Unity Candle Ceremony
The Unity Candle Ceremony consists of the lighting of one candle from two separate candles held by the bride and groom. This ceremony symbolizes the union of two lives into one. Creative variations can be added to the ceremony, such as the mothers of the bride and groom, or any designated member of the wedding party, lighting the candles after they walk down the isle or during the ceremony. The couple may keep the candle (some re-light the candle each year on their anniversary).
Unity Sand Ceremony
The Unity Sand Ceremony has the same symbolism as the Unity candle but utilizes colored sand poured into a glass container, creating multiple layers of different colored sand. You can have as many people participate as you like and you retain the container as a keepsake.
The Blessing of the Rings
The wedding ring is the visible sign of an inward bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It is a seal of the vows made to one another. It symbolizes living together in unity, love and happiness for the rest of their lives.
Breaking of the Glass
The breaking of the glass at the end of a wedding ceremony usually is reserved for Jewish ceremonies. However, it is a beautiful ending to any wedding. Breaking the glass serves to remind us of two very important aspects of a marriage. The bride and groom - and everyone - should consider these marriage vows as an IRREVOCABLE ACT - just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable. But the breaking of the glass also is a warning of the FRAILTY of a marriage. That sometimes a single thoughtless act, breech of trust, or infidelity can damage a marriage in ways that are very difficult to undo - just as it would be so difficult to undo the breaking of this glass. Knowing that this marriage is permanent, the bride and groom should strive to show each other the love and respect befitting their spouse and love of their life.
Children Services
Many couples are remarrying and want to include their children in
the ceremony. There are numerous ways this may be done.
Flower Ceremony
This is a family/friends ceremony. Each designated person comes up and places a different flower in a vase to create a garden of love.
Hands Ceremony
A recent favorite of many couples. A three to five minute ceremony in which the officiant uses the phrasing, "These are the hands that...." in order to create a preliminary set of vows (although this is often used in place of traditional vows).
Honoring the Mothers
A brief reading is done and then the bride and/or groom present their mother(s) with a small gift (flowers usually).
Silent Blessing and Moment of Remembrance
Both are small blessings/readings honoring the deceased. They may include specific names or a general statement.
Ribbon Ceremony/Handfasting
The ancient Celts tied the hands of the bride and groom. The officiant loosely binds the hands together. They remain that way for the rest of the ceremony
Rose Ceremony
A symbolic ceremony using roses, the symbol of love. The couples who have chosen this have described it as an extremely beautiful and moving ceremony.
Support from Families Service
Parents become part of the introduction to the vows. The officiant asks who brings this couple to be wed.
Wine or Water Ceremony
The couple share a cup of wine or water while the officiant says a blessing and a reading.
Jumping The Broom
There are many different versions of this ritual which involves the couple jumping over the broom. Essentially, the jumping of the broom is a symbol of sweeping away of the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of a new beginning.
Some Selected
You Might Like To Incorporate
In Your Wedding
1 Corinthians
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not
envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always
hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. So Faith, Hope and Love abide these
three; But the Greatest of these is Love!
Ecclesiastes
Two are better than one, because they have a
good return for their labor.
If one falls down, his companion can lift him
up. But pity the man who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him
up. Again, if two lie down together they will keep warm. But how can one be
warm alone? Though another may overpower one, two can defend themselves. And a
cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Mark
From the beginning of creation, God made them
male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and
be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Then they are no
longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man
separate.
Kahlil Gibran
You shall be together when the white wings of
death scatter your days.
And, you shall be together even in the silent
memory of God. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds
of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of
love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each
other's cup but drink not from on cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not
the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each other be
alone. Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same
music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For the hand of
Life can contain your hearts. And stand together yet not too near together; for
the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the oak tree and the cypress grow
not in each other's shadow.
Remember that love gives nothing but from
itself. Love possesses not, nor would it be possessed, for love is sufficient
unto love. And think not that you can direct the course of love. For love, if
it finds you worthy, will direct your course.
Apache Prayer
Now
you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you
feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other. Now there will be
no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two
persons, but there are three lives before you, His Life, Her life and Your life
together. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the
years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long
upon the earth
Respect
Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and
remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority
to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When
frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship - as they threaten
all relationships at one time or another - remember to focus on what is right
between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out
the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remembering
that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if
each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will
be marked by abundance and delight. 
and as a couple.
Ceremony Overview
Traditional Ceremony
The
Invocation and Address
The Declaration of Intent
Reading
The Exchanging of Vows &
Wedding Rings
Blessing of the Wedding Rings
Reading
The Unity Candle (Optional)
Reading
The Prayer
The Pronouncement of Marriage
The Kiss
The Benediction and Introduction
The Recessional
