Weddings With a Difference
The love you share together is unique onto itself,
so perhaps you might wish to create a ceremony that
gives voice to your unique expression of life? Have you thought about taking yourself back in time when Gods and Goddesses guided the mystical path of the people? Perhaps you are close to the earth and would like to incorporate the ritual gifts of native chants and dr
umming. Or maybe, in your ceremonial commitment, you strongly feel your lineage and wish to create the entire event honoring your ancestral heritage. If you would rather choose a more traditional style of ceremony, here are some optional rituals designed to include special family members or your guests:
For the Bride and Groom:
Commemorative candle honoring those who are not physically in attendance but are spiritually present. Commitment vows are a heartfelt expression between the bride and groom
Exchange of the Roses — symbolizes both the spiritual and material aspects of marriage. Hand Fasting — a Celtic tradition that savors the blessing found in the power of three. For mothers, the bride and groom and the children in second marriage ceremonies:
A Unity Candle/Sand Ceremony — the lighting of which symbolizes a new energy, a new love and a new commitment in our world. For your families and all your guests:
A Blessing Stone — a painted stone passed amongst your guests for all to embrace and give of their blessing. Religious
When couples come to me during our pre-wedding interview, one of the questions I ask them is: “do you wish your spiritual or religious beliefs to be reflected in your ceremony?” most often the answer I get, (and one of the main reason I was chosen as their marriage officiate in the first place) “we are not religious, so no!” Then I ask: “what do you mean when you use the word religious?” they respond: “we don’t go to church or practice any kind of religion.”
I then point out that if they sense or believe that there is some greater power or intelligence or “something” going on, but they just don’t have a name or engage in any organization or practice around this belief, they are experiencing their spiritual nature, as we are all born spiritual beings. Meaning that inherent within us is the full compliment of mystery, infinite possibility, the joy, power, love and creative intelligence and capacity of the divine cause back of all creation. Without naming or defining “it”, as our beliefs are personal and unique to each one of us, I end up reflecting “that something, that mystery, which indeed played a part of them being together and will continue to be a part of the evolution of their curiosity, love and acceptance for self, family, community and their own inner journey. And what this feels like through the words in the ceremony is a gentle sacredness of love and life, the potential of its unfoldment, holding open a space for eminent change and the ability to adapt to it – and all the while being eternally connected to life’s possibility and magnificence. Ceremonies are carefully crafted to represent who you are in all ways. It is about you as the love you are, your expression of this love, your commitment to self and another if this is the case, and your journey into openness, connection, and creation of something greater than you have experienced and known before.
