When Two become One
Symbolic Unity Rituals are an additional element sometimes added to a ceremony as a way to represent "two becoming one" through the use of rituals and objects. They offer a visual element to the day, and often include keepsakes which you can treasure at home for long after your wedding day. They can be used not just to symbolise the union of your love, but to also symbolise the union of your two families. Its a great way to include your children in to your wedding ceremony.
Many symbolic ceremonies hold their origins in spiritual religion, but whatever your beliefs a symbolic ceremony can be tailored to suit your own personal way of life, and can make for a unique and memorable addition to your day.
Many symbolic ceremonies hold their origins in spiritual religion, but whatever your beliefs a symbolic ceremony can be tailored to suit your own personal way of life, and can make for a unique and memorable addition to your day.
Unity Candle Ceremony
The bride and groom each light an individual candle representing themselves as individuals. They bring the individual candles together to light the central unity candle symbolising their union and their new life together.
Alternatively a representative from each family e.g. the Mothers can light the individual candles. The two candles are brought together and a third candle is lit by the couple. It signifies the giving of each child by their family in support of the marriage and the joining of two families.
The candle ceremony is often part of a catholic church wedding so can add a religious aspect to your ceremony if your family comes from a religious back round.
The bride and groom each light an individual candle representing themselves as individuals. They bring the individual candles together to light the central unity candle symbolising their union and their new life together.
Alternatively a representative from each family e.g. the Mothers can light the individual candles. The two candles are brought together and a third candle is lit by the couple. It signifies the giving of each child by their family in support of the marriage and the joining of two families.
The candle ceremony is often part of a catholic church wedding so can add a religious aspect to your ceremony if your family comes from a religious back round.
Unity Sand Ceremony
A meaningful symbolic ritual of marriage in which the couple each pours a different colour of sand from separate containers into one special container, the unity vase, symbolising their coming together as one.
The layers of sand represent their two different personalities, still separate but joined together as one. The top is sealed and you can take this home as a keepsake. You could bring sand from a beach which holds special memories for you both. This ritual can also include family members and is especially touching when either, or both of you, has children.
A meaningful symbolic ritual of marriage in which the couple each pours a different colour of sand from separate containers into one special container, the unity vase, symbolising their coming together as one.
The layers of sand represent their two different personalities, still separate but joined together as one. The top is sealed and you can take this home as a keepsake. You could bring sand from a beach which holds special memories for you both. This ritual can also include family members and is especially touching when either, or both of you, has children.
Hand Fasting
We have all heard the expressions "taking each others hand in marriage" or "Tying the Knot". It's in reference to the ancient Celtic custom of hand fasting. Hand fasting is the lightly binding of the hands of a couple together using a cord, rope, ribbons, a scarf, tartan or strips of fabric.
It is meant to signify a couples coming together as "One".
We have all heard the expressions "taking each others hand in marriage" or "Tying the Knot". It's in reference to the ancient Celtic custom of hand fasting. Hand fasting is the lightly binding of the hands of a couple together using a cord, rope, ribbons, a scarf, tartan or strips of fabric.
It is meant to signify a couples coming together as "One".
Warming of the Rings
The couple’s rings are tied together with ribbon (or any cord) and passed amongst all your family & friends to be loaded with their love and good wishes. They come full circle back to the couple for the exchange of vows and rings. This can be accompanied by music. Simple, but very touching.
The couple’s rings are tied together with ribbon (or any cord) and passed amongst all your family & friends to be loaded with their love and good wishes. They come full circle back to the couple for the exchange of vows and rings. This can be accompanied by music. Simple, but very touching.
Wine Ceremony
There are two small glasses of wine, with one bigger empty glass in the middle. The bride and groom take a small glass each and hold them, facing each other. Their individual glasses of wine represent who they each are. They each take a sip and pour their glasses into the large glass to combine the two wines and to symbolise the union of their two lives.
Just as the two wines can never be separated and poured back into their individual glasses so will their marriage be: a blending of two individual personalities coming together as one.
There are two small glasses of wine, with one bigger empty glass in the middle. The bride and groom take a small glass each and hold them, facing each other. Their individual glasses of wine represent who they each are. They each take a sip and pour their glasses into the large glass to combine the two wines and to symbolise the union of their two lives.
Just as the two wines can never be separated and poured back into their individual glasses so will their marriage be: a blending of two individual personalities coming together as one.
Traditional Scottish Quaich
The word Quaich comes from the Gaelic word ´cuach´or cup. It is often referred to as ‘the loving cup’ or cup of welcome, or friendship and its´ two handles make it ideal for sharing. Drinking from the same cup is a lovely symbol of the love and trust between the couple. Because it is traditionally ‘the cup of welcome’, drinking from it can also be seen as a way of welcoming the bride and groom into each other’s family. During your ceremony you will drink whiskey (or any drink of choice) from the cup. A great way to calm your nerves too!!. I will then read a traditional Scottish poem.
The word Quaich comes from the Gaelic word ´cuach´or cup. It is often referred to as ‘the loving cup’ or cup of welcome, or friendship and its´ two handles make it ideal for sharing. Drinking from the same cup is a lovely symbol of the love and trust between the couple. Because it is traditionally ‘the cup of welcome’, drinking from it can also be seen as a way of welcoming the bride and groom into each other’s family. During your ceremony you will drink whiskey (or any drink of choice) from the cup. A great way to calm your nerves too!!. I will then read a traditional Scottish poem.
Wine Box Time Capsule
This is one for all the wine lovers out there (although it can be any drink of choice).. inside a mini wine box place your love letters to each other along with your favorite tipple .. who could think of anything more meaningful than your own time capsule to be opened on your 5 year anniversary.
On your 5th wedding anniversary, open the wine box, read your love letters to each other and toast to your love and happiness while drinking your bottle of wine together.
Some couples love this idea so much, that they will replace the wine bottle and love letters to be opened on their next multiple of 5 years anniversary! Like a vow renewal!
This is one for all the wine lovers out there (although it can be any drink of choice).. inside a mini wine box place your love letters to each other along with your favorite tipple .. who could think of anything more meaningful than your own time capsule to be opened on your 5 year anniversary.
On your 5th wedding anniversary, open the wine box, read your love letters to each other and toast to your love and happiness while drinking your bottle of wine together.
Some couples love this idea so much, that they will replace the wine bottle and love letters to be opened on their next multiple of 5 years anniversary! Like a vow renewal!
Irish Silver Wedding coin
It is believed that the Irish tradition of the wedding coin has its roots in the Brehon law, when the groom would gift his new bride with a silver coin to represent that from this point forward, everything he owns would be equally shared. Some believe that once the wedding coin is gifted to the bride, it should be put into the bride’s shoe to ensure prosperity in the marriage.
The wedding coin can also be handed down from parents to eldest child, or first son, or so forth as a family heirloom.
It is believed that the Irish tradition of the wedding coin has its roots in the Brehon law, when the groom would gift his new bride with a silver coin to represent that from this point forward, everything he owns would be equally shared. Some believe that once the wedding coin is gifted to the bride, it should be put into the bride’s shoe to ensure prosperity in the marriage.
The wedding coin can also be handed down from parents to eldest child, or first son, or so forth as a family heirloom.
Some of the materials used in the Unity Rituals listed above may incur an extra cost.
|
|
|
|
What Our Couples Are Saying"Michelle our ceremony was everything we hoped it would be and more – personal, heartfelt, and so full of love and light. You set the perfect tone, and so many of our guests came up to us afterwards saying how fantastic you were, and how it was one of the most beautiful and meaningful ceremonies they’d ever witnessed. You brought a calmness and joy to the room that was truly special.
Laura & Jarlath "We were so happy with our ceremony thank you so so much. We loved how you told our story and the effort you put into the way it flowed, it was really beautiful. The pace of the ceremony was perfect, it was just long enough but it didn’t feel rushed and it was relaxed.
Alex & Jason "Michelle we honestly can’t thank you enough for the ceremony you prepared for us.It was timed perfectly, it was heart-felt, personal, unique, and just everything we wanted. There wasn't a dry eye in the house".
Sophie & Dualta |
Contact Michelle
|