Meaningful Handfasting Ceremony: Unique Ribbons and Reading

Many couples have asked for variations of the handfasting ceremony – it can be really nice, and combined with this reading from an anonymous source contributed by one couple, quite moving too. You need 6 ribbons (or one wider one), and a special pouch or box to keep the “fast”, or tied, ribbons in for eternity!

Please face each other and take each other’s hands, so that you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes to you. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will join your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it, support and encouragement to pursue your dreams, and comfort through difficult times. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Now you have exchanged rings as a symbol of the joining of your lives which have crossed in an eternal bond. You are about to cross hands as a further symbol of this bond.

As you enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make this ceremony reflect the ideals that are important to you.

With full awareness, and within this congregation of family and friends, you are declaring your intent to be joined. The promises made today will be woven as threads about you, to hold you together and support your union. These ties will stretch across the years and lives of your souls’ growth.

Do you seek to enter the ceremony of Handfasting?

The Light Blue Ribbon:

I ask you to face each other and lay right hand to right hand and left hand to left hand to form a cross. I ask you to look into each others’ eyes.

Will you share your burdens equally so that your spirits may grow in this union?

“ We will” - And so the binding is made.

The Silver Ribbon:

Will you dream together that you may turn hopes into new realities?

“ We will” - And so the binding is made.

The Red Ribbon:

Will you ignore jealousy and let the confidence in your love maintain its passion?

“ We will” - And so the binding is made.

The Green Ribbon:

Will you share each other’s laughter and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?

“ We will” - And so the binding is made.

The White Ribbon:

Will you share yourselves openly and honestly so that distrust will never shatter your peace?

“We will” - And so the binding is made.

The Dark Blue Ribbon:

Will you safeguard each other and support one another in the face of adversity?

“ We will” - And so the binding is made.

(The 6 ribbons are tied together in a single knot on top of the hands. The knot is twice tied so that it remains so when the hands are taken away).

As your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars, your love should be a constant source of light. Like the earth, your love should be a firm foundation from which to grow.

Please remove your hands from the ribbons.

The knot will now be placed in a pouch and will remain forever tied as a reminder of the lasting nature of your pledge to one another.