Hand-fasting Wedding History and Traditions

Men’s and women’s wedding designs by Celtic Fusion. Photography by Margo Weddings.

What Is a Handfasting Ceremony?

Celtic Fusion offers high-quality Celtic handfasting wedding designs, created for meaningful ceremonies shaped by heritage, nature, and personal symbolism.

Over the years, we have received many questions about what a handfasting ceremony is, how it relates to weddings, and where the tradition comes from.

We collaborated with Margo Weddings for this handfasting wedding shoot, captured at Yeats Tower in Galway, Ireland. The mood and styling beautifully reflect the grace and magic of a modern Celtic ceremony.

Unity Candles

Unity candles are often used in Celtic handfasting ceremonies to symbolically join the couple or their families during the ceremony.

Two tapered candles, each representing one partner, are placed on either side of a larger pillar candle. The couple then use the taper candles to light the unity candle together, with the blended flame symbolising their new life as one.

Tying the knot in a handfasting ceremony. Photography by Margo Weddings.

Tying the Knot

When two individuals were brought together through marriage, a small piece of cord would be tied around their interlocked hands to symbolise their unity in life thereafter.

The practice of handfasting is special because it did not belong to only one religious tradition. Pre-Christian pagans practiced handfasting, and it was also used by Protestant and Catholic couples.

Historically, handfasting was used to signify a betrothal. Couples would test their love for one year and one day. After that time, they were recognised as married under Celtic law. This ritual is one of the origins associated with the phrase “tying the knot”.

The Modern Revival of Handfasting

In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in ancient practices that were almost forgotten. Many couples now choose to include handfasting in their wedding ceremonies for many different reasons.

For some, it is a way to reconnect with Irish and Scottish ancestry and honour the pagan practices of the past. For others, it offers a tangible symbol of commitment without needing to include religious elements, while still allowing space for individual devotion, self-expression, and personal meaning.

Handfasting in Nature

Many people choose to hold their handfasting ceremony outdoors, surrounded by nature, just as our ancestors celebrated seasonal rites and life events under open sky.

Celtic Fusion handfasting wedding dresses are made from natural ivory lace and linen fabrics. We use natural tones, raw plant trims, and tie details to create an earthy, woodland-inspired wedding look.

Our menswear uses linen, cotton, and tweed wool in earthen tones, making it well suited to outdoor, forest, and Celtic-inspired ceremonies.

All photography pictured is by Margo Weddings.

In collaboration with @jarek.korzeniowski, @asiabitner, and @orgdecohome.

Location: @yeatsthoorballylee.