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Wedding Rituals & Ceremony Enhancements
The pinnacle of your wedding day, the Wedding Ceremony, is more than just a
mere formality; it is the reason your guests have gathered together- to watch the two of you begin your "Happily Married" chapter in life.
Whether you want a religious or secular service, your ceremony is a chance to truly express who you are as a couple. Couples often choose to add special wedding rituals, incorporate meaningful readings, or tell their personal love story with a uniquely Custom Wedding.
You could also include religious or cultural customs & traditions, such as breaking of the glass, jumping the broom, or hand fasting; Gift exchanges; honor parents, grandparents, or children with a special ceremony; or even include a Remembrance for loved ones.
There are many types of Unity Rituals that may be incorporated in your ceremony. Choose a ritual that speaks to you as a couple, one that you feel symbolizes your union.
Note: Many Unity Rituals require specialty items that then become a special keepsake of your wedding ceremony. We provide the ceremony wording and you are responsible for purchasing the supplies needed for the ceremony. We can purchase many of these items for you & and bring them to the ceremony, for an additional fee. Ask us for details!
Many of these may be purchased through Etsy, Amazon, or local craft store.
See us on Pinterest to find more Ceremony Ritual ideas!
Celebrate Your Union
Personalize your wedding ceremony by integrating one of the Rituals we have listed below or another that signifies your love, relationship, and new union.
Ceremony Rituals
Rose Ceremony
An absolutely lovely and simple wedding ritual that can be incorporated a variety of ways. The couple may choose to present roses to special loved ones- mothers, grandparents, children- as a way of showing appreciation for their support. Alternatively, the couple could give the roses to one another as a first gift in their marriage. This could be the start of a lovely tradition of a Rose for every Anniversary.
Ring Warming or Ring Blessing
In a Ring Warming, the Wedding Rings placed in a special pouch or box & passed around; guests are asked to say a silent blessing, wish or prayer for the couple while the ceremony takes place. This is a lovely ritual to include guests & allow them to participate in the ceremony. Couples may also choose to place the rings in prominent location & ask guests to pass by & say a prayer or blessing for the couple before the ceremony.
Gather Around/ Wedding Circling
Circling may be either religious or secular in nature, depending upon how the ceremony is conducted. While a prayer circle is a clear fit for a religious ceremony, it is also lovely to simply have the guests circled around the couple (holding hands or not), as a symbol of the community and support surrounding them as they enter into marriage.
Handfasting
Originally an engagement ritual, Handfasting has Celtic roots and symbolizes unity. It is the physical act of "tying the knot". The ritual involves a couple's hands being tied together with cords, a piece(s) of cloth, or ribbons. This ritual lends well to including children, as well.
Tree Planting Ceremony
An ancient wedding ritual shared by numerous cultures around the world, the tree planting ceremony symbolized the care & nurture needed for a marriage to grow strong. The Wedding Tree will be a living testimony to the love you share.
The Three Cords
Inspired by Christian tradition and based on Ecclesiastes 4:12: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
The couple braids three strands representing themselves and God. The braided rope signifies the strength, unity, & eternal bond between them.
Stone Blessings
Stone Blessings, a very old tradition, can be a completely secular, of Nature, religious, or spiritual ceremony. There are several variations to this ceremony & it is beautiful way to include guests. One interpretation: Each guest is given a stone to hold during the ceremony & bless with good wishes; these stones may be combined in special container for a treasured keepsake.
Family Gift Ceremony & other ways to include your children
Children may be incorporated in many traditional wedding rituals or we can design something unique to your family. One popular option is giving each child a special gift (jewelry, pin, coin, a heartfelt hug, etc.) marking the occasion. You could also make special vows as parents. Other rituals that incorporate children well are the Sand Ceremony (each child gets own color), Rose Ceremony, Unity Cross, and Handfastings (children have their own color/ribbon).
Sand Unity Ritual
A Unity Wedding Ritual, the couple combines individual containers of sand into one larger container, symbolizing that just as the grains of sand can never again be separated, neither shall the couple. This ceremony can be done with just the couple, with their children, or could even include other special family members. Personalize this ritual by using sand from meaningful locations.
Community Vow of Support & Blessing
Provides an opportunity for guests to participate in the ceremony by giving their verbal support. A fun way to include guests. If you have just a few guests, each guest could cite a vow or blessing; or, if your guest list is longer, you can do a group vow.
Other Wedding Rituals & Traditions
The Lasso Ceremony, Wine & Love Letter, the Breaking of the glass, Jumping the Broom, Water Blending, Wedding Time Capsule, Unity Painting- share your idea with us to customize your wedding!