Wedding & handfasting in skaneateles, ny - august 20, 2022
Cleanse whole area w/ sage before guests are seated
Walk down the aisle (Me, Dalton, Best Man, Groomsmen, Ringbearer, Bridesmaids, Maid of Honor, Flower Girls)
“Please rise”
Bride and Father of the Bride
“You may be seated”
“Welcome, beloved family and friends, to the marriage of Bride and Groom. Bride, do you come here today to be married to this man? (Bride responds affirmatively) Groom, do you come here today to be married to this woman?” (Groom responds affirmatively)
Cast circle-
I call upon the Gods and Goddesses of the East
Spirits of Air (raise feather fan)
Join us in these sacred rites
I call upon the Gods and Goddesses of the South
Spirits of Fire (light main candle)
Join us in these sacred rites
I call upon the Gods and Goddesses of the West
Spirits of Water (pour liquid into chalice)
Join us in these sacred rites
I call upon the Gods and Goddesses of the North
Spirits of Earth (raise crystal/stone)
Join us in these sacred rites
Beloved ancestors, Spirits of those who have gone before us
(raise handfasting cord)
Join us and bless these, your descendants,
As they join together in these sacred rites of marriage.
Blessed Be.
Please join your right hands. This cord not only binds your hands, but also binds the vows you speak to one another today, much as our ancestors did to promise themselves to one another.
Lay cord over your joined hands.
“May I have the rings?”
Exchange vows and rings
Smudge Bride and Groom with fan and sage
“May the blessings of Air-communication and the Breath of Life, be with you today and everyday”
Hand Bride and Groom lit taper
“May the blessings of Fire- passion and the Spark of Life, be with you today and always”
(light unity candle)
Hold up chalice
“May the blessings of Water-deep understanding and the Blood of Life, be with you today and forever more.”
(Bride and Groom drink from chalice )
Bride and Groom hold crystal
“May the blessings of Earth, strength and the Cradle of Life, be with you today and through all time.”
“May you paths be smooth
And the weather be fair
May your hearts fill with joy
And never a care
May your friends be many
And the good times last
And may you look fondly
Upon the past
May life be kind
And love be true
May the Lord and Lady’s blessings
Shine upon you”
Tie the knot
(for cakes and ale, the wedding party hands these out to the guests)
“May all within our sight and within our hearts, never hunger or thirst” (everyone eats and drinks)
"By the Power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Take a portion of cakes and ale to the altar.
“Ancestors! Gods and Goddesses of the North, the West, the South, and the East! We thank you for joining us in these rites and celebration of marriage. Hail and Farewell.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce to you, Mr and Mrs Groom”
Bride and Groom, turn to face the guests
I will place the broom in front of them.
“Your first step, into this new life, begins with a leap”
Broom jump
Walk down the aisle (Me, Dalton, Best Man, Groomsmen, Ringbearer, Bridesmaids, Maid of Honor, Flower Girls)
“Please rise”
Bride and Father of the Bride
“You may be seated”
“Welcome, beloved family and friends, to the marriage of Bride and Groom. Bride, do you come here today to be married to this man? (Bride responds affirmatively) Groom, do you come here today to be married to this woman?” (Groom responds affirmatively)
Cast circle-
I call upon the Gods and Goddesses of the East
Spirits of Air (raise feather fan)
Join us in these sacred rites
I call upon the Gods and Goddesses of the South
Spirits of Fire (light main candle)
Join us in these sacred rites
I call upon the Gods and Goddesses of the West
Spirits of Water (pour liquid into chalice)
Join us in these sacred rites
I call upon the Gods and Goddesses of the North
Spirits of Earth (raise crystal/stone)
Join us in these sacred rites
Beloved ancestors, Spirits of those who have gone before us
(raise handfasting cord)
Join us and bless these, your descendants,
As they join together in these sacred rites of marriage.
Blessed Be.
Please join your right hands. This cord not only binds your hands, but also binds the vows you speak to one another today, much as our ancestors did to promise themselves to one another.
Lay cord over your joined hands.
“May I have the rings?”
Exchange vows and rings
Smudge Bride and Groom with fan and sage
“May the blessings of Air-communication and the Breath of Life, be with you today and everyday”
Hand Bride and Groom lit taper
“May the blessings of Fire- passion and the Spark of Life, be with you today and always”
(light unity candle)
Hold up chalice
“May the blessings of Water-deep understanding and the Blood of Life, be with you today and forever more.”
(Bride and Groom drink from chalice )
Bride and Groom hold crystal
“May the blessings of Earth, strength and the Cradle of Life, be with you today and through all time.”
“May you paths be smooth
And the weather be fair
May your hearts fill with joy
And never a care
May your friends be many
And the good times last
And may you look fondly
Upon the past
May life be kind
And love be true
May the Lord and Lady’s blessings
Shine upon you”
Tie the knot
(for cakes and ale, the wedding party hands these out to the guests)
“May all within our sight and within our hearts, never hunger or thirst” (everyone eats and drinks)
"By the Power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Take a portion of cakes and ale to the altar.
“Ancestors! Gods and Goddesses of the North, the West, the South, and the East! We thank you for joining us in these rites and celebration of marriage. Hail and Farewell.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce to you, Mr and Mrs Groom”
Bride and Groom, turn to face the guests
I will place the broom in front of them.
“Your first step, into this new life, begins with a leap”
Broom jump