Information
Please see the sections below to learn more about the marriage process:
- Wedding License Information
- Traditional Gestures
- Videos and Audios – Ceremony Samples
Media & Interviews
Enjoy some videos of our past Interviews
Symbolic Gestures
Sand Ceremony – The couple each pours their sand into a central container. To symbolize the importance of the individuals within the marriage and the joining of two lives into one entity, the colors of sand are layered into a vase. This symbolizes that the marriage is based on the strength of the individuals. The colors combined symbolizing two lives joined as one together forever. Children can be included in the ceremony by giving them their own colored sand to pour in the central container.
Handfasting – a traditional Celtic wedding ceremony , used in Middle to Early Modern England for the contract of a marriage where each wedding guest has tied a ribbon around the clasped hands of the couple. Later known as tying the knot. There are numerous variations of this each one is unique and holds mystic and beauty.
Unity Candle – The wedding couple each take a lit candle and simultaneously light a third larger “unity candle.” symbolizing that they have not lost their individuality in their unity. The lighting of the Unity Candle symbolizes the new union of a two souls, two individuals who are becoming one through marriage.
Jumping the Broom – Couples jumped a broom as a way of ceremonially uniting. This tradition is used to honor the family ancestors. Today it represents great joy and at the same time serves as a reminder of the past. As the wedding couple jump the broom, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new; the sweeping away all negative energy, making way for all things that are good to come into your lives.
The Rose Exchange – is a wonderful way to honor parents, special friends or family members either living or in spirit. There are numerous variations that can be used. The spiritual roots of The Marriage Vessel and the Rose grow out of an understanding of God as creator and sustainer of life. The Bride and Groom exchange roses as the first gift to one another to show their love and commitment to each other. This tradition continues throughout the marriage, by placing an additional rose in the vessel on each anniversary, couples can establish their own unique renewal celebration.
Symbolic Gestures or Traditions
Making the wedding ceremony truly your own.
Over the years, the wedding ceremony has become enriched through the use of various symbolic gestures or the observance of various traditions. Here are some of the more popular, but there are many, many more. Choose from among these if you like, or help us learn more about your family’s traditions – or even start a new one!
The history of the sand ceremony is largely attributed to the Hawaiians, who have integrated the practice into their marriage ceremonies for years. Many Hawaiian weddings are held by the beach shores, and the practice of scooping sand from the ground and combining it into one container has long symbolized a couple’s union.
Sand is often used to represent the passing of time and the journey of life. The Hawaiians, therefore, thought it fitting to use sand to symbolize the joining of two lives together, because once the sand is poured together it can never be separated – the sand becomes one – as in marriage.
The lighting of a unity candle is a relatively recent addition to the traditional wedding ceremony, most popular in the United States. The unity candle ceremony uses two taper candles with a large pillar candle (called the “unity candle”) in the center. At the beginning of the wedding ceremony, a representative from each family (usually the mothers of the bride and groom) light the two taper candles. Later in the ceremony (usually after the formal vows), the bride and groom use the two taper candles to light the large pillar (unity) candle together.
The Rose Ceremony is simple yet moving. The couple exchanges two roses, symbolizing the giving and receiving of their love for each other throughout their entire married life. The Rose Ceremony also conveys how to use the rose and its symbolism in difficult times in order to forgive each other.
The Officiant can hand the roses to the couple, or the Officiant can invite the couple’s parents or honor attendants up to hand them their roses.
This tradition most likely originated with an African ritual in which a broom is used to demonstrate that all past problems have been swept away. During slave days, African-Americans were forbidden to marry and live together, so jumping over a broom was a formal and public declaration of the couple’s commitment.
Today, it has become very popular for couples to follow suit at the conclusion of their wedding ceremony. The broom, often handmade and beautifully decorated, can be displayed in the couple’s home after the wedding.
This particular tradition shows up in many cultures. It was used in Scotland in ancient times, and shows up in some African tribes as well. In this tradition, the bride and groom have their wrists tied together with cloth or braided grass to represent their marriage.
In the African version, to symbolize unity, the officiant or a close friend ties the couple’s wrists together with a piece of kente cloth or a strand of cowrie shells (symbols of fertility and prosperity), while they affirm their commitment.
In a ritual adapted from a Yoruba tradition, the bride and groom taste four flavors that represent different emotions within a relationship. The four flavors typically used are sour (lemon), bitter (vinegar), hot (cayenne), and sweet (honey). By tasting each of the flavors, the couple symbolically demonstrates that they will be able to get through the hard times in life, and, in the end, enjoy the sweetness of marriage.
Wedding Ceremony Video Samples
A wedding ceremony is as individual as you are. So as you listen to these samples I want you to think of them as Ice Cream flavors.
As you taste each one you will decide on the ingredients for your perfect Sunday.
There are no rules, only preferred customs or honored traditions, which and be blended and incorporated into a new modern ceremony.
The following video samples are simply to give you an idea of what you might like to hear on your special day. And be gentle these are home made and you most likely will not see them on Channel 12 LOL !
Have Fun ! Building a wedding ceremony should be as unique as you are ! Do not be afraid to mix and match or to just simply choose a particular style.