Handfasting ceremony
The Handfasting ceremony is an alternative wedding ceremony mostly associated with Nordic groups, including English, Scottish and Norsemen. Handfasting can be used to describe three different kinds of ceremonies and commitments. It could be a promise ceremony – held without an officiant, but as a promise to commit to each other (with the option to hold another, official ceremony later in life).
It could also be a form of betrothal – an engagement promise that can only be broken through divorce, or a temporary marriage – which, as the name suggests, is a commitment that can be held for a short time. The Handfasting ceremony doesn’t require any traditional outfits, but it is customary to wear something white (or otherwise a light color) and simple, and the bride and groom tie their hands together during the ceremony.