I have spent many years participating in Public rituals, writing and conducting public and private rituals and ceremonies. I have studied with some wonderful people, and learned a lot from experience, and I love to hold sacred space for people. Despite being ordained Wiccan Clergy, my own style is ecclectic, which leaves me free to adapt rather than be regulated by doctrine. Basically, I do what I know, and what feels right.

 

These days, many ceremonies include pagan related rituals that have been modified for use by everyday people.

And that's fine, the ritual is still symbolic and beautiful no matter who is using it.

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But there is a magick in doing ritual properly, and you don't need to be pagan or even spiritual to see and feel the energy.

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There is something special about ritual and ceremony in sacred space. A circle of Love created and cast around the couple, calling in and honouring the ancestors. Pagan Wedding Ceremonies can be as ornate or as simple as any other.

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So what makes a pagan wedding ceremony, different to a regular wedding?

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Casting Circle - Creating Sacred Space

 

This is the big difference. When I do a full Pagan Handfasting Wedding Ceremony, I cast circle depending on what the couple desire. Sometimes it is a full circle around the entire are, and often it is a small circle for the couple to stand in. Most of the time the circle will be clearly defined so that people do not enter, and guests will often stand or sit around the outside of the circle to watch. It's a very different set up to a standard ceremony where the couple is up the front with the celebrant and the guests watching from one direction.

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Calling in the God/Goddess, Ancestors and Elements

 

A standard civil wedding ceremony won't have the ritualistic invocations, circle casting or focus on Spirit, Gods, Goddess, Elements or Directions. Most of the general public would know little about creating a ritual space or conducting a ceremony. They have no interest in it, however I do. That is what I do.

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Handfasting

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Yes I know, handfasting is becoming very common and popular - and that makes me happy. The symbolic meaning behind the tying of the knot is profound and beautiful, and it deserves to be shared. Handfasting in neopagan traditions has lots of meaning attached, from the chosen cord colours, to the person who does the tying - even the way the cords are draped. Again, a standard ceremony won't normally have this in-depth knowledge.

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Cakes & Ale/ Besom Jump

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Sharing a cup of wine is more than just a toast, there are many associations that have come from traditions all over the world.

The same for breaking bread or cake.

The besom or broom has long been associated with the home and marriage, and in pagan and African traditions it is still very popular. Making your own besom or having one gifted to you can be a beautiful visual momento of your wedding day to place in the home.

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Sidenote: The Pagan Handfastings I conduct are Legal weddings. I include all the legal requirements and paperwork as required, and the couple are married in the eyes of the Law as well as their Deities and community of family and friends.

However I am just as comfortable doing Handfasting ceremonies without the legal aspect and keep it purely spiritual. 

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The internet is an endless source of information on all things pagan. I am a firm believer in doing things the way that feels right for you.

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If you want more information on anything wedding related, click ere to contact me 

 

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