Wedding traditions vary greatly across different cultures and religions, and one unique tradition that has been practiced for centuries is the witch wedding tradition. This tradition, which originated in Europe, particularly in countries like Italy, Germany, and Scotland, is a symbolic ceremony that is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. In this tradition, the bride and groom are adorned in mystical attire, incorporating elements of witchcraft and pagan rituals. The bride often wears a black or dark-colored gown, representing the power and mystery of the witch, while the groom may don a cloak or cape to align with the magical theme. The couple may also wear symbolic jewelry and accessories, such as pentagrams or other mystical symbols. During the witch wedding ceremony, various rituals are performed to bless the union and ensure a prosperous future for the couple.
A former stylist, McCann also consults with brides to find a “power color” that will bring good vibes to the wedding day; that color can be incorporated into bridesmaid dresses or decor.
She adds that the act of binding people s hands together as a symbolic gesture can be found elsewhere in the world and history, but this is where the practice as we know it began. The term itself is from the Angl0-Saxon word handfæstung, which refers to shaking hands in order to seal an agreement, explains Anna Franklin, an author, practicing witch, and Pagan high priestess.
During the witch wedding ceremony, various rituals are performed to bless the union and ensure a prosperous future for the couple. These rituals often involve the use of herbs, candles, and other mystical elements. For example, the couple may exchange vows while standing in a circle of herbs, which are believed to have protective and purifying properties.
Crystals, Sage, and Wishing Bowls: How to Have a Modern Mystical Wedding
Are crystals and Reiki sessions the new line items in a wedding budget? For more and more brides, a wedding would not be complete without a healthy dose of mysticism—and even a touch of witchcraft.
“If you want to plan a witchier wedding, or just something outside the norm, you want to start with your ring,” says Bri Luna of The Hoodwitch. “Most people gravitate toward diamonds for engagement rings, but crystals and gems have different meanings. A diamond isn’t the worst stone, but it’s not really representative of love. Emerald is the stone that represents the heart chakra.” Melissa Madara, co-owner of Catland Books, wears a moonstone engagement ring. Madara’s wedding will take place at Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery next fall, on a September date that was deemed “fortuitous” by an astrologer. And before the big day, “we’re going to be charging all my jewelry as talismans for the wedding,” Madara says. “My wedding jewelry will sit under the new moon to the full moon. We’re also going to let it sit in ritualized water to make me open and ready to do this life-changing, magical work of marriage.”
For her engagement party, Madara focused on cleansing rituals. “We had someone wash away all the past relationships that we’ve ever had, and bless the one we have now,” she said. “Then we washed our hands in a bath of rue, and everyone at the engagement party pelted us with rose petals.” (For rookie alchemists: Rue is an herb associated with protection; it’s also thought to promote love.) Bachelorette parties are following mystical suit. Colleen McCann, founder of Style Rituals, works with brides to create personalized medicine bags for them to carry on their wedding day. The bespoke kits can hold anything from sage bundles and healing crystals to old photos and herbs that invoke love. And they’re not just for the bride.
Photo: Courtesy of Colleen McCann of Style Rituals“I’ve done many bachelorette parties,” McCann says. “I’ll put together medicine bags for everyone in the bridal party, and sometimes I do it for the groom as well.” In order to put together personalized bags for each member of the party, McCann does intuitive crystal readings to tap into each client’s energetic needs.
A former stylist, McCann also consults with brides to find a “power color” that will bring good vibes to the wedding day; that color can be incorporated into bridesmaid dresses or decor.
With these new traditions come new roles for the wedding party. “I’ll be using my bridal party as my coven; we’re going to be doing a lot of magic together,” says Madara. The night before her wedding, Madara and her bridesmaids will light special incense to ensure that the bride-to-be doesn’t have stressful dreams. And on the big day, Madara’s maid of honor will anoint the bridal party using a custom oil infused with herbs associated with grounding and love. Those herbs may include rose hips, licorice root, and lemon balm. “I also like jasmine for this sort of thing because it’s a bit dreamier and makes you feel like you’re in a fairy tale,” Madara says.
McCann has been known to “sage off” wedding couples before they walk down the aisle; other couples are engaging in relaxing pre-ceremony rituals ranging from meditation to sound healing and more. “It’s really important to have self-care the morning of the wedding,” says Sarah Bisceglie of Maha Rose Center for Healing. “You know how hectic weddings get—people start coming early, you have family members you have to entertain. But it’s very important to prioritize relaxation to get ready for what will happen.”
Bisceglie recommends an early-morning meditation on the day of the wedding. “If you can meditate in the morning, you can continually visit that relaxing, grounding place that you started the day in,” she says. Lisa Rose Lodeski is a master Reiki practitioner who meets with couples before wedding ceremonies, typically about an hour before they’re set to walk down the aisle. (Don’t fret: “I can do Reiki standing, so that the dress doesn’t get wrinkled,” Lodeski says.) “We have a whole lot of nervous emotional and physical stuff that comes up right before we walk down the aisle,” Lodeski says. “But Reiki helps clear the energy, clear the aura, so that as two people come together as a couple, their energy is totally clear. They’ll be relaxed, their chakras will be balanced, and any kind of block that’s keeping them from feeling their authenticity is removed.”
By the 1700s, Franklin explains, some communities treated handfastings as trial marriages. Two people could have a handfasting, go off and live together as a couple, then, after a year, decide if they wanted to stay together. At that point, a couple could either seal their union with another ceremony or go their separate ways. That's why traditional handfasting vows usually had a time stamp on them — Franklin says a common promise made was "I give myself to [partner's name] for a year and a day" or "I give myself to [partner's name] for thirteen moons."
Candles are also lit to illuminate the path of the couple's future together and to invoke positive energies. In addition to these rituals, couples may incorporate other elements into their witch wedding, such as the ritual of jumping the broom. This tradition involves the couple jumping over a broomstick, symbolizing the crossing of the threshold into a new phase of their lives. It is also believed to bring good luck and fertility to the couple. Throughout the witch wedding ceremony, songs, chants, and blessings may be recited to invoke the blessings of the spirits or deities associated with witchcraft. These rituals and incantations further add to the mystical and magical atmosphere of the wedding. While the witch wedding tradition may not be as commonly practiced as other wedding customs, it holds a special significance for those who embrace witchcraft or have an affinity for pagan rituals. It offers a unique and alternative way to celebrate love and union, while honoring ancient beliefs and customs. In conclusion, the witch wedding tradition is a fascinating and enchanting practice that showcases the diversity of wedding customs around the world. By incorporating elements of witchcraft and pagan rituals, couples can create a truly magical and memorable wedding ceremony that reflects their personal beliefs and values..
Reviews for "Spellbinding Rituals: Incorporating Witchcraft into Your Wedding Ceremony"
1. Samantha - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Witch Wedding Traditions". The plot was weak and the characters lacked depth. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be unique and ended up with a confusing mess. The writing style was also very amateurish and there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-developed and engaging story.
2. John - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Witch Wedding Traditions" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was extremely slow and it took forever for anything interesting to happen. The author seemed more concerned with describing the setting and atmosphere instead of focusing on the plot and character development. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters. While the idea behind the book was intriguing, the execution was lacking, making it a forgettable read.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I found "Witch Wedding Traditions" to be a rather dull and uneventful read. The story lacked any real tension or excitement, leaving me bored and unengaged. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or complexity. Additionally, the writing style was not particularly captivating and I frequently found myself skimming through pages. Overall, this book was a letdown and I would not recommend it to anyone seeking an engaging and enthralling read.
4. Alex - 1 star
"Witch Wedding Traditions" was a complete waste of time. The plot was predictable and clichéd, offering no surprises or originality. The characters were unlikeable and lacked any redeeming qualities, making it difficult to root for them. The writing style was uninspired and failed to create an engaging reading experience. I found myself struggling to finish the book and was left feeling unfulfilled. I would not recommend this book to anyone who appreciates well-crafted and thought-provoking literature.
5. Jessica - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Witch Wedding Traditions" but sadly, it fell flat. The story lacked cohesiveness and the plot felt disjointed. The author introduced numerous subplots that were never fully explored or resolved, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. There were also several inconsistencies and plot holes that lowered my overall enjoyment of the book. While the concept was intriguing, the execution was disappointing, making this a forgettable read.