Today’s Saturday’s Latest is a feature on an Etsy Virtual Bridal Show Team member whose work I have admired and I’ll be honest, coveted, for a good while. Many brides and grooms choose to have a handfasting ceremony as part of their nuptials (Mr. Wondermous and I will). Be they of Celtic ancestry, belong to an earth based religion, or a secular couple looking to incorporate a bit of long-standing tradition in to their wedding ceremony, the integral part of a handfasting ceremony are the cords that you and your love bind your hands with. It’s a moment that I feel requires the same attention to detail as your centerpieces and wedding day look. Finding all of the bits and bobs for your cord as well as the time it takes to weave all of them together can be a bit daunting. Why not have Claire of Binding Ties make you a breathtaking handfasting cord?
“I married the other half in a fantastic tiny ceremony on a remote beach in Scotland a couple of years ago. We didn’t want a church wedding, and didn’t like the rules that were dictated to us if we got married in a certified location like a stately home, so we had a Humanist ceremony, which meant we could pretty much write the rules ourselves. We had a fantastic time picking a location and planning the whole thing, and we included handfasting as part of the day (I fell in love with the idea after seeing the gorgeous moonlit ceremony in Braveheart years ago!). Trouble was, I really struggled to find any cords that were exactly what I wanted – handfasting has been something that’s been viewed as predominantly pagan until the last few decades, so most cords were a little too un-sparkly for my liking. So I decided to make my own, and a little while after that, Binding Ties was born!”
“Handfasting cords are part of an ancient Celtic wedding tradition, and the origin of the phrase ‘tying the knot’. I create high quality, luxury handfasting cords, as individual and as unique as you and your special day. Cords can be created from satin, silk, velvet, ribbon, lace, or elaborate braiding, or made using more ‘natural’, earthy elements such as leather, suede and cotton. I only use the finest elements, no cheap plastic beads or unravelling cords, and the ends of all strands are either treated to prevent fraying, or fixed into decorative caps which allow for further embellishment. You may only use your cords for one day, but I make them so they last a lifetime.”
Claire has recently begun creating garters as gorgeous and unique as her beautiful handfasting cords. She can even coordinate your garter or jewelry with your cord, giving it the same attention to beauty and detail that prior customers have raved about, “SO AMAZING! The detail and depth, I cannot even believe it! The pictures do it no justice at all. Thank you so much for helping with such an important part of our special day.” Watch the slide show for a taste of Claire’s luxe creations!
‘Saturday’s Latest: Etsy Virtual Bridal Show Team 11/24/12’ by ravengrrl
 BBQ dry rub – Southwest Chip… $3.00
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 BBQ seasoning – blackened ca… $3.00
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 BBQ Rub – sweet mesquite bar… $3.00
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 Steak seasoning – classic st… $3.00
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 Wedding bouquet photo charm…. $7.99
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 Luxury garter in teal blue a… $16.95
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 Marilyn Monroe Inspired Floo… $550.00
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 silk lace wedding shawl, bea… $220.00
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 silvery lavender silk lace s… $190.00
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 Wrist Corsage, Sweet Pink Fa… $17.00
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 Designer Baroque Pearl Neckl… $395.00
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 Elegant Holly Boutonniere Ho… $19.95
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 Wedding Invitations–Message… $15.00
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 Ivory faux fur jacket shrug … $99.99
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 Guest Book, Wedding Guestboo… $125.00
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 Photo Save the Date $5.00
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