Attending NY NOW, the Market for Home & Lifestyle show at the Javitz Center in New York City was a whirlwind of an experience.  Handfastings Magazine went to search for the best products for our readers, and we came away with some top product picks.  Whether you are a bride, groom or handfasting officiant, we’ve found a little something for everyone.

Endless Possibilities

Since everyone here at Handfastings Magazine is basically obsessed with handfasting cords, we thought it highly appropriate to begin at the beginning.  We discovered the most beautiful hand-dyed ribbons at Hanah Silk.

The ribbons come in silks, satins and velvet and feel so luxurious in hand.  Hanah Silk offers thousands of different ribbons in a myriad of colors.  They are about 3" across and are cut on the bias, so they're perfect for braiding into a handfasting cord or creating flowers for circlets, boutonnieres or other wedding accessories.  However, these ribbons are so beautiful they stand alone, and you may find one perfectly suited for your handfasting, as-is.  

What makes these ribbons so unique are the beautiful hand-dipped colors and color combinations that seem to dance across the silk.  Their descriptive color names are catchy: "Leaves Turning," "Mossy Rock," and "Raven" are enough to entice a handfasting officiant to braid a thousand cords. 

Look for a full-feature editorial in a future issue of Handfastings Magazine.
www.hanahsilk.com
Where to find:
ARTEMIS, www.artemisinc.com 
M&J TRIM, www.mjtrim.com

Seeing the Light

Who wants to set up for a wedding ceremony by lighting candles with a boring old match?  If beauty and elegance are important to your rituals, why not use an impressive Social Light decorative lighter?  The company touts them as "The best looking refillable utility lighters ever," and we agree! Add this to your list of unofficial magical tools.  Go to www.sociallighters.com to find a store nearest you.

A Little Love for Your BFFs

Your friends have been with you thick and thin.  You chose them to be your bridesmaids because you cherish their friendship.  So of course you want to give them meaningful bridesmaids gifts to thank them for being there for you once again, this time on your special day.

You can truly show them you care by giving your BFFs some inspiring, delicately designed silver and pewter jewelry from a conscientious company: YANA.  YANA stands for "You Are Not Alone," whose company's inspiring mission is about being there for others.  

In addition to jewelry, they sell cute graphic tees, hats, hoodies and more.  YANA donates a percentage of their proceeds to the YANA Foundation, which supports or recognizes people, initiatives and organizations that need assistance and/or practicing YANA's mission.  Give back to your bridesmaids, your closest friends and loved ones, by giving them the gift of YANA and let them know you'll always be there for them.   YANA's online store launches early September.  Go to www.YANAcares.com to learn more.

There are a number of online sites where you can purchase some lovely cords.  Just Google "handfasting cords" and you'll see a number of links come up.   We have seen some lovely handmade cords online by a number of different artisans.   

Alternatively, your local High Priestess or minister may be able to provide this service for you.  Some of the officiants at the non-profit organization Handfastings.org are wonderfully creative and offer the service of creating one-of-a-kind handfasting cords for your special day.  All you have to do is ask!  

Another alternative is to create the cords yourself.  You can braid several colors (that are meaningful to you and your partner) of cords and ribbon together.  You can even add some symbolic charms to them, such as a pentacle, heart or special stone.  A handfasting cord should be approximately 9 feet in length (buy the ribbons longer, as braiding shortens them).  You can get the ribbon, cords, or yarn from craft or fabric stores, and then once it is made you can bless them on your altar if you have one, or have your handfasting officiant bless it for you.   

Due to the fact that handfasting cords are not widely commercially available in any market, we must improvise and create what we need for ourselves and each other.   Wedding officiants who perform handfastings or couples who are planning on getting married with a handfasting ceremony have to get creative, make their own cord, or find someone who is willing to make one for you.

Luckily, there are many spirited artisans who enjoy crafting cords specifically for this purpose.  Handfastings Magazine has found many great crafters on websites such as Esty.com, Ebay and other sites dedicated to crafting handfasting cords.

To meet the demand of our readers, however, Handfastings Magazine is planning on helping you source ribbons, tulle, wool, and other items and trinkets in order for you to make the handfasting cord you envision. 

What to do with your cords after the ceremony?

Your sacred handfasting cord is a symbol of your union and a beautiful keepsake after your ceremony for years to come.  While it is the couple who forms the bond by their vows and their intent and not by the handfasting knot itself, the cord nevertheless becomes a symbolic and meaningful heirloom that can be handed down from generation to generation, and can even be reused by the child of the couple that originally used it, much like a daughter will wear her mother's wedding dress (or a part of it) on her own wedding day.

So what on earth does a couple do with their cords after the ceremony?  Many people preserve their cords in a beautiful keepsake box.  Some place their cords on display on a shelf by wrapping it around other wedding keepsakes, like around their wedding chalice.  

One couple decided to tie their cord to the end of their handfasting besom (broom) and has it displayed over the door to their home.  

You can even tie your cord to the top of a bedpost (if you have one) to ensure fertility if you do so desire.  Or you can simply go to a craft store, purchase a shadowbox, and pin up your handfasting cord into an infinity symbol and display it in your home.  Be creative and have fun!