Wedding Rituals
Many couples choose to give and receive rings. It’s such a
visible sign of a couple’s commitment to each other. Rings warmed by friends
and family enriches this symbolism in a heartfelt and tangible way.
The warming of the rings began as an Irish tradition which is
now performed in wedding ceremonies all over the world. The rings are passed
around the guests at some point in the ceremony and are warmed with well
wishes, prayers and blessings for the couple’s future. It’s a great way of
involving guests. More suitable for smaller weddings, as you would want the
rings to be back in time!
Sand Ceremony
The pouring of different coloured sands into one vessel at
the ceremony is a very visual and meaningful ritual. Each person involved pours
a layer of their sand into the vessel. This can be done with just the couple or
may involve other chosen individuals such as children or other family members.
The coloured layers in the sand stay separate symbolising their own individual
qualities but at the same time are joined. The individuals, like the sand, keep
their properties but they cannot be separated. This ritual represents the
joining of individuals and the creation of something new.
Handfasting ceremony
Ever wondered where the phrase ‘tying the knot’ came from?
Handfasting has taken place in commitment and wedding
ceremonies for hundreds of years. Ribbons or chord are wrapped round the
couple’s hands, representing the joining of two people.
A simple but powerful visual ritual.
Unity candle
This is where two candles are taken by the couple, often
having been lit by their parents, and they come together to light one main
candle. All the candles stay lit as this symbolises the coming together of
individuals and creating something new together, whilst keeping their own
individuality.
A beautiful and very visual ritual.
This is a fun and visual ritual. The couple write love
letters to each other, perhaps the week or night before the wedding. The
letters are brought to the ceremony and placed in a box with a favourite wine
or other beverage. The box is then
sealed and kept until their first anniversary. This can be an ongoing tradition
of course.
Quaich
This tradition has Scottish roots but can be adapted for any
ceremony. Traditionally a cup filled with whiskey was passed between the guests
and hosts to offer welcome. Some say it was to show it was not poisoned and
would therefore be a symbol of trust.
King James VI of Scotland gave a Quaich to his bride, Anne of
Norway, as a loving cup.
It could be that only the couple drink from the cup or it can
also be shared with other key members of the family. Drinking from the same cup
symbolises sharing and trust.
Cocktail ceremony
Add flavour to your ceremony by taking a different stance on
a sand or unity candle ritual. Use meaningful or symbolic drinks to create a
cocktail, symbolising the bringing together of individuals to create something
entirely new. How about orange for a sunshiny, smiley individual, a spirit for
fun, something fizzy for some sparkle, ice for cool, calm, and collected,
passion fruit…I won’t state the obvious! A fun way to spice up your wedding
with this modern twist.
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