Summer Solstice Ceremony with Honey Wine Toast and Handfasting

The Handfasting Script

PrepAration

Arrange guests in a half circle or circle around the marriage altar, where you’ll place the honey wine and two glasses. Decorate with colorful fabrics, candles, wildflowers, mistletoe, basil, and other traditional herbs. Use local plant varieties for a personalized look. 

PROCESSION

The couple enters together or one at a time, and meets the officiant at the altar.

If a parent, relative, or friend is walking one of the partners down the aisle, this happens now.  

INVOCATION 

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Friends and family, we’re here today to celebrate ________ and ________ as they take this next step into marriage. We’re here to celebrate their joy, their friendship, the incredible growth they’ve experienced together, and the love they share! 

It’s no coincidence that they’ve chosen this day. As most of you know, today marks the longest day of the year, the triumph of light and love over darkness. It’s a time that’s been honored for thousands of years, as a day to make a new beginning, to revel in vibrancy and abundance, warmth and potential. It’s a time to celebrate family and the fullness of life.

When ________ and ________ met last year, they didn’t know they’d be saying their vows in front of all you today. But it wasn’t long -- only a couple of dates -- before they knew they’d found their person in each other. 

They say they knew they were meant to be, when spending time together made their days feel like those endless summer days of childhood -- full and happy. 

So today, with the sun at its fullest, we gather to celebrate love at its fullest! 

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE
Without further delay, are you two ready to marry?Partner A AND B, together

 We are! 

VOWS AND HANDFASTING

Officiant TO THE COUPLE
Wonderful! It looks like we’re all in the right place then.

 ________ and ________, you’ve written personal vows to each other, which you’ll share as part of a traditional handfasting ceremony. 

For those guests who don’t know, a handfasting cord is a physical symbol of a spiritual bond. With each promise the couple makes, the cord is knotted, representing the unbreakable love these two share, and their commitment to honor and support one another always.

________ and ________, clasp hands as your first promise.

• The couple clasps hands, right hand with right hand, either crossing in front of the body or standing side to side. 
• The officiant ties the first knot in the cord around the couples wrists. 
• Important: If the couple will be exchanging rings before the handfasting cord is removed, make sure the couple uses their right hands so that the left hands are free. If this isn’t possible, remove the cord before placing the rings.

Officiant TO PARTNER A
________, would you like to say your vows first?

Partner A 

• Says their vows.
• The officiant ties the second knot. 

Officiant TO PARTNER B

 And ________, would you like to share your vows?

Partner B

• Says their vows. 
• The officiant ties the third knot.

Officiant TO THE COUPLE
Keep this cord with you for the years ahead, and let each knot remind you of the promises you made here today.

RING EXCHANGE

Officiant TO THE RECEPTION
Of course, it would be hard to go through life physically tied together wouldn’t it?  As a lasting symbol of these promises, ________ and ________ have also chosen to exchange rings.

OFFICIANT TO THE RING BEARER

________,  will you present the rings?

• The ring bearer / guest holding the rings passes them to each partner. 
• The couple slips the rings on each other’s hands.
• The handfasting cord is slipped off now, if it hasn’t been already, and is placed on the altar or passed to a guest for safe keeping.

Blessing &  Mead / Honey wine toast

Officiant to the Reception
Before we head out to feast and frolic, there’s one more thing to do -- share in a toast with this happy couple as they enter the world as married partners! 

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

________ and ________, lift your glasses!

• They DO 

Everyone you see here today loves and cares about you, as individuals and as a couple. We’re so happy that you two found each other and that you’ve decided to share your life together. As you leave this sacred space today, take our love with you. And remember, you can do anything together! 

May the warmth of the sun remind you of the earth’s bounty, and its light, the bounty of your love. And may today be the start of a wonderfully full life that grows fuller, brighter, and happier with each turn of the season! 

Now toast to love, drink, kiss, and be merry!

• The couple toast, drink, and kiss! 

Pronouncement 

Officiant to THE RECEPTION
Friends and family, I present to you ________ and ________, partners in life! 
(Or wife and husband, husband and husband, etc., as the couple chooses.)

• The couple turn to face their guests, clasping hands.

Recession

Officiant TO THE RECEPTION
This ceremony is officially over! Let’s give ________ and ________ some applause and then let’s go celebrate the Solstice!

• Mead should be offered at the reception for guests to enjoy.