Due to many requests that I have had, I will be providing hand-made cords for the purpose of tying the knot!.
I will take pictures of each one that I make so that you have ideas to work from. The cost of the cord will depend on the materials used in construction and how elaborate the design.
The completed ceremony and braided handfasting cord
The cord that you see on this altar is a completed braid, and the ceremony was over. The colours were chosen by the couple and you can see in the middle is ‘the knot’ that was the binding for their marriage. There is a loop left on one end for hanging and the other end is left with extra length for the addition of the bell. More pictures later.
Cords can be made from many materials and in many sizes. Here’s what I need to know
- What colours do you need?
- How many cords are you using? Usually an odd number, traditionally 5, 7, 13. Can vary. Can be just one cord if you are just wrapping the hands once, can be many cords if you are having the wedding party drape them. the more cords needed, the thinner they should be to facilitate knotting and braiding.
- Faith specific? A Christian hand wrapping may use different symbols to a Pagan one.
- How long do you want it? Depends on how many wrappings with the one length.
- Do you want blessing bags attached? Each little bag made to match the intent, and tied into the cords by family/wedding party/children/parents or whomever you choose. For example, Red bag with damiana, rubies and sun stones for Passion.
A custom made wedding dreamcatcher is also available if you wish to twine your braided cords around it once the ceremony is over. These can vary in size and cost [of course] and can be made to match your colours, but they are better in white.
Also available: hand made ritual robe cords and bridal cord headdresses or girdles. [an old tradition wherein the Bride has a cord tied around her waist by her father or other escort, and the Groom gets to untie it on the wedding night.] Simple, symbolic and purposeful.
All items are made and blessed according to the needs/intents/blessings of the ceremony.
5 cord knot with triskele
2 cord simple gothic knot
simple 3 cord braided
hi, this lookes lovely, i love the sand in the vases, what is that called, i’d love to do something like the sand when i get wed x
That is a Sand Ceremony. It has the same symbolism as a unity candle but it is excellent for outdoor weddings and for blended family ceremonies. Basically the symbolism is the joining of two or more persons into one unified family. Each person should have a different colour sand, and takes their turn making a vow as the sand is poured into a main vase/container which will be kept by the family. In the picture here, the family had special containers etched with each family member’s initials and their crest on the main vase.