Legality
The United Kingdom still acts in a discriminative way and does not recognise the Pagan belief, unlike many countries such as the US. However it is not illegal to carry out such ceremonies. But you must understand they are not legally recognised nor official in the UK. To be legally married or inform the authorities on a new Birth or register a Death you must follow the legal practices required, as failing to do so could lead to prosecution, your local registry office should be contacted for more information.
However, many People from all paths and traditions prefer to show and commit to each other in a way that means more to them. Likewise they wish a persons passing to be conducted in a way that means more to them or celebrate a Birth in a traditional way.
As an Eclectic Minster this means I am not bound to any one tradition nor path but instead can and do practice things from all paths and all traditions and place this under the umbrella term of Pagan. All paths and traditions have their roots based in the Pagan ways. This means that regardless of your belief, tradition or path you can be assured of a ceremony that suits you.
I work in the Staffordshire area but will travel providing expenses and if required accommodation is paid for.
Handfasting
Ceremonies can be carried out on public land providing the number of guests is below 10, e.g: a beach or a forest, woodland with public access rights of way, or carried out on private land (recommended) with the land owners permission. Many ceremonies are carried out in peoples private residences and gardens, or in hired hall and now becoming more popular public houses where the landlord of the establishment has given permission and will usually have a beer garden for the event. The timing of the handfasting ceremony is flexible and many wish for ceremonies to be carried out in a traditional way by the light of a full moon at midnight, and this is fine but does depend where you wish to do it. If you are looking for a more traditional ceremony then there will be limitations to the number of gusts, normally a couple of witnesses.
As the minster for this I will ensure that everything needed is provided in terms of my attire, and correspondences, such as blessed water or oil, handfasting ribbons and so on. If agreed upon prior a ceremonial dagger may be worn (private land only). Also any alter items will be supplied as required.
Prior to setting a date please use the contact form below and I will contact you to arrange things. We will then discuss what vows you wish and theme for the ceremony. Partnerships of Handfasting can be between a man and woman, woman and woman or man and man. All Handfasting partners must be 18 years old and ensure they have proof of their age. 16 years sold can be considered with parents consent and presence at the ceremony.
The cost of this excluding travel fees and potential accommodation fees is £100. The actual ceremony lasts for around 30 – 45 minutes. After you will receive a certificate of Handfasting.