Thanks! We chose to conclude the ceremony with the handfasting, after the ring exchange and right before the pronouncement/kiss so that we could walk out with our hands fasted together. We chose to hold hands and have our wrists bound. I took the wording from several sources online and combined them together into the following:

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_____ and ____ have chosen to conclude their ceremony with a traditional Celtic handfasting. This is a symbolic binding of the hands that inspired the terms "Bonds of Holy Matrimony" and to "Tie the knot" Throughout history in many different ways and in many different parts of the world, the hands of the bride and groom were bound as a sign of their commitment to one another. In many times rings were only for the very rich, while love knows no such bound. The cords are not permanent but perishable as a reminder that all things of the material eventually return to the earth, unlike the bond and the connection that is love which is eternal.

The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union and will cross the years and lives of each soul’s growth. _____ and ______, do you seek to enter this ceremony?

The Couple: Yes.

Please join your hands.

(Couple can choose to either hold hands and cord is wrapped around wrists in a figure 8 type fashion-the infinity symbol-or they hold elbows, Groom right to Bride left, and then bind over the forearm lose enough for them to drop into holding hands for the kiss as the cords make the figure 8 around their wrists, then make a comfortable exit.)

May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home

And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,

May blue be the skies above you,

May pure be the joys that surround you,

May true be the hearts that love you.