does any one know the best way to have a pagan wedding?

Question

i am a pagan and i am thinking about getting married but not sure how to do it

Answer 1

Needs a man and a woman.

Answer 2

Hi,
I am Pagan and married so i will help you however I can.

1. When to get married?
Many Pagans feel an importance to the connection with God and Goddess at the time of their wedding like a Sabbat or Esebat.

My husband and I got married at dusk on the night of the full moon by torchlight. Many other people choose May 1st because of the Great Marriage, but depending on geographical location may not be suitable.

2. Where to get married?

Most Pagans find that an outdoor wedding is more accurate portrayal of their beliefs and helps with the attunement of nature.
Contact your local Park service to find park areas or if there is a Pagan Sanctuary nearby you might check there. If you are lucky enough to have friends or family members with land you might be able to have it there as well. Pick a place you feel connected with. My husband and I got married at a park in the countryside outside of the town that we lived in. The park is ripe with spritual energy. And the best part was the expense was minimal. A refundable $25 deposit was all that was required.

3. Who to get married by?
If you check http://www.witchvox.com/ you can find listings of clergy that may be able to assist you in your vows. I there is no clergy listing nearby, you still have a few options. The Universalist Unitarians are a church of all faiths. They condone and appreciate Pagan paths. http://www.uua.org/ http://www.cuups.org/content2/

4. How to get married?
This is entirely up to you. I will leave some links so you can make up your own mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGaKhlnjwUg
http://www.handfasting.info/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738704709/sr=8-1/qid=1156806997/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-2092855-2873655?ie=UTF8

HOpe this helps. Have fun

Answer 3

Well, Merry Meet!

The best pagan ceremonies/rituals are the ones you write- becuase it is unique to you, and tehrfore, it is you- but it is also the gods, in their purest form, within you.

The best way is to research Handfasting. You might find a couple variations that will give you a general idea on what alot of other people do- then, you may choose to either use some of the ideas and not the others, or just choose one you like, or write a completely new one.

Also, I would advise contacting a local coven- you can usually do this by going into one of your pagan/wiccan/metaphysical supplies store- tehy usually have listings of open sabbats that are being held. Also, you can go to http://witchvox.com and search for local covens as well- you will need to get in touch with a high priestess and/or high priest.

If you decide to write on all your own, you'll need to go over it with whoever is performing the wedding.

I hope this was helpful, and I wish you the best of luck!

If you have any further questions, feel free to email me- [e-mail]

Answer 4

You must be a solitary if you are asking this question.

You will need to find priesthood in the pagan community who will perform a hand-fasting for you. This is the pagan wedding ceremony that not only joins you in this life, but as you are being introduced to the Gods as a married couple, joins you in the next life as well. With that in mind, be sure this is the person you want to share you life with now and into the next life.

Answer 5

There are tons of books you can look through or buy. Alternative Weddings by Jane Ross-Mcdonald is one that I used. Also, do you want to do a handfasting or a more traditional wedding? They can be very different. You can call up a circle if you want, or have candles for the 4 directions on a table and light those. There are so many things you can do! We had a handfasting on Sept 17, 2003 and got married on Sept 18, 2004 so we had the minister read what was read at out handfasting. Here it is:
Handfasting is an ancient tradition which refers to one of two types of ceremonies, either a "wedding" or a betrothal of a year and a day, which the participants can then decide to renew or not at the end of that period. On September 17, 2003, Tom and Becka were handfasted. The following was read on that day.

Reading #1
True love is a sacred flame
That burns eternally,
And none can dim its special glow
Or change its destiny.
True love speaks in tender tones
And hears with gentle ear.
True love gives with open heart
And true love conquers fear.
True love makes no harsh demands -
It neither rules nor binds;
And true love holds with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines.

It is now a year and a day later, and we welcome you, friends and family of this happy couple. We come here today to witness the joyous celebration of the love between Tom and Becka, supporting them in their decision to be joined as one in the presence of our company.

Answer 6

There isn't only one "best" way to have a pagan wedding or handfasting. Include what matters most to the two of you. One of the books that I got ideas from was "Handfasting and Wedding Rituals" by Raven Kaldera & Tannin Schwartzstein.

We chose a small ceremony in the shelterhouse of a beautiful state park. We had a fire in the fireplace and included lots of fresh mistletoe. We wrote our own vows and chose the middle of October because that is when the leaves are in their peak color---now every year when the leaves change it is a reminder that we've spent another year together. Our rings are inscribed with ogham. These are simply some of the elements that are important to us. YMMV

Some websites you may find interesting:
http://www.handfasting.info/index.html
http://ladyoftheearth.com/handfasting/handfasting.html
http://home.kc.rr.com/gemstone/weddings.html
http://www.tellallproductions.com/superstition/
http://members.tripod.com/~simplyuniquegifts0/mtoe-bulk.html
(have fresh mistletoe delivered as close as possible to the date you wish to use it)
Best of Luck!

Answer 7

As a side note to people talking about the pagan community--if you don't have many people nearby who you can talk to, I suggest seeing if you have a UU church around. I attended a pagan wedding a few years back performed by a UU minister, and although you may not want it performed by someone affiliated with a church per se, they should be able to give you more information, resources, and quite likely contacts.

Answer 8

If you are a citizen of Pagan why not go home to get married. Are you from Pagan that was the old capital of Burma or the volcanic Pagan in the Mariana Islands?

Answer 9

I would consult a Pagan Wedding Planner.

Answer 10

Go to http://www.witchvox.com and look at their clergy listings for your local area. Many localities also have local listings, in my area we have http://www.motorcitypagans.net. Anyway, finding a local clergy person will be a big help. They'll usually sit down with you and help plan out the ritual start to finish.
Also, Raven Keldera has a book out about Pagan weddings. Check it out.

Answer 11

I don't know about any "best" way, but it's my understanding that pagans are very in touch with nature? I'd suggest maybe early autumn, outside in the most beautiful setting you can find...perhaps barefoot too.
Congratulations, and good luck!