THE SACRED CIRCLE

(Celtic tradition)

The union of two souls and two bodies in one was, among the Ancient Celts, blessed by the spirit of the Earth. Thus the ritual and the celebration took place in contact with nature, in the middle of a clearing of trees, near water, with a lit fire, and often among large stones, considered to be the bones of the earth. The sacred circle was drawn around the spouses, with a blessing. The circle tends to act mystically, to create a sacred dimension within itself.

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THE BLOOD PACT

(Scottish tradition)

In ancient times, handfasting was above all a blood pact: during the ceremony, the right wrist of the bride and groom was lightly incised with the tip of a dagger until the blood bled out. Then the two wrists were tied tightly together with the "wedlock's band", or rather a long strip of fabric that bore the colors of the clans to which they belonged.

This is the formula that in 1700 was recited by the two spouses (and it is also the one used in the now very famous TV series Outlander):

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Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.

I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.

I give ye my Spirit, `til our Life shall be Done

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Another more recent formula popular in Scotland is:

 

Now you are bound one to the other

With a tie not easy to break.

Take the time of binding

Before the final vows are made

To learn what you need to know

To grow in wisdom and love.

That your marriage will be strong

That your love will last

In this life and beyond

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CLADDAGH

(Irish tradition)

"A ring has no beginning or end and as such symbolizes eternal love"

The Claddagh ring dates back to around 1500, and the two hands holding the heart symbolize friendship; the crown is loyalty; and the heart symbolizes love.

The reason for the custom of wearing the ring on the third finger comes from the fact that the Celts believed that the vein on it went straight to the heart. For this reason it has become a symbol of the lifelong bond of love.

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THE JUMP OF THE BROOM

(Welsh tradition)

The tradition is of Welsh origin, but we can find it in various parts of the world, from Eastern Europe to the Americas.

Different symbolisms are used in this rite. In the act of sweeping, not only is cleaning done but negativity is removed, as well as everything old. It will help the life of the spouses, which will be full of novelties and beautiful things. Through the jump of the broom, the spouses make a great act of courage by launching themselves into this new couple's adventure. In some ceremonies, the bride and groom first jump over a fire and then onto the broom. Fire has the power to purify, and also represents passion and consequently fertility. Fertility is another symbol related to broom jumping. This tool is considered magical by witchcraft traditions and, like all elongated objects, it propitiates fertility by announcing the arrival of numerous offspring.

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HORSESHOE

(Irish tradition)

Irish brides used to wear a real horseshoe pointing up when they were married as a good luck charm since if the pointed ends point down, the luck is null. The heavy horseshoe was sewn inside the wedding dress, and after the wedding the bride and groom hung it over the door of their house, to preserve the luck inside it.

According to popular traditions, iron was so powerful that spirits wishing to harm you could not pass through it. There was also the belief that the bride was targeted by these evil forces on her wedding day, and that therefore she could be deceived, cursed or even kidnapped. So, the only thing that could protect her was wearing the talisman.

For good luck, you can embed a small horseshoe pendant in a bracelet or necklace, bouquet, hairdo, or sew it into the hem of a dress.

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TRADITIONS, SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

(Celtic tradition)

Many different gods, goddesses and spirits are worshiped by pagans. Elements are also represented in various ways. The officiant will call upon these beings or powers to join the event as the ceremony begins.

 

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE.

(European tradition)

This is one of the most present traditions in Italy that almost all brides follow. Something old to wear symbolizes the bond between the bride and her family of origin. It can be a jewel or an accessory, and until recently it was often also the mother's wedding dress, adapted to her daughter. Something new to wear is the symbol of new life, with the hope of a beautiful married life. It can be the wedding dress, shoes, jewelry or other accessories. Something borrowed symbolizes the affection of loved ones. It can be anything, the important thing is that the bride then returns it. Something blue is a very old custom, and symbolizes lasting and faithful love.

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NEITHER VENUS NOR MARS MARRIED NOR LEAVES, NOR BEGINNERS THE ART.

(Italian tradition)

This superstition is widespread in Italy, and the reason for these inhibitions derives from the culture of ancient Rome where the days of the week were dedicated to the divinities. In the Roman calendar we find favorable days (dies fasti) and unfavorable ones (dies nefasti). Tuesday was consecrated to Mars, the god of war, and Friday to Venus, goddess of love but also of deceptive femininity. For this reason the Latins, who were very superstitious, associated them as "negative days" with starting weddings, travel and jobs.

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SHORTBREAD

(Scottish tradition)

Shortbreads are the world-famous flaky, buttery biscuits that are a real institution in Scotland. The original name that was attributed to shortbread was "Petticoat Tails", since the original shape was large and round and was cut into wedges. In the Shetland Isles, there was a wedding custom of making decorated shortbread, and breaking a piece over a bride's head before she entered her new home.

It is still quite common that, even today, in the North of Scotland, spouses make small bags of Shortbread  to offer them as a gift to their wedding guests.