Ceremony Ideas?

[Whilykit]

Hi girls!
Can you guys list the special little things you included in your ceremonies please? I am trying to research something for us to do during ours, my Fi doesnt like the unity candle, and I have searched online but can't seems to find any other tradition we could encorperate...
THANKS!

 

[Laurafoster]

I know there is a sand ceremony - kinda like a unity candle - same idea. There is also a hand ceremony.

 

[georgiajaimie]

Our officiant has sent us a guide and in it the following are listed:

#1. Blessings of the Hands-revised
#2. Blessings of the Hands-original
#3. The Rose Ceremony
#4. The Rose Vow (one rose and vase)
#5. Vows for Blended Families
#6. Wine ceremony
#7. Honoring loved ones who have passed away
#8. Unity Candle options and tips (see also #13 or #6)
#9. Candle Ceremony
#10. Special Catholic enhancements
#11. Jumping the Broom
#12 Jewish/Christian blend of traditions
#13 The Sand Ceremony

If you would like me to forward it to just let me know.

 

[ItGirl753]

georgiajamie,
i'd also be interested in an option besides the unity candle. can you tell me briefly what the rose ceremony is? thanks.

 

[Whilykit]

I would LOVE for you to forward this to me. Do you have descriptions?
thanks so much!

 

[MissyPrissy]

We are doing the sand ceremony. I didn't want candles in an outdoor setting that would probably have wind! I'd burn myself!!

I like the sand ceremony b/c each of you pour sand individually into the jar first, which represents your continued individuality within the marriage. Then you pour your sand at the same time to represent the blending of your lives. Using two differert colors of sand makes for a really pretty effect!! I think it's really nice. You can get an engraved container for the sand, which is what we did. My DF liked the sand ceremony idea much better than the hazardous candles!!

Good Luck!!!

 

[Moonpie]

Our officiant asked us to pick some poetry that we thought represented our relationship that will be read outloud by him. He also asked us to write a humorous, or sweet story about how we met, which he said we can't show to each other before the wedding. He will read these stories aloud so that our families can see our reactions to the stories.

 

[twojo21]

we had a family candle where our dads lite each respective family candle, we did a rose ceremony to thank our moms, wrote personalized vows & had a unity candle. we also incorporated music into our ceremony.

 

[georgiajaimie]

Here is a brief part of what we've been given for the rose ceremony:

In the past, the rose has traditionally been considered a symbol of love. A single rose always meant one thing….it meant the words “I love you”. So it is appropriate that your first gift as husband and wife would be that of a single red rose.
(Roses are exchanged)
You both have given and received one of the most precious gifts of life. I hope you will always remember the gift you have given and received is representative of a true and abiding love.

 

[georgiajaimie]

N.,(bride) today N., (groom) gives you this rose. Because it grew from a tiny seed, becoming stronger and larger until it burst into a flower, it symbolizes the way that his love for you has grown. (Groom gives bride the rose). Each year on your wedding anniversary, he will give you another rose. In so doing, he’ll remember this day and the vows you’ve made.

N., (groom) today N., (Bride) gives you this vase of water. (Groom takes the vase and holds it). Because water is the one element without which we would perish, it symbolizes the importance of your love in her life. Each year on your anniversary, she will refill this vase, offering it to you as a symbol of her ever renewing love. (Bride puts the rose in the vase and they hold the vase together)
Without water, the rose would die; without the rose, the vase of water would not be beautiful.
Officiant address bride: N., (Bride), N.’s, (Groom’s) gift is enhanced by yours, just as his life is enhanced by yours.

Officiant address Groom: N.(Groom), N’.s, (Bride’s) gift is lovely because of yours, just as her life is better because of yours.
(They hand the rose and vase to the officiant.)

 

[georgiajaimie]

This option can also be used as a substitute for the Unity candle, especially on those windy outdoor weddings. The mothers of the bride and groom are invited to each pour some wine into the couple’s cup. (*Special wedding cups are available from wedding supplies distributors that are actually two cups in one. They connect together as one to form a heart shaped chalice).

Tradition has it that when bride and groom pledged themselves to each other, they should also drink wine from a single cup, signifying that they were becoming one blood, one family, and one kin.

This cup of wine suggests two thoughts.
(Grooms parent will pours wine into the groom half of the goblet)
The first is that wine is a symbol of the sweetness we wish for your life. There will be times when you drink from other cups-perhaps even bitter ones; but life always offers opportunity to savor the sweetness. The possibility to see the good in all things that may happen is what we toast: the good that is in life.
(The Bride’s parent will pours wine into the bride’s half of the goblet)
The second meaning of the cup of wine is a symbol of sharing. You have shared many experiences together and out of this sharing has grown the love, which brought you to this day. As you continue to share in each other's life, you will also undertake to share together all that the future may hold

 

[georgiajaimie]

We just cant decide which pieces we want to use. So many nice meaningful things.
Our officiant is Kevin Knox at A Beautiful Ceremony.