedding cake, but we had about 30 different delicious and unique cakes and sweet snacks instead.”

In retrospect, the only thing the couple would have done differently is hire a wedding planner. “As we planned our wedding ourselves it was a challenging and sometimes also a tiresome journey, especially doing so during a pandemic, but on the other hand we really enjoyed the small accomplishments and the process was often fun and rewarding as well. Meeting our best friends frequently and traveling around the country looking for the perfect place was our favourite part of planning. My advice for future couples is that everyone, especially parents and friends will have an opinion about what kind of wedding you should have. Listen to them, but ultimately do as you want because it’s your day!”

For example, spring weddings may include flowers such as daffodils and tulips, symbolizing new beginnings and fertility. Summer weddings may incorporate vibrant blooms like sunflowers and roses, signifying love and abundance. Autumn weddings often feature flowers like chrysanthemums and marigolds, representing change and transformation. Winter weddings may include evergreen plants and holly, symbolizing eternal life and protection. The colors of pagan wedding flowers also hold significance. Pagan belief systems often associate certain colors with specific spiritual qualities or elements. For instance, red flowers symbolize passion, love, and courage, while blue represents peace and tranquility. Yellow flowers are associated with joy, happiness, and abundance, whereas white symbolizes purity and protection. Furthermore, pagan wedding flowers can be arranged in various ways to enhance their symbolism and energy. Floral wreaths, bouquets, garlands, and table centerpieces are commonly used in pagan ceremonies. These arrangements can incorporate herbs, leaves, and other natural elements to enhance the overall spiritual significance. Ultimately, the selection and use of pagan wedding flowers are deeply meaningful and personal to the couple getting married. By incorporating these flowers into their ceremonies, they honor their pagan beliefs, connect with nature, and celebrate the sacredness of their union..

Reviews for "Enhancing Pagan Wedding Rituals with Flower Offerings"

1. John - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with the selection of flowers for my pagan wedding. The flowers looked wilted and old when they arrived, and some were even limp and falling apart. It was supposed to be a joyful celebration, but the poor quality of the flowers dampened the whole experience. I would not recommend Pagan Wedding Flowers to anyone looking for beautiful and fresh blooms for their special day.

2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for Pagan Wedding Flowers, but unfortunately, they fell short of my expectations. The customer service was subpar, with slow response times and little effort to accommodate my specific flower requests. Furthermore, the flowers themselves were average at best. They lacked the vibrancy and freshness I was hoping for, and some of them even started wilting before the ceremony was over. Overall, I was not impressed with Pagan Wedding Flowers and would not choose them again for any future events.

3. Emily - 1/5 stars - I had such a terrible experience with Pagan Wedding Flowers. Firstly, they completely messed up my order and delivered the wrong arrangements. When I contacted them to rectify the mistake, they were rude and unapologetic. On top of that, the quality of the flowers was poor. They looked like they had been sitting in a warehouse for weeks, and many of them were already wilted. I would not recommend Pagan Wedding Flowers to anyone if you want a stress-free and beautiful floral experience for your wedding day.

Floral Elements in Pagan Handfasting Ceremonies