Handfasting is a Celtic pagan ritual that symbolizes unity. The tradition involves a couple’s hands being tied together with cords or ribbons as they face each other . Vows are typically exchanged as the hands are bound together.  This was once used as an unofficial wedding ceremony, because Handfasting alone meant that people were not sure if they were betrothed or not. This all stopped when the Marriage Act became part of English law in 1753. Nowadays it can be used  as a pre-marriage ceremony for up to a year before a wedding or as we would do an Engagement Ceremony. But it could also be incorporated in the wedding ceremony.