Pagan wedding venues are becoming increasingly popular options for couples who want a unique and non-traditional ceremony. These venues often provide an enchanting and mystical atmosphere that aligns with pagan beliefs and practices. Pagan weddings celebrate nature, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all things. There are numerous options for pagan wedding venues, ranging from outdoor locations such as forests, meadows, gardens, and beaches to indoor spaces like castles, historical buildings, and pagan temples. The chosen venue should reflect the couple's personal connection to nature and their spiritual beliefs. One of the benefits of pagan wedding venues is the opportunity to incorporate various pagan rituals and traditions into the ceremony.
Magical, Mystical Weddings
Weddings are a reflection of the couple getting married. For many couples, their wedding would not be complete without adding a bit of mysticism or even witchcraft to their events. Those couples are in luck because mystical weddings are on-trend for 2020. There are lots of ways to add a little or a lot of mysticism to their special day from the engagement to the day of the ceremony.
Jewelry
Couples that want to include mysticism in their wedding should start at the beginning. Forget traditional engagement jewelry; diamonds do nothing to promote love or affect your chakras. Emeralds are a better choice as they represent the heart chakra. If a moonstone brings you a good vibe, don’t worry about sticking to traditional wedding stones.
The Bridal Coven
Brides are finding many ways to bring mysticism to their mystical weddings and wedding events. Instead of a traditional bachelorette party, think about rituals to cleanse chakras and give all participants good energy. Do a yoga class, hire a reiki healer to work on the bridal party, have a mystic do readings for your group-anything that promotes peace and good energy for the big day. Create medicine bags for your bridesmaids using incense, candles, meaningful crystals, and herbs. Bridesmaids can carry them on the big day.
The Ceremony
If you want to include mystic (or magical) elements at your mystical wedding, it is easy to do these days. Start with the decor-candles, incense, sage, and crystals are perfect bridal decor. Your officiant can be a shaman, spiritualist, medicine woman, or whoever you want to bless your union. Anoint your guests with grounding oils and herbs associated with love as they arrive.
The Reception
Your reception should be a reflection of your tastes as a couple. Use candles and crystals as part of your tabletop decor. There are lots of fun, positive things to do at your mystic reception. Have someone doing tarot readings for guests. When your invitations go out, have guests return a slip of paper with a good vibe wish on it. Then as guests leave the reception, they take a wish from the bowl. The guests get the wish meant for them.
The Date
One of the most crucial parts of mystical weddings? Finding the perfect date. Some couples consult numerologists, psychics, and shamen for the right wedding date. Others pick a time that has meaning. The magical date for 2020 is 10/10/2020. The date is a perfect wedding date as it is a Saturday in the ideal part of Fall. Not too hot and cooler weather in the evenings and the foliage has begun to change in the Appalachian Mountains. Hidden River Events still has booking availability on 10/10/2020 to make your mystical mountain wedding a reality. If you would like to book this date (10102020) CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!
Pagan wedding venues
A Celtic Wedding or Pagan Hand fasting is a ceremony designed to celebrate your marriage, partnership or relationship.
Many couples are choosing to celebrate this way as it allows them the choice and freedom to be part of designing their own ceremony, to make it meaningful and unique to themselves.
These ceremonies are suitable for couples in second relationships, for renewal of vows, LGBT couples and for couples of different birth religions. Legal solemnising service also available.
One of the benefits of pagan wedding venues is the opportunity to incorporate various pagan rituals and traditions into the ceremony. These may include walking in a circle, invoking the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water), exchanging vows in front of an altar adorned with natural elements, and performing handfasting, a symbolic act of binding the couple's hands together. Pagan wedding venues also offer flexibility in terms of decor and themes.
Celtic Wedding Pagan Handfasting Ceremony Outline
Blessor
The Ard Druí will hold the role of facilitator and master of ceremonies and on occasion; a second Ard Druí (man and/or woman) may assist – both will be dressed in traditional Cotúns as these are our Celtic Druid robes.
Rehearsal Timing
Everyone is to meet before the appointed time for the ceremony for a rehearsal. This means the couple and men and the ladies who have responsibility in the ceremony. Professional musicians may arrive half an hour before the actual ceremony.
Venue
The ceremony of handfasting may take place at any safe outdoor location, and we advise couples to always book a room that is hired as a standby in case of inclement weather. A very simple altar will be made if the ceremony is to be indoors or outdoors. Here at Castlerea in Co Roscommon we can offer the use of our wooden roundhouse Celtic Druid Temple, our private outside ceremonial enclosure and our Hemp Hall in the main building giving you a choice of secure indoor weather proof locations for your ceremony.
- Estimated duration of ceremony - 30 to 40 minutes.
- Allow an extra 20 minutes for the celebration toast.
- The Ard Druí will tidy the space used for the ceremony.
Detailed below is the basic format for all Celtic Wedding Pagan Handfasting ceremonies. It may be modified to suit your individual occasion and preferences. Once you decide that you would like to have a Celtic Wedding Pagan Handfasting facilitated by an Ard Druí from Celtic Druid Temple you can contact us by email and we will email you back as per our planning guidelines here.
Entrance and calling
The Ard Druí will conduct a space clearing before the ceremony begins.
The couple enter separately, one inviting the other to enter the ceremonial space. Each will have a symbol of their union handed to them. We suggest a sword and a drinking horn filled with mead / wine / beer / water.
Being at peace before the union
This is the time of quietness - of just being quiet This shows that there is no hurry or duress. The Drinking Horn will be lowered and with a gesture from the Ard Druí the the Sword tip will be dipped into the Drinking Horn for a moment symbolising the silent agreement of union
Celtic Druids Cross of Light.
The Ard Druí facilitator will perform the Celtic Druid's Cross of Light and give the Blessing to the Three Realms which connect us to the Sky, Sea and Land. This is explained and demonstrated by the Ard Druí and the whole group can perform it, if so wished. It is a series of movements coordinated with the breath and some Irish words. It's focus is to harmonise and energize the aura of the person/group performing it and sends a blessing to the three realms of Sky, Sea and Land. This is how we start all of our ceremonies.
Beginning the Ceremony
The start of the actual ceremony will be announced and a call sent out for a friend or family member from each side to enter the circle to say a few words about each of the couple.
If any member of either party wishes to read a short story or poem this is the time set for it. Instrumental acoustic music can be played.
The Ard Druí will ask all to remember those who have passed on and to share a moment for those little ones who have just joined us.
A friend or family member may give a short reading for special intentions or to recognise our blessings.
Preparing for the Vows
Before the vows are said the Ard Druí will share some thoughts on what it means to be Pagan and also on the meaning of a Celtic Marriage / Pagan Handfasting as a partnership.
Securing the Vows
The Ard Druí will now lightly tie the cloth ribbons or handfasting cords over the pair of joined hands to the sound of gentle acoustic music.
A Celtic Druids Blessing
The Ard Druí now offers a triple blessing for this Relationship.
The Handfasting Knot is tied
The Ard Druí will now untie the joined hands and tie one ribbon onto each of the couple's wrist.
If the couple choose to exchange rings, this may take place now. The ribbons will be kept on the hand until the morning sunrise and smile.
Closing and Celebration
If using the Drinking Horn the couple can now share a drink together from the same cup. Now the group will have the appointed person pop open the champagne / wine / mead / beer / water for a toast by the friends / family of the couple. the ceremony is considered complete when the couple leave the circle.
Copyright Celtic Druid Temple © 2013. May not be used without permission.
Wedding Packages
Paperwork Only - The couple, the witnesses, the officiant (no vows, no ring exchange, no romance):
$150 + HST at my home
$175 + HST (Georgina)
$250 + HST (Toronto and York Region-East of Bathurst Street)
$275 + HST (Toronto and York Region West of Bathurst)
Areas outside of Toronto and York Region have a .58/km travel fee to and from my residence.
Short and Sweet
CURRENTLY NOT OFFERING UNTIL
JANUARY 2023
Short and Sweet - (Sweeter than an elopement but shorter than a traditional wedding)
(Words of Welcome, Reading, Legal Questions, Vows, Ring Exchange, Significant Blessing or Reading, Pronouncement, Signing of Papers) This is appropriate for 10 to 25 people. The duration is approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
$375 +HST (Toronto and York Region East of Bathurst
$400 + HST (Toronto and York Region West of Bathurst
Areas outside of Toronto and York Region have a .58/km travel fee to and from my residence.
Renewal of Vows
Just like the Traditional Wedding minus the paperwork
Short and Sweet minus the paperwork
Prices are the same for the Short and Sweet but with a $25 price reduction
Traditional Wedding minus the paperwork
Prices are the same as the traditional wedding but with a $25 discount
Areas outside of Toronto and York Region have a .58/km travel fee to and from my residence.
Elopements (couple, 2 witnesses, officiant, a few guests)(Words of Welcome, Short Reading, Legal Questions, Vows, Ring Exchange, Short Blessing or Reading, Pronouncement, Signing of Papers) This is appropriate for about 10 people or less. The duration is approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Prices vary according to location:
$225 + HST at my home
$250 + HST (Georgina)
$275 +HST (Toronto and York Region - East of Bathurst)
$300 + HST (Toronto and York Region West of Bathurst)
Areas outside of Toronto and York Region have a .58/km travel fee to and from my residence.
Traditional Wedding Any Style
Traditional Wedding (Words of Welcome, Reading, Short story of couple’s journey, Legal Questions, Vows, Ring Exchange, Unity Ceremony (optional at no additional cost) Significant Reading or Blessing, Pronouncement, Signing of Papers):
$475 + HST (Georgina only)
$500 + HST (Toronto and York Region East of Bathurst)
$525 + HST (Toronto and York Region West of Bathurst)
Areas outside of Toronto and York Region have a .58/km travel fee to and from my residence.
Destination weddings and boat ceremonies are possible. The additional pricing is guided by the extra time spent waiting, launching, and cruising before the ceremony begins. As well, a water taxi should be arranged for the officiant's return to shore after the ceremony. Boat ceremonies usually start at $600.
A walk-through a week before the wedding is available. However, it is only recommended for larger ceremonies with numerous bridesmaids and groomsmen
parking fees, water taxi
Please scroll down to read about examples of unity ceremonies
Couples can opt for a rustic, bohemian style with elements like wildflowers, candles, and feathers, or they can embrace a more traditional and elaborate setting with Celtic symbols, pagan deities, and magical objects. While many pagan wedding venues cater specifically to pagan couples, there are also alternative options for those interested in a pagan-inspired wedding. Some venues may be open to hosting pagan ceremonies and adapting their space to accommodate the couple's needs. In summary, pagan wedding venues provide a unique and spiritual backdrop for couples who want to celebrate their love in harmony with nature and pagan beliefs. These venues offer opportunities to incorporate pagan rituals, embrace a variety of decor styles, and create a memorable and spiritually significant wedding ceremony..
Reviews for "Sacred Sanctuaries: Pagan Wedding Venues with Mystical Vibes"
1. Karen - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to having my wedding at a pagan wedding venue, but I was quite disappointed with my experience. The staff seemed disorganized and unprofessional, and the venue itself was not well-maintained. The ceremony area was not properly set up, and the decorations looked tired and outdated. Additionally, there were limited options for catering, and the food that was served was mediocre at best. Overall, I feel like I did not get what I paid for and would not recommend this venue to others.
2. John - 1 star - I had a terrible experience at this pagan wedding venue. The staff was rude and unaccommodating. They made us feel like a burden throughout the entire planning process. The venue itself was also disappointing. It lacked the natural and mystical atmosphere that I was expecting. The overall ambiance was lacking, and it felt more like a generic event space than a unique pagan location. I would highly recommend looking elsewhere for a more authentic and enjoyable experience.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was excited to have a pagan-themed wedding, but this venue fell short of my expectations. Firstly, the communication with the staff was lackluster. They were slow to respond to emails, and it often felt like we were not a priority to them. On the day of the wedding, there were also errors in the setup. The altar was not properly arranged, and some of the ceremonial items were missing. It was quite disappointing to have these important details overlooked. While the venue itself was beautiful, the lack of attention to detail and poor communication left a sour taste in my mouth.
4. Mike - 3 stars - While I didn't dislike the pagan wedding venue, I found it underwhelming. The atmosphere was pleasant, but it lacked the mystical and enchanting vibe that I was expecting. The staff was friendly enough, although it seemed like their knowledge of pagan traditions was limited. The catering was average, nothing outstanding. Overall, it was an okay experience, but I expected more from a pagan wedding venue.