Examples Of Ceremony Elements

UNITY CANDLE

Multi-Faith/Catholic. This joining ritual is quite popular and its significance is universal. It represents the joining of the couple as one as well as the joining of their two original families as one family. Three candles (two tapers and on large candle) are used and are placed on a table near the point of ceremony with one taper on each side of the large candle. Prior to the ceremony traditionally the mothers of the bride and groom, accompanied by the officiant, approach the unlit candles. The candles are blessed by the officiant and the mothers each light one of the tapers. The tapers represent two families. During the ceremony the bride and groom each pick up their corresponding tapers and together use them to light the large center candle. After this candle is lit they both blow out the tapers and return them to their holders. At this point the couple has left the care of their mothers and individual families and have created one new family, with themselves at the center.

This ceremony is practically possible only with an indoor ceremony. When outdoors they are often blown out by the wind.

SAND CEREMONY

Multi-Faith. This ceremony is most often employed when our couple have children from other relationships. It is meant to dramatically and visually recognize the joining of all parties into one new family. Prior to the wedding the couple obtains a vessel capable of holding sand, i.e. a vase or open picture frame. Each person in the family is also provided with a different colored sand. If a religious based wedding a layer of white sand, representing a foundation in God, is poured into the vessel by the officiant. The groom then pours SOME of his sand and each of his children then pour SOME of their sand into the vessel atop the Grooms. Children of the bride then do the same with SOME of their sand followed by the bride. At this point there are several layers of different colored sands visible in the vessel. ALL participants then pour the balance of their sands into the vessel at the same time, mixing the colored sands as they do so. This represents that the members of two families are now joined together as one. This makes for a nice keepsake over the years.

HAND WASHING/HAND BLESSING

Multi-Faith. Without water nothing is grown or cleansed. The wedding couple hold their hands over a basin at which time clear water is poured over them. The couple symbolically wash their hands and then dry them with a towel. The symbolism here is that old baggage, troubles, relationships, etc., are washed away. The relationship is cleansed and will grow anew from this point. As the couples hold hands over the basin the hands are blessed by the officiant with appropriate words.

RING WARMING/BLESSING

Multi-Faith. As the ceremony is about to begin the wedding rings are given to the wedding guests to allow them to hold them briefly and provide a prayer or blessing before passing them along to the next guest. When it is time for the couple to exchange vows the officiant obtains the rings, also blesses them, and them provides them to the bride and groom to be placed upon their fingers. The rings have been blessed and warmed by all present.

LETTER BOX/WINE BOX

Multi-Faith. A wooden box is obtained prior to the ceremony. One type is simply a nicely built empty box. Another is a nicely built box holding a bottle of a favorite beverage, i.e. wine, etc., and two glasses. During the ceremony the bride and groom each place a letter into the box that they have written. The letter reflects the reasons that the new spouse is loved and respected. After the ceremony the box is sealed and is retained, sealed, by the couple. The box is to be opened during a time of serious trouble between the couple. They can then reflect upon the letters memorializing their love for each other while partaking in a favorite beverage (if appropriate). The idea is to reduce the emotion and refocus on the reasons that our couple fell in love and married each other.

HANDFASTING

Celtic/Pagan. In days of old there were few holy men about so when a couple wished to be married they gathered their families together in the village square before the townspeople. The couple joined hands while pledging their love and fidelity (usually six pledges). As each pledge was made a cord or ribbon was wrapped around their joined hands. The symbolism at that time was that the couple was then able to live together as husband and wife for up to one year from the ceremony. If they had not "formalized" their marriage with a holy man by that time they had the choice to continue as a now formally married couple or to split up and go their own ways. This is a colorful ceremony containing much history.

ROSE CEREMONY

Multi-Faith. There are several variations of this ceremony which may include wedding attendees. The most simple is that a small bud vase is provided to the officiant along with two single red roses. At a point in the ceremony the vase is handed to the bride who holds it as it is blessed. The groom them places one red rose into the vase while reciting appropriate loving remarks. The bride then hands the vase to the groom and then places the other red rose into the vase also while reciting appropriate loving remarks. The vase containing the roses is then returned to the officiant. The symbolism here is an empty life (empty vase) now being filled by our wedding couple.

There are many other elements that are available and are researchable online. As I stated, you are limited only by your imagination.