Handfasting
This is a copy of roughly the script that was used at the Handfasting Ceremony. There is probably a better word for it than script. Can you tell we are both actors :). Anyway, you will notice that bits of it have been left out or unfinished. These are bits that Morgan and Marian made up, or were done on the fly. i don't recall what exactly was said. But this is the vows we exchanged and the basic outline of the ceremony.
As said before, Morgan and Marian were our celebrants. We also had Megan holding the bindings, Kirrily holding the bottle of Mead, and Neef holding a large red candle. The mead to drink, the binding to tie our hands, and the candle to complete the elements. The site was an enclosed glade in the Fitzroy Gardens, with a small fountain, and the meeting place of four different paths. Water was provided by the fountain, Earth and Air are obvious, and Fire by the candle flame.
The Script
Morgan: This time last year when Madi and Renee officially announced their engagement I joked that if you made a list of all the people least likely to get married then these two would be at the top. Well, today they're actually taking the next step towards that unlikely event and they are making vows to each other that are binding for a year and day.
This is a celebration of the love shared between two people. We are all here to witness this occasion as they make vows to each other that will hold them together for a year and a day.
Morgan also added his own thoughts and words here
(to Madi and Renee) This is not a game. This is not something that can be discarded at will. This is a serious commitment between two people. It is an agreement to work through the difficulties as well as rejoice in the good times. By making these vows you are promising to spend a year of your lives together, regardless of circumstances. It will be difficult at times but in the end the effort will be far outweighed by the rewards. You will grow together as a couple and each grow as individuals. There will be tears and there will be laughter. There will be times when you may wish to end your promise and there will be times when the promises you make here today will mean more than anything else in the world.
(to the crowd) You are all here because you mean something to both Madi and Renee, because you have helped them during the last year, believed in them both and been friends to them both. You are here as witnesses as the two of them make promises to each other and throughout the year you will hopefully be able to continue to offer them both friendship, support and belief. (To Madi and Renee) If you could both kneel down.
Madi and Renee: (kneel)
Morgan: Do you promise to give each other your love and your friendship? To have the courage to allow each other to become a part of your life? Do you promise to be open and honest with each other and to give each other your loyalty, your companionship and your trust? Do you promise to lend strength to each other when it is needed and to be unafraid to ask for it in return?
Madi and Renee: (affirm)
Morgan: Do you willingly enter into this vow with each other and agree to do what you can to honour your side of this promise? Do you promise to listen to each other's criticisms and accept each other's praise? Do you promise to give praise or caution to each other when needed? Are you willing to hold these promises for a year and a day, until the night of midsummer's day next year?
Madi and Renee: (affirm)
Morgan: Please face each other now.
Madi and Renee: (face each other)
Morgan: Repeat after me (pause after each line so that it can be repeated) I give unto you all that I have to give I will share my life with you I will love you I will be your comforter, your lover, your friend and your partner I promise to be faithful and true I will approach our time together with a serious mind and a joyous heart, with courage and with honesty I will be yours
Madi and Renee: (repeat each line)
Morgan: Take each other's hands.
Marian: (binds our hands)
Marian: The binding of the hands is for you a bond between you. It symbolises you walking hand-in-hand through life together. It is the completion of your vows to each other and a symbol for everyone here that you are serious in your intent.
Marian: (takes the goblet round, a chalice filled with mead) Marian also added some words and thoughts of her own at this point.
Morgan: As people drink from the goblet they both drink to your health, your well-being and to witness the vows that you have made.
Madi and Renee: (drink from the goblet)
Morgan: You both have some things that you wish to say to each other here.
Both Madi and Renee exchanged some words and thoughts with each other.
Marian gathered a flower from each witness, as we had asked all those attending to bring a flower.
Morgan: The flowers are a wish for good luck to you from all those here.
Morgan: You have spoken words to each other and made promises. You have exchanged vows and had your hands bound. You have asked these people to bear witness. From this day, until the night of midsummer next years, these vows will hold you. Go now and be as one. Blessed be.
End of the Ceremony.
The Party
Later on that evening, we reaffirmed out vows in front of everyone at the party, as a visible symbol for those who weren't at the ceremony. Morgan again MC'd
Morgan: Madi and Renee have made promises to each other that will bind them together for a year and day. Their hands have been bound and they have made vows in front of witnesses. The promises they have made are both serious and joyful. They have promised each other love and strength and support. I now ask them to finalise their vows in front of everyone here.
(To Madi and Renee) Do you promise to hold these vows that you have made, for a year and a day until midsummer next year?
Madi and Renee said YES!
Morgan: All the people here are witnesses. Be as one from this day on. Blessed be.
This was also the time for toasts, and ancedocts from various people, and assorted good wishes. And Neef reading the dirty telegrams :)
Later on, that evening, we also held a summer solstice candle ceremony, a small ceremony where Roseanne officiated, invoking a blessing, and then everyone lit a candle and made a wish.
Thank You
I wish to say Thank You all. To those who attended the ceremony, and those who attended the party. To Morgan and Marian for officiating. To Morgan and Megan for forcing us to stop panicking. To Neef for taking some wonderful photo's. To Roseanne for the candle ceremony. To Sophie for the car and the amazing help getting ready. To all the people that helped me, in the course of the day with preparations, and at the party. To the people that travelled all the way from Canberra and Sydney. To everyone that made the evening magical.
Thank you, to everyone who wished us well!