Wedding and Marriage — The Sacred Vows of Love in Asatruism

Viking weddings were more than social contracts – they were sacred ceremonies where vows were made before the gods and where life and the future of the family were at stake. Weddings were a time of celebration, blood and magic , and both gods and ancestors were called to attend.

Timing and significance

Most Viking weddings took place during the summer, when travel was possible and nature was in full bloom. The ceremony often coincided with the blót – especially the blót to Frey and Freyja – which blessed the marriage with love, fertility and happiness. The wedding marked not only a union between two people, but also between two clans , an important way to ensure alliances and succession.

Rites and runes

A central ritual was the drinking ceremony, in which the bride and groom drank from a shared horn. The horn was sometimes carved with runes for good luck, protection, and fertility:

• ᚴ (kaun) – “passion, vitality, energy”
• ᛘ (maðr) – “man, community, alliance between clans”
• ᚠ (fé) – “prosperity and wealth”

These runes were carved on horns, jewelry, or wooden figures, and served as magical signs to bind the couple and protect their future.

Thor was often invoked as a blessing, and sometimes songs and incantations were also performed that linked the wedding to divine power and cosmic order. The wedding could last for several days, with music, poetry and festivities, and stories of heroic deeds and gods were told to provide inspiration and protection for the new couple.

Legacy and traditions

The wedding rituals show how Asatru united love, magic and society . Many customs in today's Nordic weddings – such as drinking from a common glass or honoring ancestors – have their roots here. The role of the runes shows that words and symbols had real power: they were a way of uniting man and god, life and future.