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A Romantic Guide to Handfasting: Rituals, Recipes & Lore
Handfasting is a sacred marriage rite practiced by Pagans, Druids, and Wiccans for centuries. Anna Franklin explores the fascinating origins of this solemn ceremony and provides practical advice and inspiration for planning one's own handfasting celebration.
From choosing wedding garb and rings to selecting a date, this book offers a wealth of ways to infuse one's special day with magick and symbolism. The author discusses the history of common wedding customs; lists gods and goddesses associated with grooms, brides, and marriage; and offers sensible tips related to budget and location. Also included are handfasting themes, sample rituals, flower/herb uses, spells, charms, and recipes for magical incense, oils, and wedding foods.
From choosing wedding garb and rings to selecting a date, this book offers a wealth of ways to infuse one's special day with magick and symbolism. The author discusses the history of common wedding customs; lists gods and goddesses associated with grooms, brides, and marriage; and offers sensible tips related to budget and location. Also included are handfasting themes, sample rituals, flower/herb uses, spells, charms, and recipes for magical incense, oils, and wedding foods.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Anna Franklin
67 books26 followersAnna Franklin is a Pagan priestess author and illustrator who writes about Paganism, herb cunning, the Craft, and tarot. She runs the Hearth of Arianrhod, which offers an Open Circle, courses, small local Pagan camps and the large Mercian Gathering. Anna lives in an English village with her partner John, their cats and chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 29, 2017
As some of you who follow me on instagram, youtube, or this blog know Brad and I got engaged at the beginning of December. Neither of us wanted to have a long, drawn out engagement. Winter is my favorite season; Winter is also a convenient season to host a wedding and reduce the cost of a giant party. So, we set a date at the end of this February. I immediately used this speedy engagement as an excuse to purchase some Pagan handfasting books. Today I want to share with you a review of Anna Franklin's A Romantic Guide to Handfasting: Rituals, Recipes & Lore.
In the Christian world marriage is seen as a sacrament. It is a holy rite that demands certain traditions and symbols in order to be recognized by the community and God. Our culture has absorbed many of these traditions and symbols into even the most secular marriages. This can leave those of us who wish to honor our Pagan paths in a bit of a pickle. Where do we find traditions that honor the earth or scripts that do not put pressure on couples to satisfy the demands of child bearing heterosexual couples? A Romantic guide to Handfasting attempts to provide some options for Pagans and couples looking for a more offbeat wedding.
The book begins by discussing some wedding basics. All of these organizing questions are, in my opinion, obvious. Most people know that they either want lots of guests or have their handfasting be a more private event. I also think that most couples already have a general idea of what types of vows they are or aren't comfortable with. This is really only useful to readers who really are starting with no idea what they want.
The next few questions go into more interesting topics. There is a discussion about the way and types of Deities that might be invoked for a handfasting. Details of historical customs and possible themes are also mentioned. I particularly found the pages relating to how time could be invoked for a ritual. Many couples choose to say that their vow is "for this lifetime," "Until we are parted by death," or, even more commonly, "while love shall last." Brad and I have instead opted to avoid a time frame entirely. We have a bit in our vows mentioning that it is in our power to "make and remake" our vows. This is going to be more and more important in a world when divorce is common and families are mixed and varied.
Finally, the book provides examples of rituals and symbols that couples can use in their own rites. Brad and I chose to use of the examples in a part of our handfasting. However, I found that many of these examples didn't quite hit the inspiration button I was hoping for. I enjoyed how simple and approachable the examples were, though.
For readers looking for basic ideas or looking for an introduction into Pagan wedding rituals, they will find A Romantic Guide to Handfasting to be enjoyable. It probably won't satisfy the readers looking to officiate for many different couples and need a meaty reference book. It's handfasting - light not handfasting - all encompassing.
In the Christian world marriage is seen as a sacrament. It is a holy rite that demands certain traditions and symbols in order to be recognized by the community and God. Our culture has absorbed many of these traditions and symbols into even the most secular marriages. This can leave those of us who wish to honor our Pagan paths in a bit of a pickle. Where do we find traditions that honor the earth or scripts that do not put pressure on couples to satisfy the demands of child bearing heterosexual couples? A Romantic guide to Handfasting attempts to provide some options for Pagans and couples looking for a more offbeat wedding.
The book begins by discussing some wedding basics. All of these organizing questions are, in my opinion, obvious. Most people know that they either want lots of guests or have their handfasting be a more private event. I also think that most couples already have a general idea of what types of vows they are or aren't comfortable with. This is really only useful to readers who really are starting with no idea what they want.
The next few questions go into more interesting topics. There is a discussion about the way and types of Deities that might be invoked for a handfasting. Details of historical customs and possible themes are also mentioned. I particularly found the pages relating to how time could be invoked for a ritual. Many couples choose to say that their vow is "for this lifetime," "Until we are parted by death," or, even more commonly, "while love shall last." Brad and I have instead opted to avoid a time frame entirely. We have a bit in our vows mentioning that it is in our power to "make and remake" our vows. This is going to be more and more important in a world when divorce is common and families are mixed and varied.
Finally, the book provides examples of rituals and symbols that couples can use in their own rites. Brad and I chose to use of the examples in a part of our handfasting. However, I found that many of these examples didn't quite hit the inspiration button I was hoping for. I enjoyed how simple and approachable the examples were, though.
For readers looking for basic ideas or looking for an introduction into Pagan wedding rituals, they will find A Romantic Guide to Handfasting to be enjoyable. It probably won't satisfy the readers looking to officiate for many different couples and need a meaty reference book. It's handfasting - light not handfasting - all encompassing.
April 4, 2013
Was looking for information about the actual handfasting part - where the couple binds their hands together, but there was little info on that. Some, but not as much as I hoped. Still, I read through it and got some good ideas. I don't plan on jumping over a broom, but there are some nice suggestions here and there.
January 3, 2022
I am a pagan but I felt this leaned more towards Wiccan beliefs. Still a nice reference for handfasting ideas.
August 24, 2023
As with most Llewellyn books on pagan customs, this is a lovely reference book with a light overview on a wide variety of European traditions around marriage. Lots of associations provided, and a great central resource for info to jump off from.
I will give brief note that this is the first of any of their books I’ve read that start to give nod to slightly more inclusivity around gender and sexuality (although the whole thing still uses man and woman instead of the more appropriate masculine and feminine). My copy is 2nd printing, 2015.
I’m glad to have this book in my collection now to reference, but also glad I purchased it from ThriftBooks.
I will give brief note that this is the first of any of their books I’ve read that start to give nod to slightly more inclusivity around gender and sexuality (although the whole thing still uses man and woman instead of the more appropriate masculine and feminine). My copy is 2nd printing, 2015.
I’m glad to have this book in my collection now to reference, but also glad I purchased it from ThriftBooks.
August 10, 2026
Lots of great recipes for incense, drinks, sweets, charm bags, etc. I’m super excited to try some of these out before my own handfasting. There are a lot of handfasting books out there and each brings something different to the table. I love this book because of the recipe index and instructional guides whereas other books offer more generic information (which is great but a busy bride may not have the capacity to interpret another thing on her to do list!). The book may be older but I think it still stands up and is even better than some of the more recently published books I’ve read on the subject. Definitely recommend for anyone planning a handfasting!
May 15, 2018
Wonderful advice
I’m so happy to have read this before my wedding! I’ll be using these and some other ideas in my own wedding this coming year ( 2018) would recommend for anyone else wanting to do a handfasting.
I’m so happy to have read this before my wedding! I’ll be using these and some other ideas in my own wedding this coming year ( 2018) would recommend for anyone else wanting to do a handfasting.
December 25, 2023
This book was very helpful in our wedding planning this year. I’m a big fan of Anna Franklin’s writing, and this did not disappoint. A good reference to stay on my shelf if the time comes to help others plan their weddings.
March 3, 2008
I like Anna Franklin's books. This is a nice combination of customs about weddings and handfastings. Aimed at those who may be planning such a ceremony. Lots of recipes, suggestions, and ways to make the ceremony memorable. A very good resource for a clergy person (which is what I was looking for).
June 7, 2008
This is a small book, but it's got a lot of useful information. There's a little bit of everything you need in order to plan your handfasting/wedding. She provides lots of little ideas that can give you the inspiration to customize your special day to fit you and your partners needs.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews