How to Choose a Handfasting Cord: A Practical Buyer’s Guide

Once you have decided to include a handfasting in your ceremony, the next question is a practical one: which cord should you use? A handfasting cord will be handled during the ceremony, photographed close up and, for most couples, kept for many years afterwards. It is worth taking a little time to choose one that looks right, ties easily and feels meaningful.

This guide walks you through the main decisions – material, length, number of cords, colours, charms and timing – so you can order with confidence.

1. Decide what you want the cord to say

Before thinking about sizes and materials, think about the story. Do you want a cord that matches your wedding colours? One that celebrates your heritage, such as a Scottish thistle or Irish shamrock? Or one built around meaningful colours and symbols? Having a clear idea makes every other decision easier. If you are unsure where to start, our guide to handfasting cord colours and their meanings is a good place to begin.

2. Choose a material

Couples use all sorts of materials for handfasting – tartan sashes, lace, silk scarves, rope, even a family heirloom. Each has its own character:

• Satin ribbon is soft, smooth and comes in a huge range of colours. Woven or braided satin ribbon creates a cord with a lovely sheen that photographs beautifully and is gentle against the skin. All Intertwined cords are woven from satin ribbon.
• Tartan or fabric sashes are traditional in Scotland and a lovely way to honour a clan or family tartan, but they are bulkier and do not form neat knots.
• Rope or twine suits rustic and nautical themes, but can be stiff and rough to tie.
• Heirloom fabric such as a grandparent's scarf carries great sentimental value and can be used alongside a woven cord.

Whatever you choose, make sure it is flexible enough to wrap around your hands several times and soft enough to tie without a struggle.

3. Get the length right

Length matters more than most people expect. A cord that is too short makes wrapping awkward and leaves no tails for an elegant knot, while one that is far too long can tangle. Around 1.5 metres is a versatile length that works for the most popular tying methods, including the infinity knot, the kiss or saltire, and the loop. That is our standard length, and each Intertwined cord is approximately 1.5cm wide – substantial enough to look good in photographs without being bulky.

You might want a longer cord if you plan an elaborate wrap, if several people will be tying cords, or if you want the ends to hang down dramatically for photographs. Shorter cords can suit a very simple tie. If in doubt, ask your celebrant which method they plan to use.

4. How many cords do you need?

Two cords are the most common choice: one representing each partner, tied together to represent your joined lives. But there is no fixed rule:

• One cord keeps things simple and works well for a short, symbolic tie.
• Two cords suit the kiss/saltire method and the “one for each of us” symbolism.
• Three cords are often used to represent the couple plus the marriage itself, or past, present and future.
• Four to six cords let you involve parents, children, grandparents or close friends, each adding their own cord and blessing.

Read more about sharing the moment with loved ones in how to involve family and friends in your handfasting.

5. Pick your colours

Most woven cords look best with three colours, which gives contrast and movement as the strands spiral. Using one or two colours creates a bolder, more intense look. A useful trick is to combine one light, one medium and one dark shade so each strand stays visible. Remember that ribbon colours can look different on screen, so if exact matching is important, compare against a real swatch or photo of your colour scheme in daylight.

Our curated designs each start from a theme – such as the night sky in Celestial or the Scottish landscape in The Highlands – while a custom order cord lets you choose every colour yourself.

6. With or without charms?

Charms add a personal, symbolic finishing touch and catch the light beautifully in photographs. Popular choices include the tree of life, hearts, infinity symbols, anchors, thistles and moons. Some couples prefer a clean cord without charms, especially if they plan to frame it later. If you do choose charms, consider how they will sit when the cord is tied – charms at the ends of the cord tend to hang neatly below the knot. Our guide to handfasting charms and their symbolism explains the meanings behind the most popular designs.

7. Think about the finish and the feel

Look closely at how a cord is finished. Neat, secure ends stop fraying when the cord is handled, and an even weave means the cord will lie flat when wrapped. Pick the cord up if you can: it should feel soft and supple, not stiff. If you have sensitive skin, a smooth satin ribbon is usually more comfortable than rough rope or twine.

8. Order in good time

Handmade cords are usually made to order, so build in time for making and delivery. Intertwined cords take around 3–7 working days to make, plus postage. We would always recommend ordering a few weeks before the wedding, so you have time to practise your knot with your celebrant and to sort out any last-minute changes. Store your cord flat or loosely coiled in its bag until the day so it stays crease-free.

9. Plan what happens after the ceremony

Finally, think about what you will do with the cord afterwards. Many couples display their cord at the reception, tie it around a bouquet or frame it with a photograph from the day. Knowing this in advance can guide your choices – for example, a cord destined for a shadow box frame might suit charms that sit flat. See what to do with your handfasting cord after the wedding for ideas.

Quick checklist

• Theme or meaning decided
• Material that is soft and easy to tie
• Length around 1.5m (or as advised by your celebrant)
• Number of cords agreed
• Colours chosen and checked against your palette
• Charms chosen – or none
• Ordered with enough time to practise

Ready to browse? Explore our handmade handfasting cords or start a custom order to create a cord that is completely your own.