How to have a legal handfasting marriage?

beautiful_ravens

I would like a handfasting ceremony but a legal marriage - if anyone has any info about this Id be glad, as I know absolutely nothing about weddings etc!

arbroath_lass

You can do this in Scotland.

http://www.scottishpf.org/celebrants.html

thorsoak

If you want a legal marriage - then you are going to have to go through a registry office ceremony - though I believe you can incorporate your own vows. But it has to be conducted by a registrar and officially witnessed in order to be legal.

heartbreak_star

Incorporate it as part of a civil ceremony

HBS x

meritaten

have the civil ceremony in a register office for the legal bit - and then your 'handfasting' celebration.
the legal ceremony only needs you, your OH and two witnesses.

Gloomendoom

It doesn't have to be registry office though does it? Anywhere with an approved venue licence will do.

southcoastrgi

I think someone has been watching too much Emmerdale

Faith177

We had hand fasting as part of our humanist ceremony this year in Scotland.

Unfortunately these are at the moment only recognised in Scotland but there is a law going forward soon to change this.

You could do as others have said and have one but then do the legal parts at a registry office

sulkisu

beautiful_ravens wrote: »

I would like a handfasting ceremony but a legal marriage - if anyone has any info about this Id be glad, as I know absolutely nothing about weddings etc!

Why do you want to have one when you don't know what it is? Seriously, I'm curious.

TonyMMM

As long as you have the required elements of the civil ceremony you can then go on to have whatever else you want ....if you want them as part of the ceremony itself then the registrar will have to agree.

Handfasting has never been a legal way of marrying in England Wales or Scotland. The phrase originates from a 17th century term meaning betrothal which got confused with certain forms of irregular marriage that were historically recognised in Scotland.

masonsmum

I am getting married in November and we are having hand fasting however it is being carried out by a Humanist Minister through the Humanist Society for Scotland.