Is handfasting too "pagan"?

I don't really think pagan, but I certainly don't think of it as religious. I would assume a non-religious couple would do a handfasting. All of the religious ceremonies I have seen do the "three cords" ceremony as opposed to handfasting.

However, I'm an atheist, so I don't get hot and bothered by people adapting other traditions to fit themselves. Perhaps a conservative Christian would find it unsettling.

I am jewish and my partner is catholic. We choose to do a spiritual handfasting or celtic. There is a huge difference between celtic and a Wiccan hand fast. The Wiccan was explained to us as to include circles made with a broom and much longer. My officiant does both. The handfast is the oldest tradition and dates back further than traditional ceremonies. We checked with our officiant to make sure our ceremony was not Wiccan.

Handfasting is an excellent way to bind yourselves to each other. It is simply a union. Yes it is popularized by paganism, but it is just fine to use it in any wedding ceremony. Especially if you are honoring traditions and heritage.

I identify as pagan and I would say that it isn't pagan exclusively. Your heritage is truly what matters. Being of similar descent we are doing a hand fasting as well, not because of the pagan aspect, but because it is the oldest form of a wedding contract!

I'm with Mrs DJTImmy... I'm Pagan and I see handfasting as something that's one of the oldest forms of uniting two people. Christian or Pagan or Wiccan... it still has the same intent and meaning, and that's to tie (literally) to people spiritually forever.

Thank you for your thoughts! I feel better about it now, thank you!

AMW, It's OK that it isn't religious; we will invite God into the ceremony in other ways. :-)

We're having a nondenominational ceremony and we are doing a handfasting. I simply like the symbolism of the hands. I wouldn't worry about it being associated with paganism; many wedding traditions incorporate aspects of different cultures. If you like it, do it.

I've officiated at least half-a-dozen handfastings -- in commitment ceremonies and in weddings. I even included one in a betrothal ceremony that I never got to use (groom-to-be ended up not booking me).

We actually considered a handfasting, as we both are very connected to our Irish roots.

I think you'll be fine.

So want to do this as FH and aren't religious

I dont think so. My fiance is irish and scottish and im part irish. We are doing a handfasting ceremony. We are kon denominational.

We had the God's Knot...or Cord of three strands which is Christian.

http://www.godsknot.com/pages/cord-of-three-strands

Im pagan, and we are doing a handfasting. I wouldn't call it 'too wiccan' its just something many people of that background tend to side towards usually (not always) there are added parts along with the handfasting that tie into the religion as well-- the handfasting is just the preferred ceremony. If its something you want to do I say go for it. ETA: i meant to say, the religious ties are added to make the ceremony fit the couple, not that the only religious ties should/can be pagan/wiccan-- just incase i wasnt clear.

No. We do this all the time and most of my couples have no idea that it could be interpreted as pagan.

Excellent! Thanks again, everyone. This is just what I was hoping to hear! I'll look into the three cords ceremony, too.