I wrote most of our wedding ceremony, and Gwynhyvar my hps, made a few corrections (okay, okay,
she made more than a few). Keep in mind, this was my first ritual I'd ever written, and I did
my best. We also had done the year and a day handfasting one year exactly before the wedding.
My family is Christian, and they absolutely loved this ceremony!!
Since my father passed away about 9 years ago, and my children and I had been involved in a
rather not-so-loving relationship for so long, I decided to make a little twist to the ceremony
that I hope you will enjoy!
HP lays the broom in NE corner. Cut the door, lay sword crossing broom.
Crone stands outside of circle at door, blocking the way.
Groom & Bride approach the Crone
Crone: Why do you return to this circle?
Groom: We wish now to make a life-long commitment.
Crone: I still don't think you're ready.
Bride: Nobody truly is, Wise Crone, but with the love, hard work, and sincerity we have learned in
the past year, we believe we are ready.
Flower Maidens are just inside circle, bouncing in anticipation.
Crone: You're not able to do it.
Flower Maidens are still trying to get Crone's attention.
Finally, Crone looks at FM.
Crone: What???
Flower Maidens: Please let them in! They've learned well during their handfasting!
Crone: You think so?
Flower Maidens: YES!!
Crone: thinking So you really want to be wed?
Bride & Groom: yes
Crone: watching couple intenly for a moment So be it! Be wed with my blessings!
One Flower Maiden grabs Brides hand, one Flower Maiden grabs Grooms hand and pulls them into the circle,
almost off their feet, dragging them to the altar.
Crone laughs at Flower Maiden antics
HP: We call to the elementals of life to bless this couple on their journey.
bride and groom go to the quarters in turn to receive their blessings
North: Welcome, O'powers of Earth! Bless this man, this woman with thy strength and
wisdom, to be theirs as long as love lasts! puts salt into wedding jar
East: Welcome, O'powers of Air! With clever fingers weave tightly the bonds of Heart, Spirit and
Love between these two! Let none undo the fabric of their love! puts smudge into wedding jar
South: Welcome, O'powers of Fire! Ignite the Passion and the Love for this blessed pair. Ever
burning, yet never consuming one or the other! puts burning stick into wedding jar
West: Welcome, O'powers of Water! Bless this couple with a love as deep as any ocean! May
richness of body, of soul and of spirit be theirs ever more! puts water into wedding jar
Bride and Groom return to the altar
HPS: Great Goddess, we call upon you in the guise of Aphrodite, always desirous one, sensual lover,
to join us here and witness the bonding of Bride and Groom.
HP: Great God, we call upon you in the guise of Eros, kindler of desire, bringer of love, to join
us here and witness the bonding of Bride and Groom.
We have come together here in celebration of the joining of Bride and Groom. It is
our hope that the Lord and Lady smile upon this union, and bless this couple with health and prosperity!
May neither take advantage of the other. For remember what one may not provide, the other may!
HPS: Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with
any aspect of life, it has its cycles, it ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full
understanding of this, Groom and Bride have come here today to be joined as one in marriage.
I now ask you, Bride, do you come here of your own free will?
Bride: Yes
HPS: Know this, that I cannot bind you to Groom, only you can do this. Do you wish to bind
this man?
Bride: I do
HPS: Groom, do you come here of your own free will?
Groom: I do
HPS: Know this, that I cannot bind you to Bride, only you can do this. Do you wish to bind
this woman?
Groom: i do
HP: If any would ask why these two should not be joined let them stand before the Gods and those
assembled here and speak now.
Bride's Son: I would speak! I have questions to ask of you Groom!
Wields foil and points it at Groom's chest
Would you ever intentionally hurt me or my sisters in any way?
Would you ever intentionally hurt my mother in any way?
Do you Love her?
points foil at brideYou sure you really want to marry HER????
[Side note here: the last question had the desired effect on everyone...it broke the tension and made
everyone laugh!!!]
HP: Above you are the stars, below you the stones, as time does pass, remember....like a star,
your love should be constant, like a stone, your love should be firm.
HPS: Be close, yet not to close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience, each with
the other, for storms will come, yet also will they pass. Be free in giving of affection and warmth. Love
each other totally and without reservation.
HP: Have no fear, and let not the wods of the unenlightened give you unease, for the God and
Goddess are with you and have blessed this union with their love and presence.
HPS: Take now your rings and place them on each other's hand. These rings are without beginning or
end. Now placed, they represent a seal of your love and respect for each other.
Vows:
As long as there are stars in the sky, ground under my feet, and air to breathe, I promise to hold your
love for me close to my heart and to be faithful, respectful, loving, and stand by you forever. I
have only this ring to give to you as a symbol of my love for you. Will you accept this token of my
love?
Bride and Groom face each other, HPS takes Groom's right hand and Bride's left hand and places them
together. HP binds their hands in cord.
Bride and Groom in unison: Heart to thee, soul to thee, body to thee, forever and always so mote it be.
Coven: So mote it be
HPS: As this man and this woman have been bound to each other with these cords, let their fates and future
be so bound. May they hold fast to each other, even as they are now held fast. Remove the cords and give
them to Groom & Bride Blessed Goddess and Loving God, look with joy on this Union of this man and this
woman. Grant them harmony and beauty in their lives and let them be always mindful of their commitment, one
to the other. Let them so live together that their joy of each other will be a shining beacon for all to
see. Give to these two your love and protection. As the God and Goddess and those gathered here are witness
to these rites, I now proclaim you to be wed, one to the other. So mote it be.
HP: You may now share your first kiss as husband and wife.
HPS: offering Chalice to couple to drink from This is your first drink together as man and wife.
May you never thirst.
HP: offering Bread to couple to eat from This is your first food together as man and wife. May
you never hunger.
HP & HPS: walk Groom and Bride around the circle I present to you Mrs. Bride and her husband,
Mr. Groom. Then lead them to broom and sword with HPS taking broom and HP taking the sword, the Bride and
Groom then jump the sword and broom.
HPS: We thank you Aphrodite, for your presence here this day. And ask, as you take your leave, we ask that you
leave among us, in each of us, the ability to be sensual lover, and desirous one. Hail and farewell.
HP: We thank you Eros, for your presence here this day. And ask, as you take your leave, that you leave
in each of us, the ability to be a Bringer of desire, and kindler of love. Hail and farewell.
HPS: We thank the elementals of life for their attendance this night and ask they go forth and herald this union.
West: Hail O'powers of Water! We thank thee for thy attention! Sally forth and announce to all this union!
South: Hail O'powers of Fire! We thank thee for thy attention! Sally forth and announce to all this union!
East: Hail O'powers of Air! We thank thee for thy attention! Sally forth and announce to all this union!
North: Hail O'powers of Earth! We thank thee for thy attention! Sally forth and announce to all this union!
All sing:
The circle is open, but unbroken, may the love of the Goddess be forever in your heart!
repeat until HPS finishes opening the circle.
HPS: The circle is open but unbroken.