Anna Maria Wedding-Handfasting   I so enjoyed being the wedding officiate at a Anna Maria Wedding-Handfasting ceremony!  The wedding was held on Anna Maria Island which is close to Sarasota, Florida.

The couple’s hands are wrapped with ribbon to signify that not only are their hands bound but also their hearts, minds and souls are joined together. The Handfasting Ceremony comes from Ireland and has been used for centuries in Irish wedding ceremonies. The words of the Anna Maria Wedding-Handfasting ceremony were: 

“As your hands are bound together now so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars your love should be a constant source of light and like the earth a firm foundation from which to grow.

Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage. Let the strength of your wills bind you together. Let the power of love and desire make you happy and in the strength of your dedication make you inseparable.”

The Anna Maria Wedding-Handfasting Ceremony was contained the a spiritual ceremony in which my couple made up their own vows. I talked about the meaning of marriage which they were touched by. Then they exchanged vows that they a personally written for each other. They lovingly communicated these vows to each other. There was not a dry eye in the group of of guests. Next, the exchanged rings, one of which was an heirloom from the groom’s family. Finally they had their “I do’s” . Lastly, I pronounced them husband and wife! 

What an incredible day it was!  I love to officiate weddings where my couples add meaningful additional parts like they did at my Anna Maria-Handfasting Ceremony.