This page was created to help couples plan and design their personal ceremony

From the moment the music starts, until their exit as husband and wife.

**

Following are samples of the various ceremony script components

Openings, readings, vows, ring exchanges, unity, and more
*
These are just examples, and couples should not feel limited by what they see here.
*
Your Day, Your Way
Moments and Milestones

**

Notice: Script samples found here are common and considered public domain
Visitors may use anything found on this page without restriction

Processional:

The officiant and groom enter first, either through a side door or down the aisle, and
wait at the altar. They can either enter together, or with the officiant first, followed by
the groom. One variation has the officiant enter from the side and the Groom walk
down the aisle first in the procession. In this, groom may either enter alone, escort his
mother to her seat, or escort both mothers to their seats, before taking his place.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids usually walk down the aisle in pairs, Bridesmaid on
the left either starting with the two who will stand farthest from the bride and groom,
and ending with the maid of honor/best man, or starting with best man and maid of
honor, working outwards. A way to remember that bridesmaids are on the left and
groomsmen on the right is to think about the origin: The escort must have right hand
free, to draw his sword and defend her honor. A modern alternative would be for the
officiant, groom, best man, and groomsmen to enter from a side door in a line, with
the bridesmaids and maid of honor proceeding down the aisle unescorted. Ring bearer
is next, followed by the flower girl (no one walks on the flower petals before the
bride), and finally the bride and her father (or other close family member), if she is
being escorted. The bride walks on the left side. In simple form, escort leads the bride
to the front of the aisle, then takes his seat. A popular traditional option is to have the
bride's escort stand for a moment as the officiant asks "Who gives this woman to this
man in marriage?" to which he responds "I do," or "Her mother and I do." (or other
appropriate answer) Then the bride steps forward as the escort takes his seat. The
groom also takes a step forward, to meet her in the middle.

The "Hand Off"

This is an option where the excort, after answering the question, actually "hands" the
bride to the groom. In the simplest form, the escort, with his right hand, takes the
brides *right* hand from his left arm and places it in the groom's *left* hand.
(Reminder tip: "Right, Right, Left, Left") Groom takes a step forward during the
transition to accept the hand off. A more elaborate hand off has the escort shake the
hand of the groom first, kiss the bride on the cheek second, then hand off the bride to
the groom.

Following the hand off, bride usually passes her bouquet to the maid of honor, then
faces the groom and places her left hand in his right *OR* after passing the bouquet,
the bride and groom face the officiant, turning later in the ceremony to face each
other. Ceremony begins.

Note: It is not required for either the bride to be escorted, or for the bride to be "given
away". While very traditional, both should be considered personal preference.

A more modern variation of the processional uses two aisles, with bridesmaids
entering from the left and groomsmen from the right. Typically in this option the bride
is not escorted. Instead, bride and groom walk down separate aisles, both last in the
procession, and they meet at the front. Ideally, the two aisles should be in a "V"
formation from the back, coming together at the wedding point. Room layout,
however, may require a variation, as two back corner doors may not be available.
Seating is arranged to accomodate and surround the two aisles. If there is a pre-
opening question, rather than the "who gives this woman" question, it would be a
mutual question like "Are you both, this day and before all present, ready to accept
each other in marriage?"

While the pattern of traditional processionals is somewhat culturally standard, the

bride and groom can alter sequence and/or design of the processional to fit their
preferences and personalities.

Opening:
 The opening is usually a greating to guests, combined with some sentiment of the
occassion - either generic or more personal. In some weddings, the opening is directed
to the bride and groom rather than the guests, and the focus of the opening is more
along the lines of inspiration to the couple, for the commitment they make.

"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the
union of ________________ and _____________________ in marriage. In the years
they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and
matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife."

"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the
union of ____________________________ and _________________________ in
marriage. Through their time together, they have come to realize that their personal
dreams, hopes, and goals are more attainable and more meaningful through the
combined effort and mutual support provided in love, commitment, and family; and so
they have decided to live together as husband and wife.

"To all present I say: We are gathered here, not to witness the beginning of what will
be, but rather what already is! We do not create this marriage, because we cannot. We
can and do, however, celebrate with __________ and ___________ the wondrous and
joyful occurrence that has already taken place in their lives, and the commitment they
make today."

"Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness and
celebrate the joining of ____________________________ and
_______________________________ in marriage. With love and commitment, they
have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife."

"Welcome everyone. ____________ and ___________ have chosen you, those special
and important to them, to witness and celebrate the beginning of their life together.
Today, as we create this marriage, we also create a new bond and new sense of family
- one that will undoubtedly include all who are present here today."

"We are here today to join _________ and __________ in a life of mutual
commitment. It is fitting and appropriate that you, the family and friends of
__________ and _________, be here to witness and to participate in their union. For
the ideals, the understanding, and the mutual respect which they bring to their life
together had their roots in the love and friendship and guidance you have given them.
The union of two people makes us aware of the changes wrought by time. But the new
relationship will continue to draw much of its beauty and meaning from the intimate
associations of their past."
"________ and _________, today you are surrounded by your friends and family, all
of whom have gathered here to witness your marriage and to share in the joy of this
special occasion. Today, as you join yourselves in marriage, there is a vast and
unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your
married life are great; and now falls upon your shoulders the task of choosing your
values and making real your dreams. Through your commitment to each other, may
you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that
continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with
energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life."

"___________ and _____________ - Today you enter as individuals, but you will
leave here as husband and wife, blending your lives, expanding your family ties, and
embarking upon the grandest adventure of human interaction. The story of your life
together is still yours to write. All those present have come to witness and celebrate
your love and commitment this day - eager to be a part of the story not yet told."

Reading:

A reading usually highlights the importance of marriage. Reading can include a

definitional statement, quotes from literature, poetry, or something personal from the
couple being married. Ceremonies typically contain one to three readings. Below are
some of the more popular readings used:

"True marriage is more than joining the bonds of marriage of two persons; it is the
union of two hearts. It lives on the love you give each other and never grows old, but
thrives on the joy of each new day. Marriage is love. May you always be able to talk
things over, to confide in each other, to laugh with each other, to enjoy life together,
and to share moments of quiet and peace, when the day is done. May you be blessed
with a lifetime of happiness and a home of warmth and understanding."

"True marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage
continue well beyond the ceremony's end. A brief moment in time and the stroke of
the pen are all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a
lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and
everlasting. Today you declare your commitment to each other before family and
friends. Your yesterdays were the path to this moment, and your journey to a future of
togetherness becomes a little clearer with each new day."

"Marriage is a vital social institution. The exclusive commitment of two individuals to

each other nurtures love and mutual support; it brings stability to our society. For
those who choose to marry, and for their children, marriage provides an abundance of
social benefits, as well as obligations - a "social institution of the highest importance."

"Love should have no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if your love and needs must
have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings
its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by
your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully. To wake at
dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; To rest at the
noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; To return home at eventide with gratitude;
Then to sleep with a vision of the beloved in your heart and a song of love on your
lips."

"___________ and ____________, remember to treat yourselves and each other with
respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Take
responsibility for making the other feel safe, and give the highest priority to the
tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration,
difficulty and fear assail your relationship, as they threaten all relationships at some
time or another, remember to focus on what is right between you, not just the part that
seems wrong. In this way, you can survive the times when clouds drift across the face
of the sun in your lives, remembering that, just because you may lose sight of it for a
moment, does not mean the sun has gone away. And, if each of you takes
responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and
delight."

"May you always need one another, not to fill an emptiness, but to help each other
know your fullness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you embrace
one another, but not encircle one another. May you succeed in all important ways with
each other, and not fail in the little graces. May you have happiness, and may you find
it in making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it in loving one
another."

"No other human ties are more tender and no other vows more important than those
you are about to take. Both of you come to this day with the deep realization that the
contract of marriage is sacred, as are all of its obligations and responsibilities. You
will leave here embracing one of the greatest human bonds that life has to offer. May
your days together be many and rewarding."

"Ultimately there comes a moment when a decision must be made. Two people who
love each other must ask themselves how much they hope for as their love grows and
deepens, and how much risk they are willing to take. Commitment may well be a
fearful gamble. Because it is the nature of love to create, a marriage itself is
 something which has to be created, such that as we come together in marriage, we
become a new creature."

"When you love someone, you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way,
from moment to moment. Such is an impossibility, and even a lie to pretend to. And
yet this is exactly what most of us demand. We have so little faith in the ebb and flow
of life, of love, of relationships. We leap at the flow of the tide and resist in terror its
ebb. We are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanency, on duration, on
continuity; when the only continuity possible, in life as in love, is in growth, in
fluidity - in freedom, in the sense that the dancers are free, barely touching as they
pass, but partners in the same pattern."

Apache Blessing: "Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the
other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now
there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you
are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both
in the journey ahead and through all the years, May happiness be your companion and
your days together be good and long upon the earth."

"The only real security is not in owning or possessing, not in demanding or expecting,
not in hoping, even. Security in a relationship lies neither in looking back to what was
in nostalgia, nor forward to what it might be in dread or anticipation, but living in the
present relationship and accepting it as it is now. Relationships must be like islands,
one must accept them for what they are here and now, within their limits - islands,
surrounded and interrupted by the sea, and continually visited and abandoned by the
tides."

"___________ and _______, the time has come to forget all the stress of planning this
day and simply enjoy your friends and family who have gathered to spend this day
with you. This group of loved ones will, likely, never be together in the same place
again. Through quiet reflection and nostalgia, think about how each person has
touched your life and why they are here with you today." (Note: This reading works
best just before the declaration of marriage)

The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran: "You were born together, and together you shall be
forevermore. You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the heavens dance
between you. Love one another, but make not a bond of your love; let it rather be a
moving sea between the shores of your soul. Fill each others' cup but drink not from
one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and
dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone. Even as the strings of
a lute are alone, though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not
into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand
together yet not too near together: for the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the oak
tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow."

"________ and ________, today you choose each other before your family and
friends, to begin your life together. For all the tomorrows that follow, you will choose
each other over and again, in the privacy of your hearts. Let your love and friendship
guide you, as you learn and grow together. Experience the wonders of the world, even
as patience and wisdom calm the restless nature. Through your partnership, triumph
over the challenges in your path. Through the comfort of loving arms, may you
always find a safe place to call home."

"________and __________, seek from within yourselves

The serenity to accept the things you cannot change
The courage to change the things that you must
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Live each day, one day at a time
Enjoying your time together, one moment at a time
Seek the wisdom of experience
Learning all that you can from each other
Accept hardships as the building blocks of experience
Realizing that accepting both the good and bad
Are simply a part of being alive
Strive to make as many things right
As is humanly possible in your life together
That you may be reasonably happy
In the life you share from this day forward"

Vows:

Vows may run from traditional to customized. Below are examples of some common
vows. Feel free to add your own embellishments, loving words, funny promises (I
promise to take the trash out!) and inside jokes. Also, couples may like pieces of
several of the vow examples, while not finding any one example that completely
reflects their preferences. Pieces from several can be blended together to make the
"perfect" one.
There are 3 formats or "styles" for vows (and also ring exchanges):
1. Echo - Officiant says "Please repeat after me", then reads the vow one line at a
time, with participant repeating each line, one line at a time, until the vow is complete.
2. I Do - Officiant begins with "Do you", then reads the entire vow, followed by the
 participant's response of "I do"
3. Recital - a more personal vow, spoken from memory while looking directly into the
partner's eyes, and without prompt by officiant. This format can be tricky, especially
if the vows are long and complex. A written text (cheat sheet) tucked in a sleeve for
backup is a good idea for this option.

"Do you ____________, take _____________ to be your lawfully wedded wife,

promising to love and cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and
whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?"

"Do you ________________, take _____________, to be your partner in life and

sharing your path; equal in love, a mirror for your true self, promising to honor and
cherish, through good times and bad, until death do you part?"

Do you ____________, take __________ to be your (wife/husband), to have and to

hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness
and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?"

"Do you _________ choose _________ to be your partner in life, to support and
respect (her/him) in (his/her) successes and as well (his/her) failures, to care for
(him/her) in sickness and in health, to nurture (him/her), and to grow with (him/her)
throughout the seasons of your life together?"

"Do you _____________, accept _______________ as your lifemate and one true
love, promising to share in all that life offers and suffers, to be there for (him/her) in
times of need, to soothe (him/her) in times of pain, and to support (him/her) in all
endeavors, big and small."

"I __________, accept you __________, as my companion and my (wife/husband). I

promise to care for you, honor you, and cherish you, for as long as we both shall
love."

"I take you to be my spouse, in equal love, as a mirror for my true self, as a partner on
my path, to honor and to cherish, in sorrow and in joy, till death do us part."

"I take you as my wedded [wife/husband], to share my life with you, and pledge that I
will love, honor, and care for you in tenderness and affection in all the varying
circumstances of our lives."

"I acknowledge my love and respect for you and invite you to share my life as I hope
to share yours. I promise always to recognize you as an equal individual and always to
be conscious of your development as well as my own. I shall seek through kindness
and understanding to achieve with you the life we have envisioned."

"I promise to always be there for you, to shelter and hold your love as the most
precious gift in my life. I will be truthful and honor you. I will care for you always
and stand by you in times of sorrow and joy."

"I, [Name], promise you, [Name], that I will be your [wife/husband] from this day
forward, to be faithful and honest in every way, to honor the faith and trust you place
in me, to love and respect you in your successes and in your failures, to make you
laugh and to be there when you cry, to care for you in sickness and in health, to softly
kiss you when you are hurting, and to be your companion and your friend, on this
journey that we make together."

"I, (Bride/Groom), take you (Groom/Bride), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to

hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness
and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

"I, (name), take you, (name), to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] (husband/wife), my

constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward."

I pledge to you endless strength that you can count on when you are weak. I'll be your
music when you can't hear, your sunshine when you can't see, or your perfume when
you can't smell. You'll never need to look further than me. I'll be your days and nights
when you need them filled, your spark of life in the darkness, your hope when you're
down and out."

"In the presence of our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your
faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well
as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to
honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as
long as we both shall live."

"I (name), take you (name) to be my (husband/wife), my partner in life and my one
true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day
before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you
faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face
together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as
long as we both shall live."
 "I, [name], choose you [name] to be my [husband/wife], to respect you in your
successes and in your failures, to care for you in sickness and in health, to nurture
you, and to grow with you throughout the seasons of life."

"I, (name), take you, (name), to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and
trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together,
getting to know the (man/woman) you will become, and falling in love a little more
each day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us."

Exchange of rings:

First question is how many rings? Some ceremonies only involve the groom giving
the bride a ring. The next question is who will be speaking during the ring exchange?
First option is for the one placing the ring to speak their line as they place the ring on
the other's finger. In a one ring ceremony, the groom speaks the line while placing the
ring on the bride's finger. In the two ring ceremony, this is followed by the bride
speaking the line while placing the ring on the groom's finger. Often, the ring
statement by groom/bride is recited (memorized), with or without prompt from
officiant. This works well for one liners like "With this ring, I thee wed". For longer
ring statements, echo style works well. Some couples like to give a response to
receiving the ring, so examples of those are also provided. Second option is for the
officiant to read a meaningful quote, such as the importance and/or history of the
golden band, either before or as the rings are exchanged. This can either be followed
by bride/groom statements, or rather instead of. While statements are traditional, it is
not required for bride and groom to speak during ring exchange.

"I (name) give you (name) this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment
to you."

"With this ring, I thee wed."

"Through this ring, I accept you as my (wife/husband), now and for all time."

"I give you this ring, a symbol of my love, as I give to you all that I am, and accept
from you, all that you are."

"With this ring, I thee wed, and with it, I bestow upon thee all the treasures of my
mind, my heart, and my hands."
 "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. As I place it on your
finger, I commit my heart and soul to you. I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of
the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day."

"This ring is a token of my love. I marry you with this ring, with all that I have and all
that I am"

"I give you this ring as a visible and constant symbol of my promise to be with you,
for as long as I live."

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. Let it be a reminder that I am
always by your side and that I will always be a faithful partner to you."

"I have for you a golden ring. The most precious metal symbolizes that your love is
the most precious element in my life. The ring has no beginning and no ending, which
symbolizes that the love between us will never cease. I place it on your finger as a
visible sign of the vows which have made us husband and wife."

"(Name), I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. As it encircles your finger, may
it remind you always that you are surrounded by my enduring love. "

With my body, I thee worship

With my heart, I thee cherish
Would all that I am, I give unto you
Would all that I have, I share with you
From this day until forever done.
With this ring, I thee wed

Response (optional):
"I will forever wear this ring as a sign of my commitment and the desire of my heart"

"I will wear it gladly. Whenever I look at it, I will remember this joyous day and the
vows and commitments that we have made."

(Officiant, before or as rings are exchanged)

"Wedding rings are made precious by our wearing them. Your rings say that even in
your uniqueness you have chosen to be bound together. Let these rings also be a sign
that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that, despite its
occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight. May these rings
remind you always of the vows you have taken here today."
 "You have for each other a golden ring. This most precious of metals symbolizes that
love is the most precious element in your life together. The ring has no beginning and
no ending, which symbolizes that the love between you will never cease. You place
these rings upon each others fingers as a visible sign of the vows which, this day, have
made you husband and wife."

Alternate for non-gold rings: "You have for each other special rings symbols that
love is the most precious element in your life together. The ring has no beginning and
no ending, which symbolizes that the love between you will never cease. You place
these rings upon each others fingers as a visible sign of your vows this day, which will
make you husband and wife."

Declaration of Marriage:

The officiant will say something like "And now, by the power vested in me by the
State of Idaho, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. (traditional)_______,"You
may kiss your bride." (contemporary) "You may now kiss". Then the first kiss and
introduction of the newly joined couple to the attendees: "Ladies and Gentlemen" (or)
"Family and Friends", then "I present to you" (and/or) "For the first time" (Mr and
Mrs optional)______________ and _____________ _________________

Note: Traditional introduction uses only the groom's name (i.e. "Mr and Mrs John
Doe")
More contemporary: Groom's first and last, bride's first ("John and Jane Doe")
If bride is not going to be changing her name, or if the couple has opted for
ahyphenated surname, then the introduction should reflect that choice.
Introduction is generally suffixed by "husband and wife", "newlyweds", or something
similar.

Other Options

Certificate signing:

A popular option is to include the certificate signing as part of the ceremony.

After the declaration of marriage/first kiss, and before the introduction, officiant will
say something like:
"Friends and family, to conclude this ceremony, will the designated witnesses please
come forward and sign their names to the certificate of marriage."

Usually the two witnesses are best man and maid of honor, but can be any two who
attended the ceremony. Light background music can be played during the signing.
Signing is then followed by introduction and recession.

Unity Traditions:

There are a variety of Unity traditions that may be included in a ceremony. Some are
old and some are recent, but unity traditions are growing in popularity. Below are
some examples:

Unity Candles: The bride and groom each take a lit candle and simultaneously light a
third larger "unity candle." They may blow out their individual lights, or leave them
lit, symbolizing that they have not lost their individuality in their unity.

Variation 1: Each mother holds an unlit candle. Fathers light the mother's candles,
then mother's use those candles to light bride and groom candles; followed by bride
and groom lighting the larger unity candle with their respective candles.

Variation 2: Bride's mother passes a lit candle to last bridesmaid, and the candle is
passed ceremoniously up the line to the bride. At the same time, groom's mother
passes her candle to the last groomsman, ceremoniously passing the candle up the line
to the groom. Then bride and groom turn, with candles in hand, to light the unity
candle with the candles they received.

Variation 3: All guests are given a candle, and the first guest's is lit. Guests pass the
flame until all are lit, and then the bride and groom together light their unity candle.
This variation typically includes a proclamation that this ceremony represents the
unity of friends and family supporting the couple in their marriage.

Sample reading for candle ceremony:

(prompt)And now, ______________ and __________, it is time to light your candles.
or
And now it is time for the candles of unity.

(During Candle Lighting) On this day you make a new light together, symbolizing the
two becoming one. May you also continue to recognize that separateness from which
your relationship has sprung. May the lights of your own special lives continue to feed
the new flame of love which will fuel your future together -- through all its hopes and
disappointments, its successes and failures, its pleasures and its pains, its joys and its
 sorrows -- a future filled with the warmth and love of the flame you share today..
*

Rose Ceremony: A simple unity ceremony where the bride and groom exchange
roses. Other variations: the families exchange roses, the bride and groom exchange
roses with their families, the bride and groom exchange roses, then present their
mothers with the roses.
*

First Fight or Anniversary Box: Originally known as the "First Fight Box", it can also
be used as an Anniversary Box, which sounds a bit more positive. Start with a box. It
can be carved, painted, decorated, etc, to fit the wedding theme. Predrill the top so that
the nails fit snug, but will pass through easily. Insert the nails before the ceremony, so
that it will be ready. During the ceremony, put wine and love letters inside, and then
bride and groom nail it shut. First Fight Box means it is to be opened after the first
fight, letter read and wine drank, to remind the couple of their commitment and love
for each other. Same with the Anniversary box, except that it will be opened at a
specified anniversary. Pick one - 1st, 5th, or 10th are good choices. Purpose of the box
- Fight or Anniversary - will be explained by the officiant during the sealing.

*
Wine Ceremony: The bride and groom each take a carafe of wine and each pour some
into a single glass, which they both drink from.
*
**Quaich variation: A quaich is a two handled cup, and signifies the trust and unity
between the partners. The Quaich (pronounced "Quake"), filled with wine or other
favorite drink, either before or during ceremony, sits on a pedestal between the bride
and groom. At the appropriate moment, the groom picks up the Quaich by the
handles, bride places her hands on his, then they take turns drinking
Note: We have a Quaich available for ceremonies.

Example of reading for Quaich Unity: "The Quaich, a two handled loving cup, is an
ancient Scottish tradition that seals the bond of two people, and marks the blending of
two families. It symbolizes the love and trust implied by the bond, as the new couple
shares the first drink of their marriage together.
___________ and _________, it is now time to complete your bond.
*

Water Ceremony: The couple each pour a different colored water into a single glass,
creating a third color.
*

Sand Ceremony: Similar to the water ceremony, the bride and groom both pour
different colored sand into a glass, taking turns, a little at a time, which creates
colorful swirls and patterns. After the ceremony and festivities, jar is typically sealed
by pouring hot wax into the top of the jar, and then capping it with a cork stopper or
other lid. This will preserve the swirls and make a nice display item for the home.

Variation 1: Includes children or other family members of the bride and groom, each
having a different colored sand and taking part in the unity ceremony.

Variation 2: Brides family fills one glass with different colored sands, and groom's
family fills a second. Then bride and groom take their respective mixes to alternately
fill the large container.

A common reading used for sand ceremonies (can be adapted for water, too): "Life's
moments are as grains of sands, forever moving and shifting with the winds of time.
Today, ________ and __________, you are making your eternal commitment to one
another, blending the sands of your lives together. The separate vessels of sand you
each hold represents your lives up to this moment. And from this moment on, as with
the sands you now blend together, you shall become one; a family created."
Colored sands, carafes and vases can be found at many craft stores. Click here for an
 online selection: Unity Vases and Sand
*

Salt Ceremony: Indian weddings often include a salt ceremony, where the bride
passes a handful of salt to her groom without spilling any. He then passes it back to
her and the exchange is repeated three times. She then performs the salt exchange
with all the members of the groom's family, symbolizing her blending in with her new
family.
*

Breaking Bread Ceremony: The bride and groom tear off pieces of bread, and then
each eat a piece. Sometimes the bread is also shared with family and friends. It
symbolizes their future as a family together.
*

Garland Ceremony or Lei Ceremony: The bride and groom exchange garlands of
flowers. This is a common part of Indian weddings, where the ceremony is called
varmala or jaimala, and represents a proposal by the bride and acceptance by the
groom. It also represents their new unity, blessed by nature. In Hawaiian weddings,
the bride and groom typically exchange leis. The families may also exchange leis with
the couple. Leis represent the love and respect you have for the person you are giving
it to, and the unity of the new family.
*

Circling: In Eastern European ceremonies, the bride and groom circle the altar three
times, which are their first steps together as husband and wife. In Hindu ceremonies,
couples circle the fire seven times, sealing their bond. The unbroken circle represents
the unbroken commitment to each other.
*

**Sand Unity sample carafes -- Quaich for wine unity:**

Poetry, special music, photos, videos, audience participation rites, etc., can also be
tastefully added to a ceremony for that personal touch.

Back to the Moments & Milestones

Contact us:

Email: