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Hi, Rusty!
Have you discovered a connection between the Brush Dance and "jumping the broomstick" to get married?
Now , "tying the knot".....
I am thinking that I have read somewhere that twine/cord is tied around the wrists of bride and groom joining them together, to signify being "united", as a part of the wedding ceremony?
However, this is but a hazy thought...and I do not know what religion would use such a symbol?
I have looked in Brewers, but could not find anything relevant.
Yes, coffee sounds a good idea....

Hello, Elle!
I have been searching!
I have found this site which describes the "sean nos" dancing and includes the "brush dance".
There does not appear to be a link with weddings.
I'll look further into it, though!

https://www.irelandrnr.com/sean-nos-dance-a-traditional-irish-folk-dance-style/

If Brewers has no info on "tying the knot", we're struggling!

Rusty, I thought to 'tie the knot' came from the old Scottish tradition of 'handfasting', which lead to the phrase 'to tie the knot'. Each family gave a piece of their tartan, and this was used in the marriage ceremony to join the bride and groom together. The custom seems to have been revived - I've heard of three weddings this year that have featured it!

Hello, Malone!
I had not heard of "handfasting" before, so, thank you!
I have found this site which describes it, with a photo of the tartan "knot" being tied.
https://www.gretnagreen.com/the-tradition-of-handfasting-a1015

Hi, Rusty!
I have read the article and watched the two videos.
Yes, very enjoyable.
The "mature" gentleman's stamina and deftness of foot are both to be envied!
I am still (half) convinced that there was a ritual tying together of bride and groom to represent unity in marriage....
I will try to look further into this at some point..... but right now, I am about to "disappear".........
My daughter and family should be here within a few minutes....
Catch up later...... probably about tea time?

Hello, Elle!
Malone kindly gave us information about "tying the knot".
You are quite correct, if you peruse the posts above.
The only connection I can discover about the brush dance and weddings is in this clip I found.
The brush dance being done at a wedding reception.
The dance seems to be an all male affair, with the brief appearance of a lady!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E29vA7-WYQM

Thanks, Rusty. I thought the handfasting/tie the knot stuff was interesting when I heard about it at the beginning of the year. It's quite a nice custom to be revived. Oh, and the 'sixpence in your shoe' is also gaining in popularity. (If you don't know that one, it's an extra line in the 'something old, something new...' saying.)

Hello, Malone!
Nope, "sixpence in your shoe" is new to me, and the "handfasting".
The "fasting" bit will come from "making something fast", that is, "tying it up securely", I'd say?
Learning a lot today!

Rusty, the 'sixpence in your shoe' rang a vague bell with me. I think I must have heard it when I was a child, then the tradition disappeared. It's resurfaced - probably a bride or two trying to do something slightly different...then someone else hears about it...and it'll be back in fashion again!
I think 'handfasting' is a lovely word. I don't like the Chambers definition - 'archaic. betrothal; probationary marriage; private marriage'.

Hi, Rusty!
The family has now gone home...we have all had a lovely time together!
BB was telling me all about his charity run.
I had not realised that it was an obstacle race!
They had to go up scramble nets , and crawl under very low poles, jump over water….........etcetera!
He has got a very distinctive medal!
I have just watched the last Brush dancing video that you sent ......very nifty!
Ah, it is nice to come back to the computer and find out that I had it right all along about the knot-tying ceremony!
I knew that I had read about it somewhere!
I think the tradition actually went back to Roman times?
Have you been watching The Thousand Guineas?
I have no idea of the race times?