This is one of the many symbolic Ceremonies I include in the Weddings I officiate and have decided to share it with my Etsy Customer Family.

~This custom item is created with your input for a Traditional Wedding Hand Fasting/Binding Ceremony.
It is made from a long piece of soft Deerskin leather that has Feathers and beads on each end in whatever colors you choose for Your Wedding.

TheHand Fasting/Binding is a beautiful Ceremony with deep symbolism. It is not only a Tradition in many Tribes but also has it’s history connected o the Celtics and symbolized the promise the couple makes each other to be bound to one another for life
~It is often performed after the ring ceremony and the passing of the rings for blessing among the witnesses (if it is a small enough Wedding I suggest the rings be passed among those add ending so each can bless them. If too large for that, I have it pass among close family and the Wedding Party before passing it back to the officiant for the couple exchange the rings

~Hand Binding Ceremony~
Officiant:
“Some Weddings include a Hand Binding or Fasting Ceremony to solemnize a marriage, to demonstrate the bond between the bride and groom, as well as a physical reminder of the infinite nature of the Sacred bond between the couple. Woven into the cord that binds their hands are the hopes and dreams of this couple and the blessings of their friends and families for their new life together.”
(The bride, some times carries the Fasting/Binding cord with her as a part of her bouquet. Another way is for the Parents or those “standing up” for the couple to present it at the time of the Binding/fasting

“ _____and ______ also desire the support and love of their families and friends in maintaining their bond. Therefore, they have asked *___ and *___ to do them the honor of binding their hands” (*prior to the Ceremony the couple chooses 2 people - often the Maid of Honor and Best Man or the Mothers of the couple)

Now the couple reads the “Cherokee Elemental Wedding Blessing”: (I have had couples that read it together and some that alternated lines until the last line which they say together)

~After the Elemental Blessing~ One person wraps one end of the cord around the wife a couple of times and the other person wraps the other around the husband; If Mothers do it the Husband’s Mom wraps the brides and so forth. Once it is wrapped a couple of times the ends are given to the Officiant who then wraps the ends going in different directions a couple of turns and then making a loose knot to bind them together.

ELEMENTAL BLESSING
Great Spirit in sky above protect the ones we love. We honor all you created 
as we pledge our hearts and lives together.

We honor Mother-Earth
and ask for our marriage to be abundant
and grow stronger through the seasons;
We honor fire
and ask that our union be warm
and glowing with love in our hearts;
We honor wind
and ask we sail though life 
safe and calm as in our Mother/father's arms;
We honor water
to clean and soothe our relationship
that it may never thirsts for love;
With all the forces of the universe you created,
we pray for harmony and true happiness As we forever grow young together!