Unity rituals are a great way to incorporate your families, backgrounds, cultures, and love between a couple during their ceremony. While there are countless rituals to include, here's a list of the more common ones. As a Life Cycle Celebrant, we are trained in creating a ritual specific to the couple. If you're interested in that aspect of your ceremony, give me a holler!
Wine Ceremony
The couple can either choose to pour one white glass and one red glass to create a blush that they will both drink from or there can be a pouring of one glass that they both will drink from.
Unity Candle
Done to symbolize the union of two individuals, becoming one in commitment. The taper candles are lit by representatives from each family, and the couple uses these two flames to light the unity candle, they bring the love of both families together in a united love of the new couple.
Key Ceremony
A lock with two matching keys, held only by the engaged couple, is presented during the ceremony. The couple holds the hold together in their hands and closes the locks, never to be opened again. This is typically accompanied with a reading by the officiant or a close friend/family member.
Blending of the Sand
The pouring of two different colored sands together is used to symbolize the joining of the couple or the joining of their families. This can also be done with glass granules and blown into a beautiful piece of art!
Jumping the Broom
An African and Celtic tradition which symbolizes the clearing away of negativity with a sweep of the broom and creating a threshold for the couple to cross over into their new life together.
Reverse Unity Candle
Have an unlit candle passed out to each adult guest. To start the candle ceremony, the bride and groom light a single candle together. Then, they use that candle to light those of their bridesmaids and groomsmen, who then start spreading the flame to the rest of the guests. As light is shared among guests, the end result is a community-wide holding of the light.
Butterfly Release
An American Indian Legend says that if you catch a butterfly and make a wish, when you release it your wish will come true. Many people choose to have this ritual performed at the end of their wedding ceremony.
Tree Planting
Many times, the parents of the couple will bring a container of soil from their childhood homes, and the couple blends the soils together and plants the tree in a small container, to be later planted in the yard of their shared home.
Hand Fasting
The original meaning of “tying the knot”. A Celtic tradition where the hands are tied with cloth in the shape of the infinity symbol to symbolize the bringing together of the two hearts in a marriage of strength and unity forever.
Wedding Lasso
Popular in Mexican, Filipino and Spanish cultures. A rosary(or lace rope) is placed around the couple as a symbol of unity. This ritual is often accompanied by an Arras Ceremony (13 coins given to the Bride by the Groom)
Time Capsule
The couple encloses mementos, a bottle of wine, love notes to each other, letters from family and friends, or anything else they find important - set to open on specific anniversaries. This can be especially emotional for couples who communicate best not through the spoken words, but written. It's basically like you're setting up for presents over the years!
Tea Ceremony
Tea ceremonies are a strong part of Asian tradition. The tea ceremony is the most sacred ritual of Chinese Nuptials. A modern twist is each partner chooses a tea that best describes their personalities and have them pour their individual teas into one pot, symbolizing the unifying of their families.
Beer Blending Ceremony
Similar to a wine blending ceremony, beer loving couples may want to blend a light and dark beer together, creating a new, perfect combination. Plus, St. Louis has some of the BEST craft breweries in the country, so why not add some hometown pride?!