Handfasting is also one of the rituals adopted by the early church from pre christian ceremonies and in many churches the priest or vicar will still wrap his stole around the hands of the couple and say 'those whom god has joined' etc. This has also given rise to the term tying the knot as a euphimism for marriage. In the days when not every village had a church travelling priests would call round every few months. Couples wishing to get married in the meantime would 'tie the knot' and then jump over a broom - hence the expression 'living over the brush' referring to couples living together but not married. It all sounds like a jolly good excuse for a great weekend - Valentine's day too you old romantics! Can't wait - see you around six hopefully on friday.
Jane