Unique Ceremonies

[Avens]

My friends did a handfasting ceremony at their wedding a few years ago.  It was really nice, because each of their parents said something and did a loop.  I really liked it!

 

Another good friend of mine made a unity cocktail.  They had their different liquers and each put it in a martini shaker and took turns shaking it up, then poured it into a pretty martini glass and had a sip.  It was really fun!  That might be fun on the beach, a nice margarita or Mojito

 

 

I think our resort offers the cosmic ceremony, I'm really interested in it.  FI is wondering if it is a little hokey though too.

[meBonidie2be]

I am so glad i stumbled across this thread. I get so teary everytime i have to think about the actual ceremony. I know i am am going to be crying like a kid in a theme park that is too short to get on the ride they just waited an hour for.

 

I am going to pass on the sand ceremony for a cpl reasons

1- is has been done and done and done

2- i dont think it will look good when we get home

3- i beleive there are better symbolic ceremonies (when i think about the sand i dont get the teary reaction)

 

Hand Ceremony

I am highly considering this. I want to have my FI read all my research on cermonies and see what appeals to him.  

 

Does anyone have different scripts for the Hand ceremony?

 

Stone ceremony-

Every room in our house is decorated with items we found on the beach. We spent a great deal of time this summer getting giant rocks with our tow truck to landscape the yard. THIS IS PERFECT for us. I cant wait to do this part. The only thing i dont like is throwing the stones. When was casting stones ever good? I really like the idea of collecting all the stones that are filled with love, good wishes and happiness. The stones will travel alot better and will be awesome keepsakes when we get home.

 

I really like the idea of the hand washing. Anyone have a script for that? I wonder if this is done often enough that the resort would have the items needed to do it.

[ExcitedBride12]

I LOVE the celtic oathing stone idea! I've been looking for a way to incorporate our Irish/Scottish heritage and this is perfect!

[ExcitedBride12]

We're changing up the wording alot, but we're doing the love letter ceremony

 

http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com/ceremonylovebox.html

 

Neither of us are big wine drinkers, so we're skipping that part... but we're each writing a letter to each other and we're having our bridal party and parents do the same. Then we're locking those into the box... the idea being that it will stay closed until our 5th wedding anniversary, or if we find our relationship in trouble then we open the box to read the letters early.

[ndvidul]

What does it mean to "bump" something on a thread?

 

LOVE these ideas - this thread was really helpful to me. I'm thinking of doing the hand ceremony and the shell toss blessing that I saw in another thread (like the stone toss but with shells) -- especially with the treasure chest idea (below) since our invites were message in a bottle treasure maps!   Plus, I'd like to honor our mothers somehow, maybe with a quick and simple rose blessing mentioned here.

 

Blessing Shell Toss

While guests are arriving they are asked to choose a shell from our treasure chest. Each shell has a word of blessing and wishes for the couple etched onto it such as, Love, Trust, Happiness, and so on... At the end of the ceremony the Bride, Groom and Guests are directed to the waters edge and after a verse is read by the officiant, the couple counts to 3, and everyone tosses their blessing shell into the ocean together (the bride and groom have special shells, too). Not only is it a special photographic moment, but is another way for everyone in attendance to be involved in this special day!

 

 

I also like the idea of other people finding our shells one day that say these meaningful words on them -- maybe it will inspire them in some way! 

 

 

[coquine]

Thank you so much for posting this. This is beautiful and exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to do something to honour them but did not know what. I'm not sure though about the Homer's Hymns. I wonder if it could be replaced by something else. I really liked the hand ceremony too. Since I am not really good at writing , will use that instead of vows. So I am thinking having the rose ceremony at the beginning then end with the hand ceremony. The sand and stone ceremonies are beautiful but I don't feel like carrying them back.

Originally Posted by hat0112 

I am doing a rose ceremony, but to honor the mother's. The officiant will hand my FI and I a rose during the ceremony and say a little something, then we are going to give the roses to our moms.We are going to do something like this:Officiant: "We open this ceremony with a symbolic gift of beauty and gratitude to the women who gave the bride and groom life---their mothers." (I then give the roses to the bride and groom who then present them to their mothers with a hug and kiss. Sometimes, as they embrace I have heard a bride or groom whisper in their mother's ear , "I love you, Mom.") "Mothers, it is in your honor that I offer this quote from Homer's Hymns: It is she who nourished you; she, out of her treasures. Beautiful children; beautiful harvests; are achieved from you, the giving of life itself.â€

 

 

[meBonidie2be]

Does anyone know where to get some great polished stones? I really want to do the stome ceremony, but I can't find the items I need.

[lovepea]

At first I thought adding in one of these "extra" ceremonies was a little cheesy, but the more I think of it, the hand ceremony is simple, yet very moving. 

 

I am still trying to think of a way to involve all the family that will be there, about 25 people, but I don't think the stone ceremony is for me.

 

 

[2012mrstobe]

I initially was only going to do the sand ceremony. We are also going to incorporate FI's children into the sand ceremony. I also love the idea of the hand ceremony, it is really sweet.

[meBonidie2be]

 

STONE CEREMONY

 

I was very unsure at first how to incorporate a lot of these things into the ceremony, so I thought i would post my script. This is my first rough draft so i would love any comments or feedback on things that could be improved.

On behalf of Casey and Brian, I welcome you and thank you all for gathering here on this beautiful day to witness this loving couple join hands in marriage. The fact that you all have travelled such a great distance to be here today is a testament to the amazing amount of love and support they have. Many of you have given them much happiness, unconditional love, encouragement, and guidance through the various stages of their lives. They would like to sincerely thank you all for being here to celebrate their big day. A special and respectful acknowledgement must also be made to those friends and family members who were unable to attend, or have passed on, but whose spirit remains alive and strong in all our hearts. (pause)

 

Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man? (dad and Jeff- I do)

 

 

Casey and Brian, before you met your lives were on different paths with different destinations. Love has brought you together and joined these separate paths into one. Each of your family members and friends here today has been given a small polished stone that represents their unique individuality and their presence at your wedding today. You also each have a stone of your own that symbolizes your previous separate lives, separate sets of friends, separate families and the different life’s journeys that you once traveled. I ask that everyone please hold the stone that you have been given throughout the ceremony. Fill your stone with hope, positivity, a prayer, or blessing for happiness and good will for Casey and Brian for the future of their marriage.

 

        This marriage ceremony between Casey and Brian does not mark the beginning of a new relationship; rather, it is an acknowledgement and celebration, of a relationship that has been thriving since they met. Marriage is the mutual commitment of two people sincerely in love who share the same dreams about life. More than that, it is the intimate sharing of two lives. It is a sharing that does not diminish but enhances the individuality of each partner. The institution of marriage is not to be entered into lightly; it symbolizes commitment on every level. Together you will continue to meet the challenges and obstacles of life head on with honesty, integrity, and loyalty.

            This beautiful setting should remind us that, like the ocean, human life is an ebb and flow- spirit and emotions move in cycles. To be in a relationship does not guarantee an eternal summer. To make a sincere and honest commitment does not promise an end to all struggles. What a good relationship does offer, much like this ocean, is the opportunity for renewal. A successful relationship recognizes that after every fall and winter, spring and summer will come again. A flourishing relationship takes more than just love. It takes trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. It takes dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so... And it takes faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both.

            Casey and Brian have written their vows for one another. Brian will you please say your vows to Casey.

Casey will you please read your vows to Brian.

 

Brian, do you take Casey to be your wedded wife? (I do)

Casey, do you take Brian to be your wedded husband? (I do)

 

"I Brian, give you Casey, this ring as an eternal symbol and daily reminder of my love and commitment to you."

 

 "I Casey, give you Brian, this ring as an eternal symbol and daily reminder of my love and commitment to you."

         

Will everyone please rise.

 

Will you, the cherished family and friends of Casey and Brian, witnessing these vows do all in your power to support them in their marriage, love them, and encourage their love for one another? (Guests- we will).

 

You may now sit. (Nicholette will gather stones)

 

We will now pause collect the stones that have been blessed with good fortune. (pause) The union of these stones has now symbolically joined your once separate lives. Through you, just as the stones have been combined, so now are your friends and family joined. Your once solitary life’s paths are also now one, and all that was once separate is now shared. In this sharing you both will find new strength and joy as together you forge a new life path. Stones stand the test of time. Over time they can even become stronger and more beautiful. Let these stones be a reminder and a memorial of the love, blessings and support that your family members and friends have provided you here today.  

Katherine Hepburn declared, "Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything."  

 

No ceremony can create your marriage; only you can do that – through love and patience; through dedication and perseverance; through talking and listening, helping and supporting and believing in each other; through tenderness and laughter; through learning to forgive, learning to appreciate your differences, and by learning to make the important things matter, and to let go of the rest. What this ceremony can do is to witness and affirm the choice you make to stand together as life-long partners.

 

 

Officiant wording followed by…

 

“You may now embrace and share your first kiss as husband and wife.â€

 

I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Bonidie!

 

Thank you for reading this!