has any one ever done?

Question

a haandfasting wedding

oops handfasting

what is it like

Answer 1

Yes...I even wrote one for others to use.

Each bring with you to the ceremony:

1. A small piece of a blanket that has warmed you--That there should
always be warmth through any cold nights the future might bring.

2. A small piece of earth from your home place--That you know the earth
that nurtured you will always be with you.

3. A small piece natural food--That your bonding shall never know hunger.

4. A coin or bill--That the bonding may know shared prosperity.

5. Some small article that is yours and has been for a long while--So
that each is always sharing that which was once their's alone.

6. A single hair--That each shall know there is always part of them
with the other.

7. A small folded piece of paper or parchment with a message written
to the other...That the emotion of this day will never be lost.

Place these things, one at a time, in a bag made of natural material,
while the reason for their placing is recited by the one who officiates.
A simple cord should be around the neck of the bag. The one who officiates
makes the first loop of the knot then hands the ends to each who
would bond. They pull the ends while saying, "What was two, is now one
and together." The one who officiates takes the ends from them and tightly
ties a second loop while saying, "Thus it is sealed, thus it is so."

Some say the bag should be placed above the door of the dwelling, and some say on a shelf, but it should always be in easy sight.

Answer 2

My sister and brother-in-law made their own sort of ceremony and combined handfasting traditions, a rose ceremony, tibetan energy clearing bells, etc. It was beautiful!
They had a unitarian "clergy" member perform it, as they are typically accepting of all beliefs, and can still legally marry a couple.

Answer 3

Yes.
The wedding varies according to the couple's beliefs. I've done straight uew (http://www.cuew.org,) Celtic and an atheist wedding.

Regardless of the couple, they still get the counselling aspect of the UEW ceremony with me, or I won't do it.

Answer 4

no