Handfasting *
This is an ancient Celtic custom, especially common in Ireland and Scotland, in which a couple come together at the start of their marriage relationship. Their hands, or more accurately their wrists, were literally tied together. This practice gave way to the expression "tying the knot" which has come to mean getting married or engaged.
Jumping the Broom *
This practice is done as an act of remembrance and to honor the ancestors of the past. A broom, itself, represents cleanliness, the hearth and family. It can also represent fertility. The jumping of the broom is a leap of faith into marriage. A designated broom person (a very honored job, usually a woman) takes the broom and places it on the floor in front of the couple. You may ask the guests to count out loud and then hold hands and jump over it!
Blessing Stones*
Tossing the blessing stones at a beach wedding echoes the gesture of throwing rice. At some point during the wedding or reception, each guest tosses a stone into the water with a blessing, wish or prayer for the new couple. Couples can choose whether they wish the blessings to be silent or spoken aloud. The modern symbol of the casting of stone or blessing on the water has evolved. When a wish or blessing is made over a stone and cast into the water, the waves will wash the blessing back to the persons to be blessed. It is repeated over and over with the passing of each wave.
Many other options are available. Please ask and we will accommodate to the best of our ability.
*The ceremony options do not include the cord, stones, broom, sand, vases, etc. Please inquire if you are needing these items or if you have questions.
Colored Sand Unity for Couple *
Sand is used to symbolize the uniting of the couple. Their separate lives are identified by two vials of sand. After the exchange of rings, the couple comes together and pours into one container the two individual vials . This symbolizes the joining of the couple as they share their first experience of unity. This becomes a keepsake of their wedding, symbolizing their bond together.
Colored Sand Unity for Family *
This is the same concept as the one for just the couple, only we include the children, using different colors of sand. The couple begins, symbolizing the support of the family. Each child, starting with the youngest, then adds to the bottle. This shows that the older children will protect the younger ones. The couple then add to the top, showing they will protect all of the children.
Candle Unity *
The unity candle ceremony uses two taper candles with a large pillar candle between them. At the beginning of the ceremony, a representative from each family (usually the mother of the bride and groom) light the two tapers. After the exchange of the rings, the bride and groom use the tapers to light the pillar in the center.
Oathing Stone*
The Oathing Stone is an old Scottish tradition where the Bride and Groom place their hands upon a stone while saying their wedding vows. Called the oathing stone it was thought to be the best way to express your solemn promise in physical form. Taken from the ancient Celtic custom of setting an oath in stone, inclusion of an oathing stone in the vows can be deeply moving.