By now, most people are familiar with the unity candle, but did you know there are numerous other unification ceremonies to consider when planning your wedding? While the unity candle has become a popular symbol of togetherness, it is a relatively recent tradition, having gained popularity only in the last few decades. Today, a variety of "two-become-one" motifs are available to enhance the theme of unity in your wedding ceremony.
Unification ceremonies are not just symbols of togetherness; they are also versatile elements that can be customized to include important family members, such as the parents of the bride and groom. Children from previous marriages can also participate, as can the entire congregation in smaller weddings. Common choices for such inclusive ceremonies include candle and rose ceremonies.
Interestingly, unification ceremonies can be "stacked," meaning it's not unusual to find a wedding that includes multiple ceremonies, such as a hand and water ceremony or a wine and rose ceremony. Some couples choose to play music during these ceremonies, while others prefer silence.
The timing of unification ceremonies varies, but they most often occur directly before or after the exchange of vows. These ceremonies can be particularly significant in non-religious weddings, which might otherwise feel too brief.
The rose ceremony is a flexible, informal option, especially suited for interfaith or non-religious weddings, as well as garden weddings. In this ceremony, the bride and groom exchange a single rose as their first married gift to each other. They are encouraged to remember this symbol of their love during challenging times in their marriage.
In the hand ceremony, the bride takes the groom's hands in hers, palms up. The officiant invites her to view his hands as a gift, saying: "These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future, laugh and cry, and share your innermost secrets and dreams." The groom then takes the bride's hands, palms up, and the officiant continues: "These are the hands that will passionately love 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."
In the knot ceremony, the mothers of the bride and groom are given a cord, which the officiant later asks them to present to the couple. The couple then ties a lover's knot, which they can keep as a memento.
These mixing ceremonies are well-suited for Unitarian or interfaith weddings. The sand ceremony, which is said to originate from Apache customs, is particularly popular in beach weddings. In these ceremonies, the bride and groom pour sand or liquid from two separate vials into one. In the wine ceremony, they drink the mixed wine. A nice touch is to have the bride pour white wine while the groom pours red, and then serve rosé at the reception to remind everyone of the ceremony.
The salt covenant is an ancient tradition mentioned in the Bible and commonly seen in Indian-national and Jewish weddings. This mixing ceremony, which symbolizes loyalty, protection, and hospitality, is also starting to appear in non-Jewish weddings.
The foot-washing ceremony, not to be confused with the Scottish bridal foot-washing ceremony (a lively pre-wedding event), is a solemn custom that emphasizes the role of mutual servitude in marriage.
This article has only scratched the surface of unification ceremonies. Other options include bread-sharing ceremonies, circling ceremonies, broom jumping ceremonies, and more. New ceremonies are being invented all the time.
If you feel that a unification ceremony might make your wedding more meaningful and personal, consider these alternatives. Remember, you can incorporate more than one ceremony to make your special day truly unique.
By exploring these diverse unification ceremonies, you can find the perfect way to symbolize your unique bond and make your wedding day even more memorable.
