Last week I was invited to an exquisite intimate elopement shoot nurtured in the sights and sounds of nature of the magnificent County of Northumberland organised by the exceptionally talented Gill from Unfurl Photography.

We had one simple mission to champion the beauty of outdoor elopement ceremonies for weddings and renewal of vows in the North East of England. We had no idea just how magical it would be. I am so grateful to our real-life couple Allie and Joe who would usually be out climbing mountains on weekends just not typically doing so in wedding attire. How stunning do they look?

Allie and Joe’s paths crossed at university they have an incredible connection which radiates through the pictures Gill captured. Maybe it’s because she photographed their cool and thoughtful wedding day in 2018 she was able to give very subtle direction to enhance the images or perhaps it’s because she is an absolute talent and her photography style is breath-taking.

We climbed The Simonside Hills until we found the perfect elopement ceremony place, as we walked we bonded over our love of escapism in the great outdoors, tacos and how it great it feels to celebrate original love stories.

We arrived at the most stunning spot, a dramatic and wild hillside for the handfasting ceremony to unfurl. 

Read on to hear how to create your own handfasting ceremony.

What is a Handfasting and How to Create One? 

From the very phrase to tie the knot incorporating a handfasting is a beautiful symbolic ritual that links a tradition from the past with a present moment wrapped in your hopes for the future.

For Allie and Joe, three ribbons were chosen for their elopement ceremony handfasting. Firstly, they take each other’s right hand, holding the hand of another reminds us all that love is what we do best. Within the hands, a token can be placed perhaps the rings, a rose quartz crystal or a love note.

As the handfasting begins, I tie two ribbons to represent their individuality and the third ribbon to symbolise their union. As the binds are made the couple become lost in the moment of peace and calm, a close bond is formed reminding them both that within their hands they hold the making or breaking of this union.

As their hands are entwined, I ask them to recall the moment they knew they were in love as I begin to read a bespoke blessing.

The ties can remain on their hands for the rest of the ceremony, it can add an extraordinary intimacy to your vows and exchange of rings, or they can be gently slipped from their hands and kept safe.

You can add your style to your handfasting by choosing your type and colour of fabrics and deciding on the number of ties you would like to make. For example, one of my couples invited all their guests to bring a tie to create a stunning multi-coloured hand-tying tapestry. As each guest circled the couple and placed their fabric on their hands, they made a silent wish for their future.

There are many ways to tie the knot too from infinity knots to my personal favourite the fisherman’s knot, which becomes stronger the more that you pull on it which is an excellent metaphor for a marriage.

For more information on elopement ceremony packages, please get in touch.