The bride in waiting
The groom places wine in the chalice.
The groom invokes the Goddess (Isis)
The groom welcomes the Goddess's presence.
The bride and groom hand in hand, stating their period of intention of the duration* of the handfasting: into spirit sphere
The groom places his athame into the chalice of wine (symbolizing the male/female principles joined together)
Fasting of the hands together (using the red cord of the groom, note the white cord of the bride is still on her).
The groom offers the chalice of wine to the bride, who drinks of it.
The groom now partakes of the wine (note that the red cord still binds the right (sword) hand of the groom and the left hand of the bride).
Unfasting of the hands
Oops, I was not in time:-(: Bride and groom just kissed each other!
A present (traditionally always given by the groom to his bride after the handfasting)
Unwrapping the 40 million year old present (an ammonite).
The groom is reading the inscription on the card to his bride:
May the Goddess bless our future together, on this sphere and its spirit sphere.