Handfasting at Frieda And the Moon
A beautiful alternative wedding…
Alternative wedding? Handfasting? Wicca betrothal? Frieda And The Moon is one of the foremost locations in Cornwall for those seeking an alternative wedding.
Hand-fasting is an ancient symbolic act of betrothal, where hands are ritually tied together (with a beautiful ornate ribbon) linking the couple for a year and a day. Grounded in nature, this ancient Celtic ceremony predates Christianity.
The handfasting ceremony is usually celebrant led (we have some of the best in Cornwall on hand…) and stands alongside any cultural tradition or religious belief you may hold. Your hand-fasting wedding can be a symbolic betrothal (with signed certificate), or can be integrated into a traditional legal wedding.
Traditionally the newlyweds remain bound by the hand-fasting ribbons until after the wedding festivities, and are then escorted to the bedchamber amidst much riotous partying.
In ancient times the hand-fasting was always celebrated with cake and ale — at Frieda And The Moon, you can order a “pagan banquet“ for your wedding, a variety of Cornish artisan ales or ciders, and home-made cakes.
The ceremony can be as imaginative as you wish, incorporating special elements personal to you, your journey as a couple, and your story together.
Hand-fasting weddings often take place outside. We have 13 acres of hidden Cornish countryside – why not take a short walk and be married beside a natural spring, or through the woods to a huge ancient beech tree? Immediately outside The Studio, our beautiful wedding venue, are our three terraced interlocked circular lawns edged with traditional dry-stone walls. These represent the Celtic Triad from the Celtic wisdom tradition: “…three things love-able in a person: tranquility, wisdom, and kindness”. This makes an ideal location for a betrothal in nature.
As an extra special touch, we can plant a tree in our woodland as part of your ceremony, with an engraved plaque commemorating your marriage buried beneath its roots. We can advise on how to make a time capsule if you would like to incorporate a few small symbolic items of special significance to you, to rest in nature for perpetuity.
All original illustrations by Paul Waterman are framed and for sale in The Studio. SOLD
More artworks here.