Quotes and Readings for a Handfasting Unity Ceremony

The handfasting ceremony is one of the oldest known marriage unity rituals. The ceremony continues to thrive in cultures throughout the world and among modern couples who want to incorporate a visual symbol of their lifelong bond into their celebrations. This selection of quotes and poems are a perfect representation of the meaning behind the blessing of the hands.

Readings for a Handfasting Unity Ceremony

"This cord of ribbons symbolizes so much. It is your life, your love and the eternal connection that the two of you have found with one another. The ties of this handfasting are not formed by these ribbons or even by the knots connecting them. They are formed instead by your vows, by your pledge, your souls and your two hearts, now bound together as one."
- Source: For This Joyous Occassion

"You touched my hand and reached my thoughts,
You kissed my lips and reached my heart,
You looked into my eyes and touched my soul.
No words were said, no thoughts exchanged.
Through only a touch you changed me,
With only a kiss you moved me,
With only a look you brought me life."
- Author Unknown

"Across the years I will walk with you
in deep green forests; on shores of sand.
And when our time on earth is through,
in heaven, too, you will have my hand."
- Robert Sexton, "The Promise"

"Upon this day, our hands we bind,
A symbol of our hearts entwined.
To witness this, we ask of thee,
Our union forever blessed be."
- Author Unknown

"Blessing of the Hands"
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that, even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving the you same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
-Author Unknown

Handfasting Quotes for Wedding Invitations, Programs and Guest Favors

• "Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads, which sew people together through the years." - Simone Signoret
• "Man is a knot, a web, a mesh into which relationships are tied. Only those relationships matter." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery, "The Little Prince"
• "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:12
• "On this day, the day of our wedding, I promise you this: I promise you to lay my heart in the palm of your hands." - Burke's vows, "Grey's Anatomy"
• "And your will shall decide your destiny. I offer you my hand, my heart and a share of all my possessions. I ask you to pass through life at my side -- to be my second self, and best earthly companion." - Mr. Rochester, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
• "Whatever Jesus lays His hands upon lives. If He lays is hands upon a marriage, it lives. If He is allowed to lay His hands on the family, it lives." - Howard W. Hunter, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• "Take my hand,
  Say you’ll be true.
  Say those simple words,
  Oh, I love you, only you.
  Take my hand,
  Oh, and hold it tight.
  Take my hand
  And everything will be alright.”
  - Wayne Toups, “Take My Hand”
• "Reaching out and taking someone's hand is the beginning of a journey. At other times, it is allowing another to take yours." - Vera Nazarian, "The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration"
• "The hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
• "I will love you with all my heart,
  To have forever -- never to part.
  This is a promise ingrained in me,
  Take my hand and let it be."
  - Diana Lynn
• "Love took me by the hand;
  Love took me by surprise.
  Love led me to you,
  And love opened up my eyes."
  - Michelle Branch, "Drop in the Ocean"
• "Here's my love, take it. Here's my soul, use it. Here's my heart, don't break it. Here's my hand, hold it and together we will make it forever." - Author Unknown

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