HANDFASTING CEREMONY

Officiant: __________, will you share in __________’s pain and seek to alleviate it?

__________: I will.

Officiant: __________, will you share in __________s pain and seek to alleviate it?

K__________: I will.

Officiant: And so the binding is made.

Officiant:

__________, will you share in __________’s laughter and look for the brightness and the positive in __________? (I will.)
__________, will you share in __________’s laughter and look for the brightness and positive in __________? (I will.)
And so the binding is made.

Officiant:

__________, will you share in __________’s burdens so that your spirits may grow in this union? (I will.)
__________, will you share in __________’s burdens so that your spirits may grow in this union? (I will.)
And so the binding is made.

Officiant:

__________, will you share in __________’s dreams? (I will.)
__________, will you share in __________’s dreams? (I will.)
And so the binding is made.

Officiant:

__________, will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union? (I will.)

__________, will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union? (I will.)

And so the binding is made.

Officiant:

__________, will you honor __________ as an equal in this union? (I will.)

__________, will you honor __________ as an equal in this union? (I will.)

And so the binding is made.

ADDRESS, CONTINUED

__________ and __________, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. The bond of marriage is not formed by these cords, but rather by the vows you have made. For always you hold in your own hands the fate of this union. Above you are stars and below you is earth. Like stars your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow.

May these hands be blessed this day. May they always hold each other. May they have the strength to hang on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. May they remain tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. May they build a relationship founded in love, and rich in caring. May these hands be healer, protector, shelter, and guide for each other. (The Hands of the Couple, Traditional Handfasting Prayer, unknown)