So you’re having a Pagan wedding! Though the internet might still be lacking in the Pagan wedding department, Offbeat Wed’s been a go-to source on them since the Middle Ages (ok, the early 2000s). We’ve shared everything you need to know about Pagan weddings, how to be a guest at a Pagan wedding, and real Pagan weddings! If you search the term Pagan on our blog, there’s no shortage of information on how to plan a Pagan wedding.
We’re putting all of our favorite Pagan wedding resources in one place! Think of it as your essential internet guide to all things Pagan. We’ll talk Pagan wedding traditions, Pagan wedding scripts for ceremonies, Pagan wedding vows, and of course, Pagan wedding dresses and wardrobe.
Pagan wedding traditions
Circles and Sacred Spaces: Pagan wedding ceremonies often involve casting a sacred circle, which is believed to create a space between the mundane world and the spiritual realm. This circle is a symbolic boundary where the ceremony takes place. It’s Pagan wedding tradition to mark the circle with stones, candles, or other natural objects.
Elements and Directions: Pagan wedding traditions often include the recognition of the four classical elements (earth, air, fire, water) and the four cardinal directions (north, east, south, west). These elements and directions may be invoked or represented during the ceremony.
From this Los Angelos Pagan wedding:
Before entering the spiral, guests were given a cleansing smoke bath of burning sage and handed an amethyst stone to bless with their good wishes. From there, the ceremony included a tribute to the four directions…
From Kate and Danyal’s Pagan wedding
Handfasting: Handfasting is a common Pagan wedding tradition where the couple’s hands are bound together with cords or ribbons, symbolizing their union and commitment to each other. This practice is the origin of the phrase “tying the knot.”
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Samhain Memorial Altar: The memorial altar is a focal point for honoring and remembering deceased loved ones, ancestors, and other spirits during this time. This Pagan wedding tradition is way to pay tribute to those who have passed away and to create a connection between the living and the dead. The items placed on the altar often have symbolic significance and are chosen to represent the spirits being honored. A few things we’ve seen our readers have placed on their altas include crystals and stones, water and mirrors, divination tools such as tarot cards, or elements of the autumn season like leaves, gourds, and pumpkins.
As practicing Pagans, we also incorporated many elements of our spirituality, such as tarot readers at the reception and a Samhain memorial altar.
From Bethany and Kate’s autumn witch lesbian wedding with tarot and beer
Pagan wedding ceremony scripts & Pagan wedding vows
Looking for a Pagan wedding script to inspire your ceremony? Or perhaps you need to see an example of how to incorporate Pagan wedding vows? We’ve got dozens of scripts from real Pagan weddings to help get your writing mojo going. Here are a few of our favorites:
Pagan wedding vows from ancient faiths
We found excerpts of ancient readings from all over the world that would be PERFECT for Pagan wedding vows!
Halloween Pagan wedding ceremony script with a handfasting
These cords will now be tied around your hands as a physical representation of the decision you make to bind together your lives. As I call upon an element, each party member will approach and drape their cord across your hands.
Read more from this Halloween handfasting Pagan wedding ceremony script
A stealthy Pagan wedding ceremony reading
Want to incorporate Paganism into your wedding ceremony without excluding your Christian guests? This reading shows you how!
We ended up using a rather long quote from The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk to both cast our circle and open the ceremony — it acknowledges religion and belief, with a bent towards the elements, without hitting anyone over the head with it. My Catholic sister tied our handfasting cord, and I think a general acknowledgment of belief, rather than religion, really helped grease the wheels.
Read more from this stealthy Pagan wedding ceremony reading
A Pagan wedding ceremony script with gender-neutral language
Looking for a Pagan wedding ceremony script that’s also gender-neutral? We’ve got those! This one includes Pagan and Norse traditions, references to Doctor Who, Stranger In A Strange Land, Star Trek, Harry Potter, and Tom Robbins, and more.
Hail, Frigg. Mother of Gods, High Wife of Asgard, Mistress of marriage, I ask that you join this rite. With love stretched across your loom, you have woven the wyrd of these two souls together. May they be held together by divine appointment and divine love. May you protect their union, as you protect your home and hearth. May you heal their future strife, as you heal the wounds of warriors. We thank you for bringing Wren and Ash together. May your love be expressed through them now, and always. So Mote it Be.
Read more from a polyamorous Pagan wedding ceremony script with gender-neutral language
A Pagan wedding ceremony script with a land blessing
An Offbeat Wed reader shared their Pagan handfasting ritual It includes introducing the handfasting ritual which included a reading, jumping the broom (which is called a besom) pledges from family and friends, a ring-warming ceremony, and more!
I call upon the land of Raven’s Knoll
Read more from this Pagan wedding ceremony script with a blessing and handfasting
The mysterious ways of the Bonnechere River,
Mysterious as the shadows of Mirkwood
Shadowed as the depths of the swamp
Deep as the waters of the sacred well
Write your own Pagan wedding ceremony script and vows
If only there was a comprehensive and thorough guide to creating a ceremony script…Oh, wait! The Offbeat Wed Officiant Pack is your guide to creating a unique ceremony from scratch. There’s even a section that guides you through creating your vows! So you can add your Pagan wedding elements in, merged with whatever the heck else you want in there.
P.S. If you have someone special who you want to officiate your Pagan wedding, this is the perfect “proposal” gift for them!
Ready to start planning your Pagan wedding?
From Pagan wedding ceremony scripts to Pagan wedding rituals, no two Pagan weddings are alike! Don’t let the lack of information out there discourage you from planning the Pagan wedding of your dreams. Get inspired by real Pagan weddings in our archive.
