Don‚’t forget, your client may want to include one of the following in their ceremony. The only additional cost is that of the materials used in the ceremonies.
The UK Society of Celebrants will soon be running a series of articles on the Wedding Ceremony Options (below) as part of our “Open Celebrant Training” as a resource for those of you who practice as Family Celebrants.
Wedding Ceremony Options
Unity Sand Ceremony Option
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| Unity Sand Ceremony |
The Unity Sand Ceremony is ideal for any wedding this ceremony option symbolises the joining of the couple. We often suggest this ritual when there are young children involved and the couple is looking for a ritual to involve the children.
Wine Box / Love Letter
The couple will write love letters to each other before the wedding which they will seal in an envelope. They will choose their favourite bottle of wine or drink of choice and place these and any other memorabilia in the wine box. If you choose this ceremony option during the wedding ceremony, you will seal the box and vow not to open the box until an anniversary of your choice. The only other time that the box can be unsealed is when they are having thoughts of separating at which time they will drink the wine and read the letters which will hopefully remind them why they fell in love and chose to be together in the first place.
Breaking of the Glass Ceremony
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| Breaking the Glass |
The Breaking of the Glass Ceremony is traditionally used at Jewish weddings, this ceremony option signifies the end of the ceremony and the time of celebration.
Wine Ceremony
In the Wine ceremony the couple can either choose to pour one white glass and one red glass to create a blush that they will both drink from or there can be a pouring of one glass that they both will drink from.
Broom Jumping Ceremony
The Broom Jumping Ceremony is based upon tradition which symbolises the clearing away of negativity with a sweep of the broom and creating a threshold for the couple to cross over into their new life together.
Rose Ceremony
In the Rose ceremony the couple can choose to present roses to the mothers / grandmothers as a way of showing appreciation for their support. The roses can also be presented as the first gifts that the couple will give to each other.
Dove Release Ceremony
In the Dove Release Ceremony, doves choose one partner for life and make this commitment until death. It is said that if doves are seen on your wedding day, a happy home is assured. It is the belief that releasing doves is a ceremony option that signifies new beginnings.
Hand Wrapping Ceremony / Hand Fasting
The original meaning of ‚”tying the knot‚”. A Celtic tradition where the hands are tied with ribbons / cloth in the shape of the infinity symbol to symbolize the bringing together of the two hearts in a marriage of strength and unity forever.
Unity Candle Ceremony
This ritual has long been used in Catholic weddings, but as a traditional ceremony option it also holds a universal meaning. It symbolises the joining of the couple in marriage as well as the joining of their two original families. The couple‚’s mothers can light their individual candles for them as a symbol to show that they are moving on from their family to create a new family together.
First Kiss Last Kiss
This is a ceremony option involves the mother of both the Bride and the Groom. They are called upon to join the Bride and Groom near the end of the ceremony. The mothers gave their children there first kiss when they came into the world and they will give their last kiss as single individuals before sending them on their new journey as husband / wife / life partner.
Ceremonial Certificate
Many clients and their prospective guests expect there to be some sort of “Signing Ceremony” which takes place at the conclusion of a Wedding Ceremony, Commitment Ceremony or Renewal of Vows Ceremony. Celebrants can arrange for a bespoke parchment to be available , which contains the names of the happy couple and their witnesses with space for them to append their signature to witness the event. Please note that this act is purely for ceremonial / ritualistic purposes in order to provide the happy couple with a beautiful keepsake from their happy event.
Each of the above Ceremony Options will be discussed in detail on a weekly basis as part of the Open Celebrant Training series of articles on this blog.