A Wiccan wedding is a ceremony in the Wiccan religion that celebrates the union of a couple in a sacred and meaningful way. Wicca is a modern pagan religious practice that emphasizes a connection with nature and the worship of various gods and goddesses. In a Wiccan wedding, the couple typically chooses a sacred outdoor location, such as a forest or garden, to hold the ceremony. The ceremony itself is often conducted by a priest or priestess who has been trained in Wiccan traditions and rituals. Many Wiccan weddings incorporate elements of nature, such as flowers, herbs, and stones, to symbolize the earth's blessings and the energy of the natural world. These elements are often used to create a sacred space for the ceremony and to create an altar where the couple can make their vows.
How to Perform a Wiccan Wedding
A Wiccan wedding is known as a Handfasting Ceremony. Handfasting is the ancient Scottish custom of tying a betrothed couple’s hands together and keeping them that way for a year. If they were still together at the end of that year, they would then be officially married.
Although based on timeless and powerful ritual, a Wiccan Wedding or Handfasting is not accepted as a legal marriage in some countries. In those places, couples should also perform a short legal ceremony. There are several traditions that usually accompany a Handfasting but, as the rite is extremely personal for each couple, there is also a great deal of flexibility regarding which rituals will be included in each individual ceremony. Wiccan Weddings are usually presided over by a priest and a priestess, whose job is to implement the rituals.
A Wiccan Wedding can be held at any time of the year although certain feast days, like Litha (the Summer Solstice) or Beltane (Mayday), are considered most popular as the weather is good. Weather is an important factor for a Handfasting as most ceremonies are held outside. The bride and groom need not dress in any particular outfits but certain choices are seen more often than others including long, light colored dresses for the bride and either traditional dress, if applicable, or an embroidered shirt and pants, or kilt, for the groom.
A circle is cast before the Wiccan Wedding ceremony begins and the presiding priestess walks the boundaries of the circle and marks it with a ritual knife, the athame, while calling on the four elements and the God and Goddess to bless both the circle and the ceremony. The couple moves to before the altar, with the bride to the groom’s right, and the bride’s left hand is tied to the groom’s right hand with the traditional red Handfasting cord. This cord will be given to the couple after they are married and will serve to remind them of their everlasting passion for each other.
The priest and priestess then assist the couple with the exchange of vows, often reciting their vows for them, and it is at this point that the bride and groom usually exchange rings, which are placed on the bride and groom’s left ring fingers. The Element Quest is then performed with the couple invoking each of the elements in turn – air, fire, water and earth and beginning with air in the east – to bless their union. After the quest has been completed, the priest and priestess call upon the presiding deities to bless the Wiccan Wedding ceremony.
At this point in the Wiccan Wedding ceremony, the couple is required to jump over the ceremonial broomstick and this can be quite an amusing sight as the couple holding the broomstick is free to adjust the broomstick’s height while the bride and groom, who are still tied together, are jumping. Wine and small cakes are then blessed and shared by the couple and their guests and, after the officiating powers and the elements have been thanked, the priest and priestess formally open the circle by what is known as reverse casting.
At this point in some Handfastings, the new husband and wife give small gifts to their guests to thank them for sharing their most important day with them. The parties then move on to the wedding feast, at which it is traditional to serve organic and natural foods.
Wiccan Handfasting is a magical and enchanting ceremony and, by choosing to go with a non-traditional wedding, a couple is only showing how strong their commitment to each other and to their belief system actually is.
For a more in depth view of hand-fasting the ULC Catalog offers Handfasting and Wedding Rituals by Raven Kaldera
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Handfastings
Are you interested in a handfasting? Great, I can help.
A handfasting is an old Pagan custom, dating back to the time of the ancient Celts. Handfastings were originally more like an engagement period, where two people would declare a binding union between themselves for a year and a day. The original handfasting was a trial marriage. It gave the couple the chance to see if they could survive marriage to each other. After a year goes by (a handfasting was once believed to last a year and a day), the couple could either split as if they had never been married or could decide to enter permanently into marriage.
Today, Wiccans and Pagans have embraced handfastings as a part of their wedding ceremony and the ceremony can be tailor made to suit the couple.
The Handfasting Ceremony
There are many variations of the traditional handfasting. After the bride and groom both declare their intent to enter into this union, the hands of the couple are clasped and fastened together with cords as their vows are made to one another. The wrapping of the cord forms an infinity symbol. The handfasting knot that is tied is a symbolic representation of oneness between the couple. In a show of unity, they become bound to each other.
Each Wiccan and Pagan path has different decrees concerning the colour, length, type and number of cords used to handfast the couple. The Wiccan Lady can make cords to suit your colour scheme.
There are many variations to a handfasting rite. It all depends on the bride, groom and the High Priestess whom they chose to preside over their wedding ceremony and arrangements should be agreed with all 3 people.
The handfasting ritual is a beautiful, magical rite of passage, At the Wiccan Lady, no 2 are the same, making it a truly special occasion for all who attend. Many non-Pagan and non-Wiccan couples are also adopting this old custom, such as Prince William at his own wedding.
Wiccan wedding
WICCAN HANDFASTING (WEDDING) CEREMONY
Compliments of Lord Starwalker
This ceremony can be used either for a legal marriage or a just plain handfasting. Remember, if it is a legal marriage, the words" I now pronounce you husband and wife" must appear at the end of the ceremony, otherwise, the marriage is counted as not having been performed. Remember also, that for a legal marriage, there must be two witnesses, other than the High Priest and Priestess.
A hand-fasting ceremony is usually (but not necessarily) performed for one year and a day, and then renewed at that time if both participants approve it. Some, however, perform a hand-fasting for 9 years (another magickal number), at which time it may be renewed. Remember, if a hand-fasting is to end at the end of these times, a hand-parting ceremony must be performed, to undo the marriage. If it is a legal marriage, it is still a good idea to perform the hand-parting ceremony after the divorce, if it comes to that. We hope it doesn't. Also please remember, that there is responsibility on the part of both parents if there are children involved. Since there is not a legal marriage, arrangements MUST be made to continue child support, visitation with the children, etc. Both parents must be an integral part of their children’s lives, even if the parents don't get along all that well together. Children need both a father and a mother, and they need to be supported. Believe it or not, in Wicca, this has never been a problem. It just seems to work out, perhaps because of the Law of Three.
And now to the ceremony. This is the main one that I use, however some participants request a different ceremony, so be prepared.
THE PREPARATION
The Circle is outlined, and the altar decorated, with flowers; but a gateway is left in the North-East of the Circle, with flowers to hand for closing it.
The broomstick is kept ready beside the altar.
The cauldron, filled with flowers, is placed by the West candle--West representing Water, the element of love.
The opening Ritual is conducted normally (see the Full Moon Ritual), except that (a) the bride and groom remain outside the gateway, which is not closed yet, and (b) the Charge is not given yet.
After the "Great God Cernunnos" invocation, the High Priestess brings in the groom, and the High Priest the bride, each with a kiss. The High Priest then closes the gateway with flowers, and the High Priestess closes it ritually with the sword or athame.
The High Priestess and High Priest stand with their backs to the altar. The groom faces the High Priestess, and the bride the High Priest, in the centre of the Circle.
The High Priestess asks:
"Who comes to be joined together in the presence of the Goddess? What is thy name, O Man?"
The groom answers:
"My name is __________."
The High Priest asks:
"Who comes to be joined together in the presence3 of the God? What is thy name, O Woman?"
The bride answers:
"My name is__________."
The High Priestess says:
"________and_________, we greet you with joy."
The coven circle round the bride and groom to the Witches Rune; then all return to their places.
The High Priestess says:
"Unity is balance, and balance is unity. Hear then, and understand."
She picks up the wand and continues:
"The wand that I hold is the symbol of Air. Know and remember that this is the element of Life, of intelligence, of the inspiration which moves us onwards. By this wand of Air, we bring to your hand-fasting the power of Mind."
She lays down the wand. The High Pirest picks up the sword and says:
"The sword that I hold is the symbol of Fire. Know and remember that this is the element of Light, of energy, of the vigour which runs through our veins. By this sword of Fire, we bring to your hand-fasting the power of Will."
He lays down the sword. The High Priestess picks up the chalice and says:
"The chalice that I hold is the symbol of water. Know and remember, that this is the element of Love, of growth, of the fruitfullness of the great Mother. By this chalice of Water, we bring to your hand-fasting the power of Desire."
She lays down the chalice. The High Priest picks up the pentacle and says:
"The pentacle that I hold is the symbol of Earth. Know and remember, that this is the element of Law, of endurance, of the understanding which cannot be shaken. By the pentacle of Earth, we bring to your hand-fasting the power of the Steadfast."
He lays down the pentacle, and continues:
"Listen to the words of the Great Mother. " etc., to introduce the Charge.
The High Priest and High Priestess deliver the Charge, in the usual way. When it is finished, the High Priest says:
"Golden Aphrodite cometh not as the virgin, the victim, but as the Awakener, the Desirous One. As outer space she calls, and the All-Father commences the courtship. She awakeneth Him to desire, and the worlds are created. How powerful is she, golden Aphrodite, the awakener of manhood!"
The High Priestess says:
"But all these things are one thing. All the goddesses are one goddess, and we call her Isis, the All-woman, in whose nature all natural things are found; virgin and desirous by turn; giver of life and bringer-in of death. She is the cause of all creation, for she awakeneth the desire of the All-Father, and for her sake He createth. Likewise, the wise call all women Isis."
The High Priest says:
"In the face of every woman, let man look for the features of the Great Goddess, watching her phases through the flow and return of the tides to which his soul answereth; listening for her call."
The High Priestess says:
"O daughter of Isis, adore the Goddess, and in her name give the call that awakens and rejoices. So shalt thou be blessed of the Goddess, and live with the fullness of life. Let the Bride show forth the Goddess to him who loves her. Let her assume the crown of the underworld. Let her arise all glorious and golden from the sea of the primordial and call unto him to come forth, to come to her. Let hr do these things in the name of the Goddess, and she shall be even as the Goddess unto him; for the Goddess will speaking through her. All-powerful on the Outer, as golden Aphrodite. So shall she be a priestess in the eyes of the worshipper of the Goddess, who by his faith and dedication shall find the Goddess in her. For the rite of Isis is life, and what whi8ch is done as a rite shall show forth in life. By the rite is the Godddess drawn down to her worshippers; her power enters into them, and they become the substance of the sacrament."
The High Priest says to the bride:
"Say after me: 'By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, in the name of the Goddess, I, __________, take thee,_____, to my hand, my heart and my spirit, at the setting of the sun and the rising of the stars. (Please see note at the end of this ceremony) Nor shall death part us; for in the fullness of time we shall be born again at the same time and in the same place as each other; and we shall meet, and know, and remember, and love again.' "
The bride repeats each phrase after the High Priest, taking the groom's right hand in her own right hand as she speaks.
The High Priestess says to the groom:
"Say after me: 'By seed and root, by bud and stem. . . . ..' " etc., as above.
The groom repeats each phrase after the High Priestess, retaining the bride's right hand in his own.
If the couple wishes to exchange rings, this is now done.
The High Priest says:
"Let the sun and the moon and the stars, and these our brothers and sisters, bear witness; that _______ and _______ have been joined together in the sight of the God and the Goddess. And may the God and the Goddess bless them, as we do ourselves."
If this is a legal marriage, then at this point the High Priest says:
"I now pronounce you Husband and Wife."
All say:
"So mote it be."
The High Priestess takes the broom stick and lays it down on the ground before the couple, who jump over it hand in hand. The High Priestess, then picks up the broomstick and ritually sweeps the Circle clear of all evil influences,.
The couple now enact the Great Rite, and it is entirely their choice whether is should be symbolic or actual. If it is actual, the High Priestess leads the coven out of the room, instead of the Maiden, as is usual. If the ceremony is held outdoors, you might want to postpone the Great Rite until a more appropriate time.
After the Great Rite, the couple consecrate the wine and cakes (or the cakes only if the Great Rite has been symbolic, in which case the wine will already have been consecrated). The proceedings then become informal.
If the feast includes a hand-fasting cake, tradition says that this is the one occasion when the coven's ritual sword may be used for actual cutting.
These elements are often used to create a sacred space for the ceremony and to create an altar where the couple can make their vows. Wiccan weddings often include rituals and traditions that are unique to the religion. For example, the couple may choose to incorporate the "handfasting" ritual, which involves the couple's hands being tied together with a piece of ribbon or cord to symbolize their union.
This ritual can be traced back to medieval times and is still practiced by many Wiccans today. The couple may also choose to include other rituals or traditions that are personally significant to them, such as the lighting of a unity candle or the exchange of symbolic gifts. These rituals serve to deepen the couple's connection to each other and to the spiritual aspects of their relationship. Wiccan weddings are often characterized by a sense of joy and celebration, as well as a reverence for the natural world and the divine. The ceremonies are usually intimate and personalized, and often include the participation of close friends and family members. Overall, a Wiccan wedding is a unique and meaningful way for a couple to celebrate their love and commitment to each other within the context of their faith..
Reviews for "Exchanging Magickal Rings: Symbolism and Customs in Wiccan Wedding Exchanges"
1. Jenny - 1/5 - I was extremely disappointed with "Wiccan Wedding". The story was poorly written and the characters were one-dimensional. It felt like the author only scratched the surface of the Wiccan belief system and didn't offer any deep insights. The plot was predictable and lacked any real substance. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of my time and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
2. Mark - 2/5 - "Wiccan Wedding" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The writing style was clunky and the pacing was incredibly slow. I found myself losing interest in the story halfway through and had to force myself to finish it. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. While I appreciate the effort to explore Wiccan practices, the execution fell flat. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you have a strong interest in Wicca.
3. Rebecca - 2/5 - I really wanted to like "Wiccan Wedding" as I find Wicca fascinating, but unfortunately, I found this book lacking. The romance felt forced and unrealistic, with little build-up or chemistry between the characters. The dialogue was stilted and didn't flow naturally. Moreover, the Wiccan elements seemed superficial and stereotypical. I wish the author had delved deeper into the Wiccan practices and beliefs, rather than just using them as a backdrop for a mediocre romance novel. Disappointing read overall.
4. Sam - 1/5 - I found "Wiccan Wedding" to be a poorly executed attempt at capturing the essence of Wicca. The portrayal of Wiccan rituals and beliefs felt superficial and lacked authenticity. The characters were unrelatable and their actions often felt contrived. The plot was predictable, lacking any originality or depth. The writing style was dull and uninspired, making it a struggle to get through the book. I would not recommend "Wiccan Wedding" to anyone seeking a well-written and accurate representation of Wiccan practices.