A Dundee bride chose to follow her legal wedding service with a less orthodox marriage ceremony.
The second ceremony was an ancient Celtic handfasting ritual, in which their hands were tied together to symbolise their union.
Kevin and Gail Griffiths decided they wanted something special for their wedding day and this was something Gail, who is originally from Dundee, wanted to do.
The ceremony would traditionally bind the couple together for a year and a day, to allow them to decide whether they wished to spend their lives together. After that time they could either walk away or have it blessed and stay married.
Handfasting is a ceremony not a service but was still legally accepted in Scotland until 1940. This style of ceremony was recognised by clans as a formal union and is the origin for the phrase 'tying the knot'.
Some years ago I attended a wedding which included a handfasting ceremony and it was very moving. The couple both had strong clan ties and the ceremony was performed by the groom's clan chief. In the film Braveheart didn't William Wallace enact his own handfasting?
Source: Courier
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27 comments:
Is a slip knot acceptable?
They must have been proud to have Dumbledore conduct the ceromony.
I do like the 'sale or return' aspect.
Marriage? In Dundee? :o)
Nice to see couples embracing the notion of a 50-50 relationship, as illustrated by this ceremony.
However the principal never seems to extend to the wife taking responsibility for 50% of the overdraft when the marriage breaks down !
A waddin in Dundee?
Sir William Wallace tied the knot in the historically correct Braveheart and he went to The High School in Dundee.
So there, don't malign Dundonians as they sometime do the honourable thing.
Ah BL, I knew the male species would have some comments to say about this.
Good one though!
Nothing wrong with Blair Oliphant Ollie, he's a real live chieftain he is.
Aye the Scots had it right until 1940 so they did. ;)
Jim I could tell you stories so I could but I don't want you to think I'm a softie.
Jings BL, not many independence voters come out of the High School these days, although I may be out of date there.
And Rab, tut tut. Dundonians are civilised to a degree you know. I think we're the softest hearted Scots around.
Gordon Brown and David Miliband ’supported Lockerbie bomber’s release’
Gordon Brown and David Miliband supported releasing the Lockerbie bomber from jail, according to official minutes of a meeting with the Libyan government.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/6122729/Gordon-Brown-and-David-Miliband-supported-Lockerbie-bombers-release.html
Jim,
How true, mind you I'm not complaining, just negotitated a reduction!
The joys of Exs!
Cue for a country and western song "I want to hold you, darling, but my hands are tied".
Let's hope the bride and groom did not have any Scottish country dancing at the reception.
"Handfasting is a ceremony not a service but was still legally accepted in Scotland until 1940."
Who made it illegal and why???
I Thought handfasting happened at an early age and was then followed by a wedding later on, but then again they always do things strangely in Dundee!
Hmm, a change of career may beckon...
Appreciate the link Stuart, thanks.
You lucky man you CD, I never managed to do that. :(
Ah brownlie, I've heard that song a few times I can tell you. :)
Good position for birling though brownlie don't you think?
Wikipedia doesn't say scunnert. Isn't the term 'bidey in' from this ceremony?
Fitaloon, I knew (she's dead now and so is he) a couple in Alford who were married this way. She was very proud she'd never left him. :)
So it's not just daft Dundonians, it seems to have been a Scotland wide arrangement.
First you've to get elected clan chief Conan... Shouldn't be too difficult that, you definitely look the part. :)
"birling"? is that what they call it in Dundee. Do you still "jump the broom-stick" there.
I don't think so brownlie. Wasn't that Connie Francis? Was she from Dundee?
"Birling" is what the Hearts supporters do when they vigorously rotate their scarves.
Is that no' just them acting daft Jim? I like a good birl masel' but I get dizzy these days.
Caledonian Jim
One of their most famous supporters is a fan of birling with little old ladies.
Ahem ... and who may that be brownlie? ;)
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