Hand-fasting
Hand-fasting is a medieval and ancient Celtic custom, especially common in Scotland and Ireland, in which two people came together at the start of their marriage relationship to show that they intended to marry of their own free will.
You will no doubt have heard people speaking about “tying the knot”, Hand-fasting is where this phrase comes from.
The couple hold hands while facing each other and their hands are wrapped or tied in a knot. Couples choose tartan or a colour which symbolises something special to them.
Unity Candles
The Candle ceremony is for the couple to light the main candle from their own candles.
Family and friends can also be invited to light their own candles from the unity candle as a symbolic act of togetherness and the merging of two families.
The Oathing Stone
The Oathing Stone is an old Scottish or Celtic tradition. It’s taken from the ancient Celtic custom of setting an oath in stone.
During the declaration of vows or promises the couple both hold the stone in their hands. It is believed that holding the stone during the vows sets them in stone.
You can use any stone for a Oathing Stone. it’s even better if the couple collects a stone from a special or favourite place.
The stone can be engraved with anything, for example, Celtic knots, the date of the ceremony or the couples initials.
The Sand Ceremony
The sand ceremony symbolises, through the two different coloured sand, two lives coming together as one.
The couple pour the sand together which allows the coloured sand to blend.
it’s great for blended families because it allows the children to participate with a different colour, each to show that they are part of the family too.
The Quaich
A Quaich is a Scottish traditional two handled cup. The Quaich is often referred to as the love cup as you each take a handle to take a drink, showing you trust one another to share the cup. You can fill the cup with a drink of your choice, usually whisky or you can combine two drinks symbolising the two of you becoming one. They also used the Quaich at the reception for their first toast together.
Symbolic of the sharing between the couple, it’s an ancient vessel used by two families or clans, to celebrate a bond, with each leader partaking of the offered drink.