The tradition of handfasting has been practiced for thousands of years pre-dating any wedding ceremony concocted by any modern religion/faith. Other faiths in England & Wales have their marriages recognised by law and there is no good reason other than bigotry, superstition or misunderstanding why this same right should not be extended to include Pagan faiths.
The Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 made Pagan weddings and handfastings legal in Scotland, allowing Norse, Druids & other Pagans to obtain legally recognised marriage ceremonies in accordance with their faith, but at present Pagans in England & Wales do not have that right.
We request that the government recognise how important it is for people to be able to be joined in matrimony in accordance with their religious beliefs and give Pagan handfastings and wedding ceremonies legal recognition in England and Wales without prejudice and without having to have a second ceremony to legalise the commitment. And most of all it is against our human rights to not be allowed follow our beliefs.