Planning of a handfasting or wedding celebration in Hercules and Xena
 
 
 
 
 
 

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When:                On what day do we want to get handfasted? What time of day do we               want our handfasting?                Where:                In what geographical area do we plan to get handfasted (Athens, Midgard                or Egypt?)                In what specific place do we want to have the handfasting? Do we want the               handfasting outdoors or inside?                Who:                How large of a group of guests do we want to have at our handfasting?               Who are the guests we definitely want to be present? What other guests               would we like to be present? Who are the guests we definitely do not               want to be present? Who do we want to perform the handfasting? Who               do we want to have in what roles in the handfasting? Do we want music               at the handfasting, and if so, we need every person to be able to download                the music and write it in the script.                How:                How long of a handfasting rite do we want to have? Do we want our               handfasting to be legally binding? (A GM wedding) How formal do               we want our handfasting to be: which plan do we want to have.               How elaborate do we want our handfasting to be: simple, moderate,               complex? Do we want guests to be seated , and in what               configuration during the handfasting?                What other handfasting-related activities, if any,               are we planning? How do we plan to end our handfasting day?                What:                Do we want to have our hands joined together as part of the ceremony?               Do we want to jump the broom? What other customs do we want as part               of our ceremony? * What special objects do we want on the handfasting               altar? What is the color theme for our handfasting? What form of               clothing and colors do we plan to wear? What flowers, if any, do we               plan to wear and/or carry? What ideas do we have for our handfasting               ceremony design and decor?

 

Planning                2-6 months in advance we begin with a consultation session with               Portia or Twylight to set date, adapt an outline and prepare for wedding.               Consultation (See wedding plans and alteraton pages               for details).                Rehearsal                24 - 4 hours before wedding begins a walk-through with couple and               others with roles in the ceremony is undertaken.                Site Preparation                1-2 hours before a wedding we meet at the wedding site where the altar is               set-up and we hold a final briefing.                Arrival of Guests                A group processional entry or the direction of seating by ushers               occurs;  Processional of Couple               and attendants process after signal by minister (priest).                Special Acknowledgments                Couple acknowledges family, ancestors, and/or special guests.                Attunement                A moment of interfaith Divine attunement is accessed through silence,               toning, and/or imagery.                Circle Casting                Using imagery, sound, and/or movement.                Elemental Blessings                Couple journeys with minister(s) to each of the compass points to               receive a blessing of the Direction and its associated Element. (Tools               and qualities have been pre-selected during Planning session.)                     Earth: North, the Physical Realm                     tools: a pentacle of salt, a dish of fertile soil, or a platter with a                    round loaf bread                     qualities: good health, a happy home, groundedness, and fertility                     Air: East, the Mental Realm                     tools: incense, feather, or bell                     qualities: wisdom, good communication, learning, and intellectual                    growth                     Fire: South, the Action Realm                     tools: candle or wand                     qualities: creativity, harmony, sensuality, and vitality                     Water: West, the Emotional Realm                     tools: water from a chalice or bowl                     qualities: understanding, emotional support, intuition, and                    friendship                     Spirit: Center, the Spiritual Realm                     tools: anointing oil, crystal, or other Spirit symbol                     qualities: balance, wholeness, integrity, and spiritual growth                Spiritual Marriage as Sacred Union of Female - Male aspects of Divinity                                        Goddess Evocation                             Divine Female principle evoked in the Bride                                          God Evocation                             Divine Male principle evoked in the Groom               Consecration of Rings                The priest(s) bless rings and/or other tokens of exchange.                Exchanging of Vows and Rings                Bride and Groom speak commitments to each other.                Handfasting with Cords                Cords from Bride and Groom are joined and their hands fastened.                Blessings                Well wishes on the marriage spoken by priest(s) and/or guests.               Sacred Union                With visualization, movement, and/or sound, "Joined in Love" or other               chant may be voiced.                Assimilation                In silence, or with music, prose, or poetry.                Marriage Pronouncement                Verbal affirmation by priest(s) that the couple is now married.                Sharing                Couple shares food and/or beverage.                Thanksgiving                Couple and minister(s) give thanks to the Divine at directions.                Uncasting the Circle                The formal ritual ends with a benediction.                Broom Jump                Couple jumps together while audience cheers.                Celebration                Receiving line, feasting, gift opening, merry-making.