A unity ceremony is a symbolic ritual that is typically incorporated into a wedding ceremony to signify the union of two individuals. It typically comes after the exchange of vows.
This ritual can take many forms, including handfasting, circling, and lighting a unity candle. While a unity ceremony is not mandatory, it can be a powerful way to express the bond between partners and to include family members in the celebration. Whether you are seeking a religious, historical, or secular ceremony, there may be a unity ritual that resonates with you and your partner. Additionally, a unity ceremony can provide an opportunity to honor your family’s traditions and heritage.
Here are a collection of traditional ideas for unity ceremonies that can be incorporated into your full ceremony. Remember ‘though, there are no rules, so if you are creative you can always come up with a totally new idea. Who knows, you may start a new tradition.
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Unity Candles
Unity candles are a lovely tradition that symbolizes the joining of two lives into one. During the ceremony, the bride and groom each light a separate candle, representing their individual lives before the wedding. Then, together, they use their lit candles to light a larger unity candle, symbolizing their new life together as a couple. It’s a beautiful moment that highlights the unity and love between the couple. The unity candle can be customized to match the theme or colors of the wedding, making it a unique and personalized addition to the ceremony.
Lasso Ceremony
This is a beautiful tradition that is often incorporated into Latin American weddings. The lasso, or “el lazo” in Spanish, is a long rope or ribbon that is looped around the couple’s shoulders, forming a figure-eight shape that represents the infinity of their love. During the ceremony, the lasso is placed over the couple’s shoulders by family members or the wedding officiant, and they are then “tied” together in a knot, symbolizing their union as a couple. It’s such a romantic and meaningful moment, and it’s a wonderful way to honor the couple’s heritage and culture. Plus, the lasso itself can be a beautiful decorative element, adding an extra touch of elegance to the ceremony. I think it’s a really special tradition that truly captures the essence of love and commitment.
Anniversary Capsule
This concept is simple – the couple puts together a time capsule filled with meaningful items, such as love letters, photos, and mementos from their wedding day. They then seal the capsule and agree to open it together on a specific anniversary, such as their 5th or 10th year of marriage. It’s such a fun and sentimental way to celebrate their love and reflect on their journey as a couple. And, it’s a great way to create new memories and traditions over the years. The anniversary capsule can be a simple DIY project or a more elaborate one that involves family and friends. Either way, it’s a unique and special way to keep the love and magic of your wedding day alive for years to come!
Handfasting
This beautiful tradition has been used for centuries. During the ceremony, the couple’s hands are bound together with a ribbon or cord, symbolising their union and commitment to each other. The ribbon is usually tied in a knot, signifying the couple’s promise to stay together through thick and thin.
Handfasting is a wonderful way to personalise your wedding ceremony and honour your heritage, as it has roots in Celtic, Norse, and Pagan traditions. It’s also a great way to involve family members or friends in the ceremony, as they can help tie the knot. The ribbon used in the ceremony can be a family heirloom or something that is specially chosen to match the wedding’s theme or colours.
Sand pouring
During the ceremony, the couple pours different colors of sand into a clear glass vessel, creating a beautiful layered effect that represents the blending of their individual lives into one. The sand colors can be chosen to represent the couple’s personalities or the wedding’s color scheme.
The glass vessel can be personalized with the couple’s names or wedding date. Sand pouring is a great option for outdoor or beach weddings, as the sand can be collected from the wedding location itself. Plus, the finished product makes for a really beautiful and unique keepsake that the couple can display in their home.
Circling
During the ceremony, the couple stands facing each other while holding hands, and they are then encouraged to walk in a circle around each other, usually three times. The circle represents the cycle of life and the journey that the couple will take together. Each circle around the other symbolises a different aspect of their relationship, such as love, trust, and commitment. The circling ritual is often used in Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim wedding ceremonies, but it can be incorporated into any wedding ceremony as a unique and meaningful addition. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate the love and commitment between two people, and it creates a really special and memorable moment in the ceremony.
A Wish Lantern
I would say – be careful of this one. The idea is to release a paper lantern into the night sky while making a wish for your future together as a couple.
The problem with this idea is that, as romantic as it may seem, what goes up must come down. So where is your candle powered lantern going to land? In a field where it may get eaten by a curious animal who suffers as a consequence? In a haystack or someone’s roof where it ignites a fire causing thousands of pounds worth of damage? Or will it just contribute to the litter in the countryside?
No, I would say try to think of less potentially destructive ways of expressing your wishes. There are several ideas here.
Wine or Beer Blending
This is a really fun and interactive way to involve guests in the ceremony, and it’s perfect for couples who love wine or beer. During the ceremony, the couple is given two different wines or beers, one representing the bride and one representing the groom. The couple then pours their respective wine or beer into a larger vessel, creating a new blend that represents the joining of their lives together.
This blended wine or beer is then served to the guests during the reception, and it’s a really unique and personalized touch to the wedding celebration. It’s also a great way to incorporate family traditions, as the wines or beers can be chosen based on family heritage or preferences.
Glass pouring
This has much in common with the afore mentioned Sand Ceremony. During the ceremony, the couple pours different colors of glass crystals into a glass vessel, creating a beautiful mixed design that represents the blending of their individual lives into one. The glass vessel is then taken and made into a custom keepsake, such as a vase or a sculpture, that the couple can display in their home. Glass pouring is a great option for couples who want a tangible reminder of their wedding day that they can enjoy for years to come. It’s also a fun and interactive addition to the ceremony, as guests can be invited to add their own crystals to the glass vessel.
Braiding of the cross
This is often used in Christian weddings. During the ceremony, the couple is given three strands of cord or ribbon, usually in different colors, that they then braid together to form a cross. The three strands represent the couple’s individual lives, as well as their faith and the presence of God in their marriage. The braided cross is then blessed by the officiant, and the couple can display it in their home as a reminder of their wedding day and their commitment to each other and their faith. The braiding of the cross is a really unique and special way to incorporate religion and tradition into the wedding ceremony.
Tree planting
Here’s a beautiful and eco-friendly way to symbolize the growth and longevity of your relationship. During the ceremony, the couple plants a tree together, usually in a special location that they can visit throughout their lives. The tree represents the couple’s commitment to each other and the growth of their love over time. It’s also a wonderful way to give back to the environment and create a lasting impact.
The type of tree can be chosen based on personal preference or symbolism, such as a tree that is native to the couple’s hometown or one that represents strength and stability. The tree can be a small sapling or a larger tree that is already established, depending on the couple’s preference. This ritual is a really special and meaningful way to celebrate the love and commitment between two people, while also giving back to the planet.
Wine Box Ceremony
This will be a sure hit with wine lovers. During the ceremony, the couple places a bottle of wine in a special box, along with love letters that they have written to each other. The box is then sealed and is not to be opened until a specific anniversary, such as their 5th or 10th year of marriage. When they open the box, they can read the letters that they wrote to each other and enjoy the bottle of wine together, reminiscing on their wedding day and the memories that they have made over the years. It’s a really special way to celebrate their love and commitment, and it creates a fun and romantic tradition for them to enjoy over the years. The wine box can be customized with the couple’s names or wedding date, and the bottle of wine can be chosen based on their personal preferences.
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