A Druid Wedding Ritual

I had these grand aspirations to do a wedding series of videos on my channel and blog in the month leading up to my wedding. Well, I got videos recorded but never managed to finish the editing process or actually post much. Instead I find myself, days after my wedding, finally getting the silly things posted. Thanks for all of the new subscribers who waited patiently!

The video covers a bit more about what Brad and I considered as we planned the ritual part of our wedding. We had a traditional circle casting, offering to ancestors, a handfasting, personal vows with ring exchange, and then a circle closing. You’ll find the script below. I hope it helps inspire other couples!

Setting:

Vilas Park, the small island between the arched bridges on the walking path,  couple and officiant in the middle, guests standing in a circle around couple,  each “element” stands at their cardinal direction on the circle, mark circle in snow beforehand. Officiant welcomes guests to stand in circle before procession. Guests are welcome to take photos. Programs will be handed out by ?

Cast & Props:

Officiant: Jeremy Grozavescu

Wedding Party: Elizabeth Oberle (MOH), Krista Farrell (Bridesmaid), Andrew Hanson (BM), Jake Lang (Groomsmen)

Guardians of Elements: Sarah Cummings (Water), Ed Niles (Fire), Steve Kaftanski (Air), Tyler Fero (Earth)

Items Needed: Stone (Earth), Tall candle (Fire), Feathers (Air), Spring Water, Dunphy Irish Whiskey, Cords for handfasting, lighter, marriage license and pen

Procession:

Play the song “Rockelbel’s Canon (Pachelbel’s Canon in D)” by The Piano Boys on Danni’s Phone

Brad with parents, groomsmen on South bridge

Danni with parents, bridesmaids on North bridge

Groomsmen and bridesmaids walk first to meet each other at the circle followed by Brad with parents and Danni with parents doing the same.

Casting the Circle:

Officiant: Welcome to the wedding of Bradley Lang and Danielle Niles. To honor the promise they are making together, we shall begin by making space for that promise by calling on the four directions.

Walks to the element in the East.

With the blessing of the hawk of dawn soaring in the clear pure air, I call upon the powers of the East!

Air: Spirits of the East, powers of air, bless these lovers with every breath they take and offer kind words and listening ears!

Officiant walks to the element in the South.

Officiant: With the blessing of the great stag in the heat of the chase, and the inner fire of the sun, I call upon the powers of the South!

Fire: Spirits of the South, powers of fire, warm their days and nights with passion and growth!

Officiant walks to the element in the West.

Officiant: With the blessing of the river otter of wisdom who dwells within the sacred waters of the pool, I call upon the powers of the West!

Water: Spirits of the West, powers of water, may their love run deep and strong as the rivers of all the world!

Officiant walks to the element in the North.

Officiant: With the blessing of the great bear of the starry heavens and the deep and fruitful earth, I call upon the powers of the North!

Earth: Spirits of the North, powers of earth, give them a strong foundation on which to stand.

Officiant walks to the center to stand before the couple.

Honoring the Ancestors:

Officiant: To stand here today, is to stand in the presence of those who came before us. We are grateful for the family, friends, and all ancestors who join us only in spirit. May their presence, their memory, always guide and strengthen the couple.

Officiant pours a small mouthful of Dunphy’s Irish Whiskey on the ground in offering to the ancestors.

Vows:

Officiant: With the aid of the elements and your family, you’ve come today to make a vow of marriage. Do you, Bradley, come here freely to seek the bond of handfasting with Dannielle?

Brad: I do.

Officiant: Do you, Dannielle, come here freely to seek the bond of handfasting with Bradley?

Danni: I do.

Officiant wraps handfasting cords around Brad and Danni’s joined hands while saying the following:

Officiant: Then before the gods, goddesses, and these witnesses, I bind you with this cord. It is the bond of love alone that joins you. Let it not be a restriction, but a loving sharing. Stand together, but not too close, for nothing thrives in the shadow of another. Listen to the music of the other’s heart and appreciate it for its own beauty, and do not insist that your songs are the same. Let your love stand firm, like the mountains of the earth; let it sing like the wind in the trees and burn like the midsummer fires. Let your love flow like the tides of the sea, freely and always moving, soul to soul.

Brad & Danni together:

          I offer you my body, that we may know pleasure together.

          I share with you my mind, that we may find wisdom together.

          I open my soul to you, that we may grow in spirit together.

          I offer you my heart, that we may love each other, wholly and unselfishly.

Officiant, Brad & Danni together: So mote it be.

Officiant holds hands up for guests to respond “So mote it be!”

Officiant: The knots of this binding are not formed by these cords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the cords and tie them again, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making of and remaking of this union.

Chords are are removed

Officiant: As a daily reminder of these cords and promises, may you now exchange rings and personal vows.

Brad: handwritten vows

Danni: handwritten vows

Marriage license is signed

Officiant: Now that you have joined yourselves in marriage, may you strive always to meet this commitment with the same spirit you now exhibit. We all bear witness to this ceremony you have just performed and you may now call yourselves by those old and respected names, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

Yay! Kissing!

Releasing the Circle:

Officiant: Before we leave, let us thank the spirits of this place.

Officiant walks to the element in the North.

In the name of the great bear of the starry heavens and of the element of earth, I thank the powers of the North.  

Earth: May peace be ever in the North.

Element North turns to face outside of the circle and walks to join other guests.

Officiant walks to the element in the West.

In the name of the river otter of wisdom and the element of water I thank the powers of the West.

Water: May peace be ever in the West.

Element West turns to face outside of the circle and walks to join other guests.

Officiant walks to the element in the South.

In the name of the great stag and the element of fire, I thank the powers of the South.

Fire: May peace be ever in the South.

Element South turns to face outside of the circle and walks to join other guests.

Officiant walks to the element in the East.

In the name of the hawk of dawn and the element of air, I thank the powers of the East.

Air: May peace be ever in East.

The circle is now open but remains unbroken in our hearts! May we all carry the love and peace found here out into the world!

The couple encourages you to join them at the Old Fashion for drinks and dinner. They will be taking a few short photos with immediate family and the wedding party here but will join you shortly.