Ceremonies are often accompanied by Ritual to express Unity
Handfasting
Signing a guest book
Lighting candles
Handfasting in wedding ceremonies involve the tying together of a couple’s hands or wrists with a cord, ribbon, sash, twine or vines to signify their union. The original ritual of 'tying the knot'.
Lighting candles
Signing a guest book
Lighting candles
A flame can symbolise hope, warmth, and the brightening of lives. A unity candle ceremony can be used for a child in a naming ceremony, an adoption ceremony or for wedding ceremonies. Lighting a candle can also be done as an act of remembrance for a deceased relative or friend.
Signing a guest book
Signing a guest book
Signing a guest book
A guest book enables your guests to add a message - before, during, or after the ceremony. Creating a great keepsake that can be revisited in years to come.
Wish trees
tree planting
Signing a guest book
Invite your guests to write promises, words of advice, or good wishes on individual tags, then hang them on a tree as a special collective moment in the ceremony.
After the ceremony, you can then gather the messages as a memento of the day.
tree planting
tree planting
tree planting
Depending upon the time of year, planting a tree in commemoration of this special occasion is a lovely idea and a great way to involve other children, close friends, or family members in the ceremony. Tree-planting also provides the opportunity to include words about the importance of nurturing and caring for the growth of the child.
Sand Ceremony
tree planting
tree planting
During the ritual, the couple/family pour different sands, of different colours into a single container, representing the union of their lives, experiences and families. The sand can no longer be separated, just as they can no longer be separated.
time capsule or memory box
time capsule or memory box
time capsule or memory box
The creation of a ‘time capsule’ or ‘memory box’. You can ask your guests to bring something to add to it such as family photos, recorded messages, gifts to be opened on a significant date in the future.
OATHING STONE
time capsule or memory box
time capsule or memory box
Oathing stone – Before Celtic tribes had access to wedding rings, they sealed their marriage by placing their hands on a stone while reciting their vows. Some modern couples incorporate this into their wedding ceremony. Often using a stone engraved with their names or wedding date.
Hand casting
time capsule or memory box
Hand casting
Why not create a casting of your special day! something that you can display at home to remind you of all the love you have around you.
Quiach
Painting ceremony
Hand casting
Drinking from quaichs has been popular in Scottish wedding ceremonies for centuries to symbolise the binding together of two people in love, kinship and trust. It sees the couple filling the two-handled silver bowl with whiskey and sharing it with each other before passing it round the wedding party.
Log sawing
Painting ceremony
Painting ceremony
Couples in Germany are presented with a large log and a saw. By sawing the log in half as a team, it is believed they are proving their ability to work together in overcoming any obstacles that may come.
Painting ceremony
Painting ceremony
Painting ceremony
Instead of a sand ceremony, why not create a masterpiece on your special day!