Unique Ceremonies

Sample Ceremony

Unity Candle Ceremony

A Unity Candle Ceremony can be added to any wedding ceremony. The

lighting of the one Unity Candle with the 2 tapered candles is a visible

symbol of a couple’s commitment to each other. It is placed near the end

of the ceremony, following the Exchange of Rings. The mothers of the bride

and groom can light the two tapered candles as they are escorted to their

seats at the beginning of the ceremony. The lighting of the Unity Candle is

usually followed by the pronouncement of the couple as husband and wife.

Officiant says:

"___________________ and ________________ the two lighted

candies symbolize your separate lives, your separate families and your

separate sets of friends. I ask that you each take one candle and that

together you light the center candle. The individual candles represent your

individual lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that

your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining

together of your two families and sets of friends to one."

Reading after the lighting:

May the blessing of light,

Be with you always,

Light without and light within.

And may the sun shine

Upon you and warm your heart

Until it glows

Like a great fire

So that others may feel

The warmth of your love

For one another.

(Adapted from an Irish Blessing)

Children can be included in the lighting of the Unity Candle by

having the bride and groom light the taper for the children and then

everyone lighting the center candle together.

Couples like to keep their Unity Candle and relight it on special

occasions, such as their anniversary.

Sand Ceremony

The Sand Ceremony is based in Native American tradition, is similar to the

Unity Candle but offers a beautiful and meaningful alternative for an

outdoor wedding. At the appropriate point in the ceremony, the couple

each takes a vial of colored sand and pours their sand into the central

container.

Officiant says:

"( ) and ( ), you have just sealed your relationship

by the giving and receiving of rings and the exchange of a kiss, and this

covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they

will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives. The most

beautiful example of this partnership is the marriage relationship. You

have committed here today to share the rest of your lives with each other.

Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of two individual

containers of sand one, representing you, ( ) and all that you were,

all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing

you, ( ), and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you

will ever be. As the two containers of sand are poured into the third

container, the individual containers of sand ceased exist, but are joined

together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and

poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be."

OR

“To symbolize the importance of the individuals within the marriage and the

joining of two lives into one entity, three colors of sand will now be

layered into a vase.”

(Give Bride clear jar of pink sand, then Groom a clear jar of blue sand. The

Officiant has one small clear jar filled with a neutral colour sand and a

large empty jar).

“We begin with a layer of neutral sand which symbolizes that the marriage

is grounded.”

(Officiant pours a little of the neutral sand into the jar)

“Then we layer the individual colors. This symbolizes that the marriage is

based on the strength of the individuals.”

(Groom pours a little of the blue sand in first, followed by a little more of

the neutral sand from the Officiant. Bride then adds a little pink sand,

followed by some additional neutral sand from the Officiant).

“And now we combine the colors, which symbolizes two lives joined as one

together forever.”

(Groom and Bride simultaneously pour their remaining sand into the large

jar until their jars are empty. The Officiant caps off the sand with the

last of the neutral sand. The Officiant then holds the large jar up as if

presenting to the wedding audience and places the jar to the side).

Children can be included in the Sand Ceremony by giving them their

own colored sand to pour in the central container.

Hand Ceremony

In the hand ceremony, the officiant invites the

bride and groom to view the hands of the other as a

gift.

The bride takes the groom’s hands, palm side up.

Officiant says:

"These are the hands that will work along side

yours, as together you build your future, as

together you laugh and cry, and together you share

your innermost secrets and dreams."

The groom then takes the bride's hands, palm side

up.

Officiant says:

"They are the hands that will passionately love you

and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of

happiness, as she promises her love and commitment

to you all the days of her life."

OR

“ These are the hands of your best friend, young and

strong and full of love for you, that are holding

yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love

each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are

the hands that will work alongside yours, as

together you build your future. These are the hands

that will passionately love you and cherish you

through the years, and with the slightest touch, will

comfort you like no other. These are the hands that

will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe

the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and

tears of joy. These are the hands that will give you

strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the

hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be

reaching for yours, still giving you the same

unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”

Blessing after:

“Our prayer for you today is that both of you will

use these hands to build a marriage where all your

dreams come true.”

Rose Ceremony

In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride & Groom give each other a Rose. Two roses are all that is necessary. The Rose Ceremony is

placed at the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced husband and wife. A rose has always been considered as a symbol

of love and a single rose has always meant only one thing – it means “I Love You.” Often, couples will stop on their exit and hand

the mother of the bride and groom each their Rose, whispering “I Love You” before proceeding with their exit. Additional roses

may also be given to grandparents, sisters and other special guests.

Thanks Christine!! Very helpful!

Thanks Christine. I had never heard of the hand ceremony..I really like it!

That's the one we are going to do, we just felt like everytime we see the unity candle its kind of uninspiring...but maybe that's just me...

I really like the hand ceremony and the sand cermony - would it be wierd to do both?

Thanks Christine for this thread....I love the hand ceremony