I will start by saying there are no written rules for what all should be included in your ceremony. Some brides want a traditional mass and others want to just say I DO and party. As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen just about everything…and anything goes! The purpose of this post is just to give you some ideas outside of the “traditional unity ceremony.” The unity candle ceremony dates back to the 1930’s and was very popular in the 80’s and 90’s but today’s brides are coming up with unique ways to replace this ceremony on their wedding day. Below are 3 unique ceremony rituals I’ve witnessed and loved!
The Foot Washing Ceremony
Now, I know just by reading the title you are all thinking – Why in the world is this crazy lady talking about washing feet in the middle of a wedding ceremony? However after having witnessed this recently at an outdoor wedding, I just couldn’t wait to share this wonderful ceremony idea. I was moved to tears by the power of the message. The ceremony stems from the Bible where Jesus washed his disciples feet. (John 13:1-17). This ceremony is to symbolize the servitude that the couple is promising... they will serve each other selflessly as Jesus did. How awesome is that?
God’s Knot – Cord of 3 strands
The Cord of 3 strands is a ceremony based on the Bible verse Ecclesiastes 4:12 "And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken." (KJV) The couple will braid 3 brightly colored strands together to symbolize the unity of God, husband, and wife in their marriage. Click here for suggested readings.
Unity Sand Ceremony
The Unity Sand Ceremony is probably the most common addition to wedding ceremony’s these days. Brent and I included the sand ceremony in our beach wedding this past April. The bride and groom each have colored sand in separate vases that represents their individual lives and families. At the right moment in the ceremony, the bride and groom will take turns pouring the sand into third vessel that represents their lives together.
Here is the passage I used for my sand ceremony:
_______________ and ______________, today you join your separate lives together. The two separate vessels of sand symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. They represent all that you are and all that you'll ever be as an individual. They also represent your lives before today. As these two vessels of sand are poured into the third vessel, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.
Other ideas include Unity Cross Ceremony, Hand Fasting Ceremony, Salt Covenant, Rose Ceremony, and the Wine Ceremony. Click here for details. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, maybe you can come up with your own ceremony!
