Additional Ceremonies
The following is a short explanation of each of the additional ceremonies:
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Broom Jumping
- Signifies the Bride and Groom“jumping” into a new life together and the start of keeping a home for the new family. It may be performed after the ceremony or when the newlyweds enter the reception. Three versions.
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Candle Ceremony – also called Unity Candle
- There are 2 versions of the Bride and Groom lighting a main candle together during the ceremony. There are 2 versions of another format where the mothers of the Bride and Groom light candles to represent their children which in turn are used to light the Unity Candle.
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Family Candle
- One way to include children of the Bride and/or Groom in the wedding ceremony.
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Glass Breaking
- To symbolize the fragility of marriage and the length of the marriage.
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Hand Fasting – 3 versions
- Represents “tying the knot”
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Hand Holding
- Two distinct versions which represent the joining of individuals and the dedication of one to the other.
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Honoring Children
- Seven suggestions to include children of the Bride and/or Groom in the wedding service.
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Honoring Memorial – 3 versions
- Paying tribute to people in the Bride and Groom’s lives that have passed over. It may be a simple prayer or the lighting of candles.
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Honoring Mothers (or other relatives)
- Three ways to honor special people before, during or after the ceremony.
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Parental Honoring
- Honoring the parents of the Bride and Groom regardless if they are present or have past on.
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Reiki (ray-key)
- Taking a moment to extend the energy of Reiki to the couple and all present.
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Rose and Water Exchange
- The Groom gives the Bride a rose. The Bride gives the Groom a vase of water in which the rose is placed.
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Rose Giving
- Two versions of the Bride and Groom giving each other a rose. Any flower may be used.
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Salt Ceremony
- Both the Bride and Groom would pour salt into a container at the same time. A prayer/poem is read to explain the symbolism of the salt.
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Sand Ceremony
- The Bride and Groom choose a color of sand to represent themselves. The sand is held in a vial and poured by the couple at the same time into a larger container. The mingling of colors of sand symbolizes the joining of two people in marriage.
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Sand with parents
- Both sets of parents take part in the sand pouring ceremony. It precedes the above ceremony.
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Sand and Stone
- This version is designed for a wedding on the beach. Beach sand is poured by the Bride and Groom into a container. Stones are thrown into the water by the guests as they say their wish for the happy couple.
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Water
- Water is essential to life. There are 4 methods of incorporating the offering and drinking of water by the Bride and Groom during the ceremony.
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Water Pouring
- The Bride and Groom each pour a vial of a different color water into a vase or glass container to symbolize that what is joined cannot be taken apart.
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Wine
- Two versions of the Bride and Groom drinking wine together, including a Celtic version.
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Wishing Stones
- The guests write or say a wish for the new couple. The wish is represented by a stone which may be placed in a basket or bowl of water. Several versions.