The Celtic tradition of handfasting can be a true testament to those who wish to enter into a spiritually binding commitment. Many people who've found true love but choose not to pursue a legal marriage, find this alternative option an amazing way to join together with love ones and celebrate a service which offers all of the joys and festivities of a traditional marriage without the legal aspect. These timeless ceremonies can also add a heartfelt and romantic touch to any traditional legal wedding ceremony & are usually a staple for Celtic, Pagan, Irish & Scottish weddings. A handfasting ceremony is spiritually & universally recognized HOWEVER please remember that handfasting does NOT replace a legal marriage certificate when it comes to matters of family courts, assets division or insurance beneficiary requirements. If you want the marriage recognized legally, it can be included as a portion of a traditional marriage ceremony (usually right before the rings are exchanged). Handfasting is a tradition that was used before legal marriage was invented & it is thought to represent a much deeper commitment than a traditional legal marriage which often includes phrases like "as long as you both shall live" or "till death due us part", for example. This differs in a handfasting ceremony as these phrases are excluded & the hands are bound in the hereafter in addition to the physical life. This ceremony is conducted in a similar fashion to a traditional wedding except that after the rings are exchanged (if rings are included) the couple holds hands & the best man & maid of honor each place an end of the traditional rope over the couple's joined hands then pull simultaneously placing a knot in the rope (this is where the expression "tie the knot" comes from).