WWPL EP 9 Handfasting Planning, Couple Homework Reminders & the #1 Love Story Word to Delete

In this episode, we get primarily (despite my attempts to the contrary) into a question that sounds simple… until you’re standing there with a ribbon (or maybe cord?), a binder, and two nervous marryers staring at you:

Handfasting.

We break down the two most important questions to ask your couple before you do any kind of handfasting — plus where it can fit in the ceremony (depending on a lot of factors), what can go unexpectedly, and how to avoid turning a beautiful ritual into a logistical circus.

Also in this episode:
→ the usual Unboring weather roll-call
→ some live tech/audio hiccups (because of course)
→ how to politely nudge couples when they’re not answering your questionnaire
→ and one word you should remove from your love story writing forever: remember

TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS
0:00 – Weekly Wedding Prep Live begins
0:40 – Holiday season vibes + “going to the city” in rural NB
1:58 – Snow layers + the windshield washer fluid mistake (summer spray = frozen sadness)
2:46 – Hellos from the chat + weather check-in
5:01 – “We need Christmas music for the intro” (royalty-free headaches)
6:05 – Couples not answering in time (teaser — we hit this later)
9:02 – What this live is for: wins, challenges, scripts, and real officiant problems
10:16 – The bobblehead conspiracy + the Purolator Christmas-present panic
12:02 – Audio cutting in and out (live show problems)
13:48 – New here? What to do + how this community works
14:19 – Today’s main topic: Handfasting
15:06 – Why officiants can’t make assumptions (even about “basic” ceremony stuff)
17:46 – Handfasting background + “tie the knot” origins
21:03 – Handfasting: the 2 things couples MUST decide
21:55 – 1) What are you tying? (ribbon vs cord vs rope, braided options)
23:47 – 2) What do they want to DO while tied? (and for how long)
25:12 – Where handfasting fits in the ceremony (and why placement matters)
26:08 – Hands tied + vows + mics + paper = logistics you must plan
27:16 – Why most unity rituals land best AFTER vows
28:22 – Ring exchange complications (hands tied = rings become hard mode)
29:14 – The cleanest “flow” option (vows → rings → handfasting → pronouncement)
30:06 – If they want to stay bound: WHICH hands to tie (walking, turning, signing table)
33:36 – Why Officiantly doesn’t “force” a handfasting template (too many variations)
35:48 – Rapid recap: object → expectations → placement
36:03 – Real example: including kids in the handfasting (sweet chaos)
39:11 – Practical question: “How do you tie it while holding the binder?”
41:19 – Pro move: hand off binder, use silence well, then continue
45:24 – Couples not answering your questionnaire: how to nudge them without being weird
49:20 – The email framing that actually works (keep it positive + goal-focused)
55:48 – The word to ban from your love story writing: “remember”
1:00:01 – Why “remember” breaks the story spell (and what to write instead)
1:00:50 – Wrap-up + links + see you next Thursday

🧰 Tools for wedding officiants:

🎯 Unboring!Wedding Academy — the flagship course for the full officiant style and system. Includes a 1-ceremony Officiantly trial:
https://www.unboringweddingacademy.com

💻 Officiantly — ceremony planning and automation for wedding officiants. Love Story writer upgraded, AI edits in Script Draft rolling out:
https://Officiant.ly

📈 Pro Course — the business roadmap for professional wedding officiants: pricing, reviews, marketing, bookings:
https://www.unboringweddingacademy.co...

🌐 Website Starter for Wedding Officiants — done-for-you 5-page site with hosting and email:
https://www.unboringweddingacademy.co...

Join us Thursdays at 12:00 PM Eastern for Weekly Wedding Prep Live. Bring your questions about officiating a wedding, wedding vows, rehearsals, and ceremony scripts. See you next week. Marry on. 🙌

#weddingofficiant #weddingceremony #officiating #weddingtips #Officiantly