Symbolic Rituals
What is a Unity Ceremony?
A unity ceremony is a symbolic ritual woven into the wedding ceremony.
Many couples are now choosing to enhance their wedding or renewal of vows ceremony by including a unity ritual. They enable everyone to feel included and make key elements of the ceremony more poignant.
They are by no means an essential addition and you may feel that it's not for you. However, if you're still undecided whether you wish to include a symbolic unity ritual in the proceedings, then the following information may help you when deciding which option would suit you best…
Ritual is the way you carry the presence of the sacred. Ritual is the spark that must not go out.
- Christina Baldwin
Unity Candle Ceremony
​
What is a Unity Candle Ceremony?
​
A unity candle ceremony involves a couple each taking a lit candle and simultaneously lighting what is known as the “unity candle”. This symbolises that they are more effective together than alone and that they share a unified purpose and mutual trust.
​
The ritual involves two taper candles and a pillar candle between them. A representative from each family is invited to step forward to light each of the taper candles at the beginning of the ceremony. This symbolises the contribution and guidance that the families have given to the lives of the couple.
Following the exchange of the vows, the couple take the taper candles and simultaneously light the centre pillar candle; a symbol of their love for each other, the strength that two people can bring by coming together in a relationship and their shared lives from this moment.
​
It’s worth noting that not all venues will allow live flames in their premises – check with your venue before committing yourself to the idea of a unity candle ceremony!
​
​
Ring Warming Ceremony
​
What is a Ring Warming Ceremony?
​
A Ring warming or Blessing of the Rings is a wonderful opportunity for your guests to hold your wedding bands before the ceremony. In doing so, the positive energy of their love, their blessings and best wishes for the couple's future transfer into both rings. Rings that have been warmed and blessed in this way will also remind you of the circle of friends and family who were there to support you on your big day and will continue to do so throughout your marriage.
​
​
Sand Ceremony
​
What is a Sand Ceremony?
​
A sand ceremony is a wonderful alternative to a unity candle ceremony especially if you're proposing an outdoor wedding, as it will save you from constantly re-lighting the candle on a windy day!
​
The strong symbolism of two people becoming one by the visual blending of two coloured sands into one vessel, would be a beautiful addition to your wedding ceremony.
The couple mix two different colours of sand into one container, thereby symbolising their lives and hearts being joined as one. Once the sands have combined it would be extremely difficult to separate them from each other just as the couple are so joined together.
The ritual is simple to perform and can easily be adapted and personalised to meet the needs of the couple.
​
​
Tree Planting Ceremony
​
What is a Tree Planting Ceremony?
​
Planting a tree is a beautiful unity ritual which would also bring meaning to your special day.
Recognised as an ancient unity ceremony in many cultures throughout the world, tree planting has also captured the interest of many modern day partners who are looking to include an eco friendly unity ritual within their wedding ceremony. Planting a tree symbolises their relationship taking root, growing, and flourishing.
It is also a lovely way for children from previous relationships to be involved in the big day by helping to sprinkle earth around the sapling and using coloured watering cans to jointly water the tree. It symbolises the uniting of two families, their cultures and their histories.
This unity ritual will enable you all to see the importance of nurturing the tree, as you watch it grow, just as love, marriage and family life need to be cared for and protected.
The ceremony could be made even more poignant by choosing a tree for its meaning; by exploring the symbolism which has been assigned to it over the years. You could even use a cutting from a tree that’s special and significant to you and your partner.
​
​
​
Hand Fasting/ "Tying the Knot" Ceremony
​
What is a Hand Fasting/ "Tying the Knot" Ceremony?
​
One of the oldest unity ceremony ideas is the joining of the bride and groom’s hands and wrists using vines, cord, rope, or ribbon tied into a knot.
The true origin of handfasting is not known, but the typical modern handfasting ceremony is derived from the Celtic tradition and is used particularly in Pagan and Wiccan wedding ceremonies.
Historically it was a term used for the word 'wedding' when couples would pledge their betrothal and love by binding their wrists with strips of fabric torn from old garments, vines, rope, cord or ribbon tied into a knot. This symbolised their union and the couple would then be bound by the wrist until midnight. In the Scottish Celtic tradition, the binding would be for a year and a day and if the couple still wanted to stay together the handfasting was formally recognised as their wedding ceremony. Until the Marriage Act of 1754, a handfasting ceremony could be considered legally binding and it is thought that this is where we get the expression 'tying the knot' from today.
This unity ritual often takes place at the end of the wedding ceremony as a final promise from one person to the other to bind their lives together.
This part of the ceremony can become more poignant when the colours of the bindings and the kind of knot used to tie your hands is carefully considered. Each can carry a different meaning, and so, symbolically, one may suit you and your partner better than the others. Some types of knots include Fisherman’s Knots, Infinity Knots, and Trinity Knots.
​
​
​
Jumping the Broom Ceremony
​
What is a Jumping the Broom Ceremony?
​
Like many traditions, the history of jumping the broom at a wedding ceremony is complicated and difficult to trace back to one single source. Some believe the practice originated in the early 1700s in Wales, where the idea of living together was well established as a practical option in rural areas and amongst Roma communities.
Couples who wanted to declare their commitment to each other would place a broom stick in the doorway of their house and whilst holding hands jump over the broom into their new home and new life together.
​
Over time, the tradition of jumping the broom has been somewhat divorced from its Welsh roots. In America, its history has now come to be closely associated with slavery.
The decision to incorporate a broom ceremony in your wedding shouldn't be made lightly. You and your partner should devote plenty of time to researching the practice, along with all of its history and implications, and be sure that the both of you, as well as your family and friends, are clear on why this ritual is being included in your wedding and what it means for all of you.
​
​
​
