Did You Know “Tie the Knot” Meant This at Weddings?

You've most likely heard the phrase "tying the knot" numerous times throughout your life. In daily conversations, on television or in magazines, the tie the knot phrase has become a regular part of our wedding lingo. Even though the ritual of tying a knot is one of the most popular unity ceremony ideas, not everyone knows the meaning of tying the knot and why the idiom is so prominent in our everyday dialogue. So if you've ever thought, "What does tie the knot mean?" we have the answer for you. Plus, fun facts about the history of tying the knot, how you can add this common expression throughout your wedding and much more.

In this article: Meaning | Origin | History | Ideas | Ceremony Planning | Synonyms

Tie the Knot Meaning

In a wedding context, you can define "tie the knot" as the time when one gets married to someone or the performance of a marriage ceremony. Some believe this contemporary "tie the knot" definition comes from one of many wedding traditions and superstitions where to-be-weds tie a knot during the wedding ceremony, and because of that, tie the knot can be used figuratively or literally. For example, "Well wishes to the happy couple for tying the knot" is a figurative use of the phrase, while "The to-be-weds did a tying the knot ceremony" is literal. So next time someone asks you to define tying the knot, because maybe you're at your weekly Tuesday night trivia outing, you know exactly what to say.

Tie the Knot Origin

Many cultures use knots as a symbol of unity and even use a physical tying of the knot ceremony to represent this unity. This wedding tradition is often called a handfasting ceremony, which is an ancient Celtic custom where a couple holds hands while someone else binds their hands together with a ribbon or cord. Scholars say that the tying the knot origin comes from Irish and Norse wedding traditions and has connections to Scottish wedding traditions because the Scots have a term for "handfasting" that closely translates to "to strike a bargain by joining hands." The tradition represents the couple being bonded physically and spiritually to each other to show one's commitment to the other person.

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Tie the Knot History

Today, the handfasting ceremony is a unity ceremony that's typically a part of Irish and Unitarian Universalist wedding ceremony orders. Some may not know this, but there is another version of the handfasting and tying the knot ceremony in African-American wedding traditions. It stems from an African ritual, that doesn't have an officially recognized origin, where the to-be-weds' wrists are tied together with various bindings, like a Kente cloth or cord of cowrie shells, while saying their vows and then an officiant ties a knot in the binding.

Tying the Knot Wedding Ideas

Now that you know the meaning, history and origin of the popular phrase, you can feel more comfortable adding the handfasting ceremony to your wedding. But if you want to add the saying throughout your wedding in a more subtle way, we have tie the knot ideas too. Check out these creative knot-tying motifs from real wedding ceremonies and receptions that you can use for your special day.

Tie the Knot Chalkboard Ceremony Sign

Photo: Jessica Christie Photography

At this outdoor wedding, the couple hired a calligrapher to write their wedding ceremony sign. The message on this wedding sign is the perfect way to remind guests that a wedding is about unity and the joining of two families. Want an example of another tie-the-knot message you can put on your ceremony sign? Try, "Grab a drink and pick a spot before [couple's names] tie the knot!"

Tie the Knot Enclosure Card

Photo: The Knot Invitations

If you're having a nautical wedding, it's super easy to incorporate tied knot motifs into just about everything. We love how these elegant enclosure cards can be added to your tie the knot wedding invitations. Even if you're not having this type of themed affair, consider adding illustrations of tied ropes to your invitations and wedding website.

Nautical "We Tied the Knot" Table Number and Decor

Photo: Melissa Enid Photography

Another opportunity for you to include the tie the knot meaning in your wedding is by having a literal knot as your reception table decoration. The type of knot pictured here is a monkey fist knot, which is traditionally used by sailors to add weight to the end of a line, but it can also be used as a stable (and symbolic) table number holder. Other types of knots that you can use are globe knots and Turk's head knots. You can even get creative with the kind of material you use to tie the knot and the material's color so it can match your wedding theme.

Finally Tied the Knot Rustic Reception Backdrop

Photo: Leslie Gilbert Photography

Our favorite tie-the-knot idea is this beautiful DIY wedding decoration. The couple took the meaning of tying the knot and used it to create their wedding reception backdrop. The top of the backdrop has real eucalyptus plants as the base and dozens of knotted white and gold ropes cascading from it. Each rope has rustic or natural accents, like hanging succulents and skeleton keys, attached to them to match the couple's vintage and rustic wedding theme.

Tying the Knot Boutonniere

Photo: Reese Moore Weddings

We love this tie-the-knot boutonniere for couples that want to add the tie the knot meaning to their wedding. For this celebration, the groom and groomsmen wore knotted boutonnieres with beautiful pink blooms. Another way you can add a knotted accessory is by having knotted bracelets for your wedding party to wear or giving out knotted bracelets as wedding favors to your guests.

Illustrated Tie the Knot Wedding Sign

Photo: Courtney Lindberg Photography

At this cool and eclectic wedding, the grooms had a custom welcome sign made with outlines of their heads and the tie the knot phrase. This is an example of how you don't have to go the conventional route with your wedding signs and that incorporating the tie the knot phrase can be simple and to the point.

Simple Tying the Knot Ceremony Sign

Photo: TNK Photo

The to-be-weds decided to go the simple route for their wedding decor. A small wooden directional sign that said "tying the knot" was all guests needed to let them know where the outdoor ceremony was taking place.

Tie the Knot Wedding Ceremony Programs

Photo: Leslie Gilbert Photography

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Paper: Persnickety Invitation Studio

The grooms got creative for their rustic wedding by having someone pose as a paperboy to pass out their tying the knot wedding stationery. Their newspaper-inspired ceremony programs read, "David & Lee Tie the Knot!"

Tying the Knot Wedding Ceremony Planning

The tying the knot unity ceremony can be as simple and sweet as you want it to be. Keep reading to get ideas on how to go about your tie the knot activity.

Tying the Knot Ceremony Script

Photo: Emily & Daniel, LLC

Consider tying a physical knot in the ribbon, cord or rope for each vow. This act represents each personal vow between the couple becoming an unbreaking promise. We recommend getting suggestions from your wedding officiant (because this is the perfect time to take advantage of their expertise), but you can also try the following tie the knot ceremony wording or script for your nuptials: [Spouse's name], I vow to listen to and support all your endeavors. *Tie a knot* I vow to communicate with you even when it's hard. *Tie a knot* And I vow to love you to the moon and back for the rest of my life. *Tie a knot* May this rope act as a physical reminder that our everlasting love is as strong as the promises we make and uphold. And that even if there are times when things seem to be unraveling, we both try our hardest to stay tethered to one another.

Tying the Knot Ceremony Rope

Of course, you can shop online for ropes specifically made for the tie the knot ceremony, but we love the idea of you and your partner taking this as an opportunity to do a sentimental DIY project together. Any craft or home improvement store will have the kind of bindings you'll need, but ensure you feel the texture so you know it won't be too rough on your hands. Add charms, various colors and other fabrics to your rope construction to make it personal to your relationship. Remember to have someone save your binding after the ceremony so you can have a sweet wedding keepsake.

Tying the Knot Ceremony Decor

As you saw in the ideas section, the ceremony programs and wedding signs are the ideal decor items to include tie the knot wording. Other decor pieces you can have are various knots hanging from the aisle chairs or a "We tied the knot" neon sign attached to your wedding arch, which would be perfect photo opp as you share your first kiss as a married couple.

Synonyms for Tie the Knot

The tying the knot phrase doesn't have any variations, but it does have a few synonyms. For those who want another word for tie the knot, the following list is for you.

• Getting hitched
• Wed
• Walking down the aisle
• Becoming one
• Join in marriage
• Unite in holy matrimony
• Locked in (yes, this is a Gen Z relationship term)