Our collection of wedding ceremony ideas inspires you to create a ceremony that's rich with symbolism and tradition.
The inclusion of children from a previous marriage in the wedding ceremony is an important event in celebrating the new family. Here is a sample ceremony that can be formatted to fit your individual situation. Officiant: As we give thanks [to God] for the love which brings [name] and [name] together, so too, we recognize the merging of…
In the Filipino wedding tradition the Cord and Veil ceremony is done at the end of the wedding after the couple has been pronounced husband and wife. The officiant reads as the veil sponsors, usually a male and female from each side of the family, place the white veil over the shoulders of the kneeling couple. The veil symbolizes living…
Read more about The Cord and Veil Ceremony, Filipino Wedding Traditions
With its historic origins in Spain, the wedding lasso is a rope, cord or double rosary in the form of a figure 8, the infinity symbol which is placed over the heads of the wedding couple after they have exchanged their vows at the end of the ceremony. This is done either by the officiant or friends or family members designated as sponsors.…
Legend has it that the sand ceremony began in Hawaii when couples would stand barefoot on the beach. At the right moment in the ceremony they would reach down and take a handful of sand from beneath their feet and pour it into a single container symbolizing their oneness. Here is a sample sand ceremony that uses three vases and can be…
A week or two before a couple is married, the future husband's parents make a Wedding Vase . When the vase has been made, the husband, along with his parents and relatives, go to the bride's house. The bride brings out everything she will need to establish the couple's new home together: clothing, utensils, mattress, moccasins, corn and any…
American Indians have a rich history of… read more
In traditional Celtic handfasting the ribbons that bind the couple's wrists are made up of thirteen different colors, each with its own special meaning. Here is a list of each color and its meaning, provided by the Reverend David James of Mt. Kisco, NY. Red: passion, strength, lust, fertility Orange: encouragement, attraction, kindness,…
If you've lost a parent beloved grandparent, or friend, a brief memorial of them at your wedding is a fitting way to acknowledge their presence with you spiritually, and in your hearts. In the ceremony you can honor one or two specific people, or you can ask your officiant to structure part of the ceremony to include a general acknowledgment…
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and a Sixpence in her shoe. This good luck saying dates back to Victorian times and many brides try to arrange their wedding attire accordingly. This represents the link with the bride's family and the past. On their wedding day many brides choose to wear a piece of…
The Tea Ceremony is an ancient Chinese wedding tradition believed by some to be witnessed by the couple's ancestors as the wedding couple shows respect to their parents and families. Tea is used because it is universally available and is China's national drink. There are many variations of the Wedding Tea Ceremony, from elaborate ceremonies…
Sharing wine from a Unity or Kiddush Cup during your ceremony symbolizes unity, companionship and the sharing of one life. In the Jewish tradition the couple drinks from a Kiddush cup, while the unity cup is an appropriate celebration for couples of any denomination or belief. The cup can be as simple as a piece of inexpensive stemware, or…
Since the 15th century it has been common for… read more
W.C. Field's advice not with-standing "Never work with pets or children", many people want their pets to participate in their weddings. After all, they are part of the family and should be included. To help make pet participation more charming, following these 5 simple guidelines will help avoid chaos and catastrophe. Know your pet. Is…