Wedding Rituals
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Customs & Traditions Make Your Ceremony Unique
Symbolic rituals, ethnic and religious customs, family traditions or special poems and prayers can make your ceremony so much more meaningful. I am happy to offer you as many rituals as you want to make your ceremony special. Here are just a few examples of what can be included. Your ceremony should reflect the distinctive personality of your relationship. Choose or create the rituals that reflect your relationship. Remember that It’s all about you!
If you have any other creative ideas unique to your relationship I am very happy to create a ritual especially for you, whether solemn and traditional, or whimsical and fun. One ritual that I recently performed at the request of a couple was a “Handshake-of Foreverness” created as a light-hearted celebration and included all of the invited guests.
THE UNITY CANDLE
The Unity Candle Ceremony is a beautiful tradition in which two separate candles, symbolizing each partner’s individuality, come together to light a single larger unity candle which represents their combined energies.
HONORING PARENTS
A moment is created within the ceremony to acknowledge and honor the couple’s parents. This often includes a presentation of a small gift or flowers.
EXCHANGING OF RINGS
The wedding ring is an outward symbol of an inner commitment. It says to the world, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine”. The unbroken circle of the ring represents the unending bond between the couple. Blessings surrounding the ring ceremony can be deeply personal and meaningful.
MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE
A tender tribute is made to remember loved ones who have passed.This often includes the lighting of memorial candles. Individuals can be specifically remembered or a general statement can be made.
VEILING OF THE BRIDE
In Judaism, there is a special custom, called a Badeken, just prior to the ceremony, to veil the bride. This ancient tradition signifies that the groom is not only marrying the physical attractiveness of the bride, but also her inner beauty.
SAND CEREMONY
Each partner pours separate colored sand into a glass container symbolizing the blending of their separate energies to create a beautiful and unique design which represents their one-of-a-kind relationship.
PROMISES TO CHILDREN
Many marriages are creating new family ties which often includes each partner’s children. I have created special rituals designed to welcome your children including step-parent promises and family blessings. Whether young or old, this gives the children a sense of belonging in your new lives as a married couple.
JUMPING THE BROOM
Originated by African-American tradition, the partners jump over a broom to signify their new status as a married couple. They sweep away the old and welcome a new beginning within their community of friends and family. The broom can even be decorated.
FLOWER CEREMONY
Family and friends are welcomed to place a flower into a vase in order to create a bouquet of love.
BREAKING THE GLASS
This is part of the Jewish tradition to symbolize the fragility of marriage. Just as it is impossible to make the glass go back to its original state so too are the lives of the couple changed forever.
