We see clients that want to make their ceremony completely unique while others prefer to go with the traditional vows we’re all familiar with. Most couples today choose to incorporate personal elements into their wedding ceremony that makes it specific to them while still maintaining a lot of the traditional verbiage. We’ve assembled some elements you may want to consider adding in to your ceremony. Some you may have heard of, while others may be new to you.

Alternatives to Sand Ceremony

If you like the idea of a sand ceremony, consider using different materials instead of sand. If you are foodies, you could use two different spices or if you both love coffee, try blending two different types. Both of these ideas could then be carried over to become the favors you provide to your guests.

Texas-based Unity Glass allows you to mix glass crystals during the ceremony which you then send back to them to create unique pieces of glass for your home.

Unity Cocktail

Most people are familiar with the unity candle and sand ceremonies to represent the uniting of the bride and groom. A newer trend is having the couple mix a cocktail to symbolize the merging of their lives during the ceremony. The ideal cocktail combines elements to represent the different elements that combine together to create the harmony and balance in the cocktail and ultimately the marriage.

Tip: The unity cocktail used in the ceremony can then be served to guests as the signature cocktail at the reception.

Box Ceremony

Prior to the ceremony, each person writes a love letter to their future spouse and seals it in an envelope. During the ceremony the two envelopes, the couple’s favorite bottle of wine, and a single wine glass are placed in a box and the couple nails the box shut. Ideally, the box will be opened on the couple’s 5 year anniversary. It can also be used in an “emergency” situation if the couple is facing some bumps in their marriage. The box can be opened early to allow the couple to remember why they each fell in love with one another.

If you don’t like wine, consider using a good bottle of whiskey or your spirit of choice.

Passing or Warming of the Rings

The wedding bands are passed through the hands of all of your guests. They are encouraged to pass all of their joy, best wishes, love and hope into their hands. The rings are then returned to the bride and groom to be exchanged during the ceremony.

This is great for a small, intimate wedding or one in which you want your guests to have an active role in the ceremony.

Guest Bouquet

Provide each guest with a flower as they enter the ceremony location. As the bride walks down the aisle she collects a flower from each guest to assemble her bridal bouquet. The bride receives her final flower from the groom at the end of the aisle.

You could even ask each guest to bring a flower with them as a gift for the ceremony.

Handfasting Ceremony

This Celtic tradition involves the couple having their hands tied together to symbolize the joining together in marriage. Many believe this is where the term “tying the knot” originated. The handfasting ritual takes place during the ceremony, before the couple exchanges rings.

You can use specific colors to represent different elements of a marriage or you can choose monochromatic ribbons to match the colors of your wedding.

Unique Readings

Couples can also select readings for the ceremony that reflect their personalities and bring some fun or excitement to the ceremony. Couples can use anything from the lyrics of their favorite love song to the musings of the beloved Dr. Seuss. You can also incorporate quotes from your favorite movies or books to add a little something that is representative of you and your interests.

We’re all a little weird and life’s a little weird. And when we find someone who’s weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.

~ Dr. Seuss

If you are in need of an officiant for your ceremony, contact us and we can actually help you prepare the vows and eventually officiate the wedding ceremony for you.