Astaru Handfasting Wedding Script

Officiant (to guests):

Favorite people, welcome to this amazing place on this perfect day. If I can have all of your attention for a very important announcement. There will be a photo moment at the beginning of the ceremony during which you will be invited to take photos and videos with your devices. I will announce this moment when it is time.

For their processional and ceremony, they want to look out and see all your happy faces, not your phone cases. Please honor their wishes and keep your devices stowed until the social media moment is announced. We would like to honor their spirits by not capturing too much of them for the duration of this ceremony. Thank you.

Officiant:

Welcome to the wedding of _________ and _________! You have all been invited here today to witness a ceremony of love and intention between these two amazing humans. They have been planning and anticipating this very special and powerful moment for some time. And they are honored to have you all here to witness.

But first, we are going to have a photo moment so that all of you can get all the “must-take photos” out of your system. Family and friends, I want you to reach into your purse, pocket, or whatever device carrying item you have and get out those devices. You have the next 60 seconds to snap as many photos/videos/etc as you can before we tell you to put them away and be present with us.

_________, _________, while they do that, we are going to get ready. Roll the head, stretch the jaw, lots of smiling to do, bend the knees, get loosey-goosey… okay. Here we go.

Okay, first, you are so happy to see each other, you’re wiping a tear. (10) Now, I have said something funny, we are laughing. (10) Now you are looking at each other deeply. Longing gaze, oh my god she looks so beautiful… And now smile and wave boys, smile and wave, we are waving at all your friends and family. (10) Perfect. Why don't you give her a little kiss on the forehead… beautiful. Good, everyone got a picture? Yay! Now, please put your devices away. Not in your hand, please. Far away. You’ll survive, I promise.

Officiant:

You may all be seated. Before today’s ceremony can commence, we must welcome all to witness.

Welcome to your honored guests, your blood family, and shield brethren and sisters. Welcome to all with a beating heart whose eyes can see these two now, standing ready to accept one another’s fates.

Welcome to the ancestors of these present, _________ and _________. To those who lived before and loved before so that _________ and _________ too might live and love. In gratitude, we welcome you to witness this ceremony from the realms in which your souls reside, to give aid to these two as they embark on this journey of marriage with your enduring wisdom.

Welcome to the gods and goddesses of old, the great pantheon for whom the seas part, the skies break, the earth moves.

To Odin, all father, in your great wisdom. He whose all-seeing eye watched as the threads of fate pulled these two to each other. I call to this place the ruler of Valhalla, golden king, raven’s call, Odin.

To Thor, hero of Valhalla, son of Odin, wielder of Mjölnir and warrior of the gods. With thunder in his cloak and lightning in his beard, I call to witness and protect this ceremony of marriage, Thor.

To Loki, Laufey's Son, Trickster of the far north. He who speaks the truth others will not hear. We call you, one whose soul burns bright, And invite you to be critical of our souls. For you love to make us break our vows, only when those vows are made heedlessly. I call Loki to witness these vows, lest they ever be tempted to break them.

To Freya, golden-haired goddess, giver of love, and beauty. Powerful seir and protector of women, on her cat-drawn chariot, unafraid, unabashed. Powerful feminine, I call to Freya to bless this moment of deep love.

Officiant:

_________ and _________ approach together, hand in hand to the log to give their offering. This offering is made in humility and trust, let all who have been called to witness receive our gratitude. (One for each god)

May this offering inspire the gods to bless you in union with such strength, such tenacity, such reward.

Officiant:

Who will witness this ceremony of union? Which of _________’s shield brethren will be our witness?

Officiant:

Who will witness this ceremony of union? Which of _________’s shield brethren will be our witness?

Officiant:

To honor the ways of the old, we recognize that the community is at the heart of our success as an individual. Today we do not only unite _________ and _________, but their families to fortify and strengthen them.

And so, to you, the congregation of their souls' greatest memories, their souls' truest allies, if you agree now to offer yourselves as counsel, as guiding hands, as safe arms. If you agree now that _________ and _________ will always have in you a friend on which they can rely, an ally to which they can turn, in the many storms that life may bring, if they can always count on your presence, reassurance, and intentions for their highest good, say you so now: “I do.”

_________, _________, do you agree now that you each come here of your own accord, having made no prior commitments on your hearts to another, ready to give yourselves wholly to this union before the eyes of the Gods, your ancestors, your family, and chosen witnesses?

Officiant:

The vows you make in the confines of this ceremony are sacred, witnessed by Odin, Thor, Freya, Loki and the ancestors whose blood flows within your veins.

Do you understand the sanctity of these vows and agree to proceed?

Officiant:

You will now share your vows with one another.

Officiant (to Partner 1):

Do you, _________, trust _________ to stand strong and equal at your side? Do you vow to honor the alignment of your destinies, the power of your love and the eternity of your vow? To face challenges with her, the sword at her side and shield at her back. To seek the wisdom of Odin when you disagree, and the courage of Thor when life tries you? To seek the depth of love that Freya calls you to reach for, and savor the unexpected moments of joy that Loki forever inspires? To be a faithful spouse, now and always?

Officiant (to Partner 2):

Do you, _________, trust _________ to stand strong and equal at your side? Do you vow to honor the alignment of your destinies, the power of your love and the eternity of your vow? To face challenges with her, the sword at her side and shield at her back. To seek the wisdom of Odin when you disagree, and the courage of Thor when life tries you? To seek the depth of love that Freya calls you to reach for, and savor the unexpected moments of joy that Loki forever inspires? To be a faithful spouse, now and always?

Officiant:

By these sacred vows, you have given yourselves to one another. A symbol of that gift, a token of your love, now… I would call for the rings.

Officiant (to ring bearer):

May we have the rings?

Officiant:

These rings signify your plans, hopes, and promises to one another. Their brilliance, glistening in the sun, signifies your goals to prosper as one, to hold tight to one another in faith and be unwavering.

They were forged with care and attention from raw materials taken from the earth. Just as your marriage too will be forged in the moments of life when you feel the most raw.

Let these rings worn on your hands remind you of the promise you have made. For your hand is the most impactful, the most powerful, the most intentional part of you. That which can be used to take something that burdens or to lead one to a safe place. This is the promise you make today by placing these rings on your hands.

That your hands will be used to guide one another, aid one another, defend and protect one another, care for one another.

Officiant (to Partner 1):

_________, please take _________’s left hand and repeat this vow:

_________, before the Gods, ancestors and our present witnesses/ I vow to you/ my beloved wife/husband/ I will hold you in trial/ I will celebrate you in triumph/ I will protect our home and our family/ I will honor the woman you are/ I will inspire the woman you are becoming/ in this breath/ in every breath/ until my last.

You may place the ring.

Officiant (to Partner 2):

_________, please take _________’s left hand and repeat this vow:

_________, before the Gods, ancestors and our present witnesses/ I vow to you/ my beloved wife/husband/ I will hold you in trial/ I will celebrate you in triumph/ I will protect our home and our family/ I will honor the woman you are/ I will inspire the woman you are becoming/ in this breath/ in every breath/ until my last.

You may place the ring.

Officiant:

Between the two of you, in this marriage, you will exchange many things. Love, reassurance, and knowing. Laughter. Words of disagreement which encourage your love to grow. Words of celebration which allow you to flourish. Professions of love and professions of apology.

Between the two of you, there will always be an open exchange, an energy passing between you both and never ceasing. To represent that now, I will give you this moment to pass a ceremonial sword, the representation of your trust in each other and intentions to care for and protect each other’s hearts.

Pass swords to _________ and _________. Unsheathed, pass sheaths back.

As you pass the swords to one another, please take this moment to seal the passing with your own personal vows, your first love letters as husband and wife. You will find that in order to pour your hearts out in these vows, you must balance the sword. You must be vulnerable but also strong.

_________ will go first.

As you pass your sword, your vow is this:

_________: I promise to give you and our marriage all of me, and to in exchange, take all of you.

Officiant:

_________: I promise to give you and our marriage all of me, and to in exchange, take all of you.

Officiant (to guests):

Beloved guests, applause and a great cheer, let the gods hear you!

Officiant (to guests):

Now we come to the Handfasting. An ancient marriage rite, the Handfasting asks us to trust one another. For as we grow closer and tie tighter we begin to feel the human fear of being consumed creeping in. We begin to feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable.

But if we are willing to pause, take a breath, and move together in perfect synchronization, we find that only together can we once again be free… all without letting go of this beautiful covenant we share.

This cord we will use to symbolize your marriage. Its length for longevity, its weaves for the twists and turns life will take. Its colors for core aspects of your marriage.

Blue, as the sea, the ebb and flow, the calm and chaotic energy that is always moving, just as through your lives together you will hold fast through sunshine and storm.

Green, as the earth, full of life and vibrant, just as through your lives together you will grow, finding newness.

Gold, as the sun, which brings all things together to face it, unity which allows you to prosper.

Officiant (to couple):

_________, _________, please join in hand.

Do you vow to be steadfast and determined in this union for one another? To ebb and flow with your partner in all seasons?

Officiant:

Do you vow to seek newness and growth in this union for one another? To reach for new versions of yourselves as individuals and as a couple?

Officiant:

Do you vow to share trust and rely on one another in this union? To work together so that you might attain power that alone you could not?

Officiant:

With the time taken and the knot complete, in this cord, your intentions meet. You are bound in hand and sealed in love. _________, _________, you may tie your knot.

Officiant:

With the rings given, the vows shared, and the knot tied, there is not a lot left for me to say. I call to witness this moment, the joining of these two, the sealing of their marriage covenant, the blessing of their union… and along with Bjorn Fae, the blessing of their family… By the power you have vested in me by the Universal Life Church, before the eye of Odin, and the eyes of Thor, Loki, Freya, and the inhabitants of Asgard… I pronounce you married!

You may seal with a kiss.

Officiant:

It is my great honor to present, to this realm and every realm… now and forever wed, _________ and _________!