Heartfelt Handfasting: Christian Interpretations of the Ritual

Binding Lives Together Before God

Have you ever seen couples in movies or at weddings literally 'tie the knot'? This beautiful tradition is called handfasting. It's an old ritual where a couple's hands are bound together with a cord or ribbon as a symbol of their unity and commitment. While many think of it as a pagan or Celtic practice, a lot of Christian couples are finding ways to bring this powerful symbol into their own weddings. It's a wonderful way to physically show the promise you're making to each other before God. It reminds me of the Bible verse from Ecclesiastes that says, 'A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.' In this case, it's the husband, the wife, and God, all bound together.

What is Handfasting?

When I used to photograph weddings, I saw so many beautiful traditions, but one that has always stayed with me is handfasting. It’s a very old ceremony where a couple joins hands, and someone wraps cords or ribbons around their hands. This physical act is a powerful picture of two lives becoming one, right there in front of their family and friends.

You have probably heard the saying 'tying the knot' when people talk about getting married. Handfasting is where that idea comes to life in a very real and visible way. As the ribbons are wrapped, you can actually see the knot being tied that joins a husband and wife together. It is a simple gesture, but it holds so much meaning about the promise you are making.

Now, a lot of folks might think handfasting is only for pagan or secular ceremonies. While it is popular in those circles, the history is much bigger than that. This tradition was actually common across Europe for centuries, and many of our Christian ancestors used it as a formal way to agree to marry. It is not a new or strange idea, but one with deep roots across different beliefs.

I have been so happy to see more and more Christian couples bring this tradition back into their own wedding ceremonies. They are rediscovering it as a beautiful way to show their lifelong commitment not just to each other, but to God. It becomes a special moment in the wedding that really focuses on the sacred promises being made.

Making it a Christian Ceremony

What I love most about handfasting is that you can make it completely your own and fill it with your faith. It is not a strict ritual with rigid rules, which gives you the freedom to make it special for you and your future husband. You can choose the colors, the words, and the style to perfectly match the story of your love and your walk with God.

A wonderful way to do this is by choosing colors for your cords that have a special Christian meaning. For example, you could use a white cord to represent purity, a gold one for God's glory and divinity, and maybe a red one to symbolize the sacrifice of Christ. The colors can tell a story about the foundation you want to build your marriage on.

To make it even more personal, I have seen couples embroider their ribbons with things that are special to them. Some choose a favorite Bible verse that has guided their relationship, like 'I have found the one whom my soul loves.' Others will stitch their names and the date of their wedding, creating a beautiful family heirloom from the very start.

During the ceremony, the handfasting becomes a moment of prayer. As your pastor or officiant wraps the cords around your hands, they can read scripture about love and marriage or say a special prayer asking God to bless your union. This wraps the whole act in prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to be present and to seal the vows you are making.

When you include these elements of faith, handfasting is lifted from being just a symbolic tradition to becoming a truly holy moment. It is an act of worship and a declaration that you are dedicating your marriage to God. It shows everyone that your union is built on the solid rock of your shared faith in Jesus Christ.

A Promise Before God

For me, and for my husband, marriage is the most sacred covenant a man and a woman can make. It is a promise made before God to love, honor, and cherish one another for a lifetime. It is a beautiful picture of the relationship between Christ and His church, and it deserves to be treated with that level of reverence and joy.

Using a handfasting cord is such a powerful and physical way to show what is happening spiritually. Your two hands are bound together, showing your new unity as a couple. More than that, the way the cords are tied together shows that you are intentionally inviting God to be woven into the very fabric of your new life together, right at the center of it all.

This always brings to my mind that wonderful verse in Ecclesiastes 4:12. It says, 'Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.' This is the perfect scripture for a Christian handfasting because it speaks directly to the source of a strong marriage.

In this beautiful symbol, the three strands of the cord represent the husband, the wife, and God himself. When the three are woven together, the bond is incredibly strong and resilient. It is a constant reminder that with God at the center of your marriage, holding you together, your union will be able to withstand any storm.

A Keepsake to Cherish

One of the sweetest parts of a handfasting ceremony is that you get to keep the cord after your wedding day. It does not just get used once and then packed away and forgotten. Instead, you have this wonderful, tangible piece of your ceremony to take home with you.

This cord becomes a precious keepsake that will always remind you of the promises you made. On days that are hard, you can look at it and remember the feeling of your hands being tied together, and the prayers that were said over you. It is a physical symbol of your vows and the grace that surrounds them.

I think it is lovely to find a special place to display your handfasting cord in your home. You could put it in a beautiful shadow box along with your wedding invitation or a favorite photo. Seeing it every day is a sweet and gentle reminder of your commitment and the third strand, God, who holds your marriage together.

Is It Right for Us?

Choosing to include a handfasting in your wedding is a deeply personal decision for you and your future husband. It is a beautiful option for couples who want to add a unique and symbolic element to their ceremony, but it is not for everyone, and that is perfectly okay.

The most important thing is to talk about it together and with your pastor. You want to make sure everyone is comfortable with it and understands the Christian meaning you want to convey. Unity is so important, and that starts with the planning of your ceremony and making sure you are both on the same page.

If you decide it is right for you, handfasting can be an unforgettable part of your wedding. It is a chance to create a deeply personal and faith-filled moment that is not just for you, but is also a powerful testimony to your guests. It beautifully shows your commitment to each other and to building a marriage that honors God.