Fall in Love with the
​Original Wedding Ceremony Tradition.
​Tying the Knot!

What is a Handfasting?

Deluxe Handfasting Cord

Deluxe Handfasting Cord binding a Pagan couple during their wedding ceremony in a forest in Co. Meath. Using material and flowers from the brides wedding dress, diamante chains, charms and beads including colours of significance, this Deluxe Handfasting Cord was created by Vanessa at Aisle Do! Wedding Services, Ireland. Photo credit: © MIAN Photography, Ireland

Handfasting is a beautiful enhancement to add into a wedding ceremony. A Handfasting Ceremony has its roots in ancient Celtic tradition, Brehon Laws and dates as far back as 7000 B.C. In ancient Ireland, when two people chose to be married, they were brought together, symbolically bound to have a braided cord or hessian around their hands by the celebrant in marriage. This is where the term “Tying the Knot” comes from, the Celtic Pagan tradition of Handfasting.

Coloured ribbons and cords have a special meaning and by incorporating these colours that bind the couple's wrists into a Handfasting cord, they are invoking these very special meanings.

The Handfasting cord can either be made of several colours, twisted into one cord and then used for a single cord ceremony or each colour can be draped individually as in the multi cord Handfasting. For example, the couple may choose four to six colours, there are no limits. They may chose to have family chose the colours on their behalf and perhaps involve their children, special people who represent the most important to them as the embark the next step in their marriage.

As each and every handfasting cord made to date are as unique as my couples. To order a handfasting cord, reach out  to discuss what you would like in your cord. We can chat about colour options and perhaps include pendants, material from your wedding dress or loved one, add a loved one charm or something else of significance that is important to the both of you.

Here are some of the meanings attached to the colours:

• Red - will, love, strength, fertility, courage, health, vigour, passion
• Orange - encouragement, adaptability, stimulation, attraction, plenty, kindness.
• Yellow - attraction, charm, confidence, balance, harmony
• Green - fertility, luck, prosperity, nurturing, beauty, health, love
• Dark Blue -for a safe journey, longevity & strength
• Light Blue - tranquillity, understanding, patience, health
• Purple - healing, health, strength, power, progress
• Black - strength, empowerment, wisdom/vision, success, pure love
• White - spiritual purity, truth, peace, serenity and devotion
• Gray - balance, neutrality, used in erasing, cancelling, neutralizing, and return to the universe without repercussion
• Pink - love, unity, honour, truth, romance, happiness
• Brown - for healing , skills & talent, nurturing, home & hearth, the earth.
• Silver - for creativity, inspiration & vision, and protection.
• Gold - for unity, longevity, prosperity, strength.

 Below is a gallery of Handfasting/ Hand Binding/ Hand Tying Cords designed and supplied by Aisle Do! Wedding Services over the years.
Oh yeah, this is me, Vanessa, behind the scenes. Hi there!
​Yes, a handfasting cord started out as strips of multiple ribbons and materials! 
The cords I have made with love in my heart, have been taken back home across the country and globe; a beautiful keepsake to remind our couples of the day they Tied the Knot.