A Simple Handfasting Ceremony Script

THE PROCESSION

Beginning of the Handfasting Ceremony.

THE INVOCATION

Officiant to the Reception

"Dearest friends and family, We've come here to show these two beautiful people our love and support today! To celebrate them as they join their lives together in marriage.

Marriage isn't something to be entered into lightly. The uniting of two paths into a single journey asks us to be thoughtful, intentional, and honest. Marriage brings with it a deep realization of our responsibility and commitment to our partner, and the understanding that love, loyalty, compassion, and compromise are the foundations of a happy and enduring home."

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Officiant to Partner A

"[PARTNER A], do you come here today to marry [PARTNER B], and to join your path with theirs?"

PARTNER A TO PARTNER B

"I do."

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

"[PARTNER B], do you come here today to marry [PARTNER A], and to join your path with theirs?"

PARTNER B TO PARTNER A

"I do."

VOWS & RING EXCHANGE

Officiant to the Reception

"[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] will now exchange rings, and the words they've written for each other. These words are promises they make to each other, to keep each day of their lives together."

HANDFASTING AND CLOSING WORDS

This script offers two variations for closing words: Spiritual or Secular / Non Spiritual

Officiant to the GATHERING
Spiritual:

"And now, [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] have asked us to join them in a handfasting to symbolize that their union takes place on a spiritual as well physical level."Secular / Non Spiritual:

"And now, [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] have asked us to join them in a handfasting to symbolize the joining of two individual paths merging into one, and the start of a journey they will continue on together."

• The Officiant asks the Partners to place their hands or wrists together, and begins to wrap the cord while they say the Closing Words.

OFFICIANT TO THE GATHERING

"Handfasting is an old tradition. With each wrap of the cord / ribbon, you deepen your commitment to each other, vowing to respect and support one another, to grow with each other, to offer each other compassion and understanding, and to take each new challenge and adventure as it comes, together. Let this bond be strong and loving!"

• [After the cord is wrapped, the couple continues to hold hands while the Officiant addresses the Reception]

PRONOUNCEMENT

Officiant to the Reception"By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of [STATE NAME], I now pronounce you married!"

1. [Partners kiss or embrace]
2. [The cord can stay on as the partners leave the ceremony during the Recession, or it can be slipped off for safekeeping after the kiss.]

RECESSION

End of the Handfasting Ceremony.