There are many interesting additions you can make to your ceremony to tailor it to your beliefs, interests, heritage and style.
Handfasting Ceremony
This is a medieval Celtic tradition that involves the couple holding hands while a cord is tied loosely around their hands to represent their binding commitment to each other. Traditionally, the couple then release their hands and the cord is tied in three strong knots and placed into a bag as a wedding keepsake. This tradition is the origin of the phrase, “tying the knot”.
Throwing Stones
In this ancient traditional Irish ceremony, the couple and their guests all throw a stone into the sea/lake/well as a Celtic blessing is read, and they all offer their best wishes that the marriage has the strength of the elements of the earth. (The couple must provide the stones.)
Circling the Fire
In Hindu traditions the couple may perform the Agni Pradakshina or Circling the Fire. Fire is sacred to the Hindu tradition as it represents a manifestation of Agni, the fire god, who is asked to witness the wedding. A Cherokee bride and groom are also married in the presence of a sacred fire.
Circling Each Other
Traditionally, a Jewish bride would circle her husband to be seven times before joining him under the chupah. This signifies the seven days of creation but also the seven wedding blessings. Couples today often choose to circle each other the show their equality in the relationship.
Ring Warming Ceremony
The rings are passed through the guests and each person holds them in order to say a blessing/make a prayer/imbue the rings with their wishes for the couple before the ring exchange ceremony.
Ribbon of Love
A long ribbon is extended through the quests. Each person loops it around a wrist before passing it on. The groom holds one end and the bride holds the other, linking everyone present before rings are exchanged or a hand fasting.
Build your bouquet
Each guest holds a long stemmed flower and, forming a guard of honour, gives them to the bride as she arrives to create her bouquet. The groom provides a ribbon to tie the flowers when she arrives at his side – lovely symbol of everyone being part of the lives of the couple as well as the bride and groom working together.
Sand Ceremony
Using different coloured sands, representing the lives of both the bride and groom, the couple fills a vase call the Unity Vase as they exchange their vows.
Unity Candle
The couple has a candle each lit and burning during the ceremony. During the Candle Ceremony, the bride and groom take their respective candles and together light the unity candle together to represent their joined lives and the light of their love for each other.
Cherokee Blanket Ceremony
At the beginning of a Cherokee wedding, the bride and groom are each draped in a blue blanket. Later, the blankets are removed and are replaced by a single white blanket which represents that they are officially married.
