Ceremony Alternatives

The following Ceremony Alternatives are optional extra’s that you may like to include in your Ceremony. It is up to the couple to purchase all items required for these Ceremonies

'Sand Ceremony'

This is a beautiful and meaningful addition to your vows that is symbolic of your new journey together as Husband and Wife. The sand ceremony is similar in meaning to the Unity Candle, both represent two individuals united to become one.

The Bride and Groom each chose a vase that contains sand of their favourite colour. The colours chosen represent their personalities and individuality, the meanings of colours are listed in the next paragraph.

As the sand is poured into the Unity Vase their personalities and lives combine to become one inseparable entity this is symbolic of the sand never being separated again.

The sand ceremony is also a great way of involving members of the family and particularly significant when the couple have children. As each individual’s sand is poured into the family’s one united common container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will become the bond with this family.

The Unity Vase can then be displayed in your home as a reminder of the love and life you share.

The Meanings of Sand Colours:

Red – Passion, Drive, Fertility, Energy, Spontaneity, Stimulating

Orange – Encouragement, Optimism, Flamboyant, Adventurous, Warm-hearted, Informal

Yellow – Charm, Confidence, Joyous, Balanced, Enthusiastic, Good- humoured

Green – Finances, Charity, Prosperity, Health, Family Orientated, Dependable

Blue – Tranquillity, Patience, Devotion, Sincerity, Loyalty, Integrity

Purple – Power, piety, Sanctity, Sentimentality, Fantasy, Future

Black – Strength, Wisdom, Vision, Success, Mysterious, Protector

White – Purity, Innocence, Concentration, Meditation, Peace, New beginnings

Grey – Neutrality, Dignified, Balanced, Professional, Mature, Impartial

Pink – Unconditional Love, Unity, Honour, Truth, Romance, Happiness

Brown – Down to Earth, Grounded,, Telepathy, Homely, Natural, Quietly Confident

Silver – Treasure, Moral Values, Creativity, Inspirational, Soothing, Reflection

Gold – Energy, Wealth, Intelligence, Longevity, Understanding, Self-worth

There are a variety of beautiful sets available such as this one.

'Candle Lighting Ceremony'

The simple act of lighting a candle or candles in memory of loved ones passed is a lovely way to remember those people on your wedding day. Beautiful words such as those below are spoken by me as you light the candle/s.

“Darcy and Wanda will now light these candles in loving memory of loved ones passed (names can be added) who could not be with us to share their special day, but their spiritual presence is felt by all who loved them. As they light these candle/s remember the loved ones who could not be with us today. See them sitting amongst us in their rightful places, beaming with pride, rejoicing for that which Darcy and Wanda have found in each other. Sharing in the love and joy that is this day, secure in the knowledge that they are all loved and remembered. For those we have loved and lost along the way a flame to remember them burns here today. For the laughter, smiles and memories remain. Together today their presence sustains. Never forgotten and loved forever more today their blessings flicker and soar”

There are a variety of beautiful sets available such as this one.

'Wine Ceremony'

A wine Ceremony symbolises not only the joining together of the couple but also the joining together of their families.

There are two 1 litre carafe’s and a central carafe. The parents/family member of the one party to the marriage bring forward a red wine and pour it into one of the 1 litre carafes. The parents/family member of the other party to the marriage bring forward a white wine and pour it into the other 1 litre carafe. The couple then pour the two wines into the 2 litre carafe, symbolizing the blending of two lives and two families into one.

The red wine is symbolic of happiness, joy, hope, love and delight. It also brings energy, strength, determination, passion and warmth.

The white wine is symbolic of purity, innocence, new beginnings, wholeness and completion. It also brings meditation, concentration, peace and sunshine.

The colour of the when blended together is Rose and the meaning of Rose is quite simply Love.

Beautiful words are spoken by me explaining the significance of what is taking place.

The couple then pour each other a glass of wine and as they cross arms and drink from the others glass. They do so with open hearts and willing spirits as they begin their journey as a married couple with the fullness of life’s best experiences given to them as a wish from their families. The remainder of the wine is then shared amongst their family and friends as they raise a toast in the couples name.

There are a variety of decorative carafes available such as this one .

'Stone Ceremony'

The Stone Ceremony usually uses highly polished stones, size up to you. The guests, bridal party family etc are presented with the stones. The guests may write a wish with their name on the opposite side on the stones with a felt pen. The stones are then collected and kept in a container as a memento.

To symbolize their marriage and your support, I would ask each person to write their name on one side of a rock that is on this table and on the other side write a wish or message for happy couple. They can take with them where ever they may go during their lives together. The wish maybe a single word such a loyalty, companionship, perseverance or a phrase such as “Living is loving and loving is living, one cannot live without the other”

This couple will write both their names upon one stone when they are at the signing table. This stone will at the conclusion of this ceremony be carried to the end of the aisle and placed in the basket on the table. Once you have written on your stone please place your stone into the basket and much like a wishing well all the stones will lie together around this couple’s stone.

Some individual stones are available such as this one .

'Ring Warming Ceremony'

Around the world the wedding rings are the strongest and most visible sign of the bond two people make. A commitment to life, to each other and to the future. With a ring warming in your ceremony the rings will not only be a gift from one to another but will be given with the love, support and wisdom of all present.

The rings are tied to a pillow or can be on anything you would like. A nominated person then presents those rings to each guest for them to place their hand above the rings silently sending their best wishes, love and blessings. As this is being done I will be speaking beautiful meaningful words that explain the process and the meaning behind it. When the rings come back to me they not only contain the precious metals that they are made of but more importantly the love, support, best wishes and blessings of your family and friends to carry with you throughout your married life.

Some like to use decorative jewellery pouches to keep their rings safe and hand to a loved one, such as this.

'Bell Ringing Ceremony'

The custom of the “Bell Ringer” or “Bell Ringers” is a lovely one. Children or young adults are asked to walk the wedding aisle in front of the wedding party. The “Bell ringer” or “Bell Ringers” walk the length of the aisle ringing their respective bells announcing the arrival of the wedding processional.

In some wedding ceremonies the guest are also given small bells to ring along with the “Bell Ringer” or “Bell Ringers”. The smaller bells that the wedding guest hold throughout the wedding ceremony are again rung as the couple kiss and then walk down the aisle. These bells are then collected or taken by the guests to the reception where they are again rung to invite the bride and groom to kiss throughout the wedding reception.

Here is an example of a beautiful brass wedding bell.

'Hand Fasting Ceremony'

Have you ever wondered where the words “tying the knot” come from? The expression “tying the knot” refers to the traditional Celtic marriage ritual of Hand Fasting.

Hand Fasting is an ancient Celtic word for Wedding, and was recognised as a binding contract of marriage between a man and a woman before weddings became a legal function of the Government or a Papal responsibility of the Church. After the wedding vows and the ring exchange, the couple’s hands were bound together by cords or ribbons in a figure eight, signifying the joining of their lives in a sacred union for infinity. Today, Hand Fasting is a symbolic ceremony to honour the couple’s desire for commitment to each other, and to acknowledge that their lives and their destinies are now bound together.

'Blessing of the Hands'

Hands on top of each other, palms touching

Celebrant – “These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love that are holding yours on your wedding Day, as you promise to love each other, all the days of your life. These are the hands that will love you passionately through the years, for a lifetime of happiness, and will continue to do so. These are the hands that have countless times wiped the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy, and will continue to do so. These are the hands that have comforted you in illness, and have held you when fear or grief wreck your mind, and will continue to do so. These are the hands that have tenderly lifted your chin and brushed your cheek, letting your eyes see the complete and overwhelming love and desire they have for you, and will continue to do so. May these hands that we see today be blessed. May they always be held by one another. May they have the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. May they remain tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. May these hands continue building a relationship founded on love, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching perfection. May this couple see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide.

'Love Locks Ceremony'

This Ceremony involves the couple locking two padlocks together during the Ceremony.

The keys to the locks are then tied to bio degradable helium balloons and the balloons with rings attached are then released into the heavens for no man or woman to ever find again, that is how much they believe in their love for one another. Beautiful words are spoken by me explaining what is happening and the symbolic meaning of the ceremony.

Here is an example of a decorative love lock set.

'Love Letters and Wine Box Ceremony'

This is one to treasure, a meaningful way to add a personal touch to your Ceremony; it’s a bit like an Elegant Time Capsule.

There are a number of ways to do this. The general idea is that the couple write a love letter to each other about a week before their Wedding date. Suggested things to put in the letter could be why you love your intended, what attracts you to them, your dreams for your future together, things you can only say to your one true love, pet name, little things they do that you appreciate even things that annoy you.

Each letter is then sealed in an envelope (it is not read). The box with the wine and glasses is placed on a table at your ceremony and the letters sit beside it. At the ceremony the couple place their letters in the box and seal the box either by key or hammer and nail. I will be explaining the ceremony as it goes along with magical words to remember. The couple chose a date to open the box in the future, for example a Wedding Anniversary of your choice, birth of their first child etc.

On that date they open the box share the wine and read the letters written for them, thus rekindling and strengthening their relationship. Some couples decide during the first 5 years of their Marriage, if the marriage is running into trouble and it looks as if they may separate they are to open the box at this point, share the wine and open the letters to remind them of the love they shared and the promises they made to each other on their Wedding Day. Another nice touch is to once you open the box for the first time you can then add a new bottle of wine and a new letter and seal it again. This is not only a lovely way to share your feelings with each other and it is a history of your lives, your love and your hearts. This can be passed on to your children and will become a priceless and treasured possession that they will treasure.

Here is a beautiful wedding style box that can be used for the ceremony.

'Presentation of Family Medallions'

The family medallion was created as a gift to your child/children. The medallion has three equally merging circles, two circles represent the marriage union while the third symbolizes the importance of the child/children within the family. These can be purchased off the net and come with a certificate for the children to sign. A meaningful script is written by me explaining the ceremony as it unfolds.

'Dove Release'

Usually ends a Wedding Ceremony where the couple each release a white dove as a symbol of love, peace and hope. Words are spoken by me about how dove’s pair for life, and like a married couple, the doves are not obliged to be by each other’s side for every hour of every day. In the evening, however, whether their day’s journey has been together or apart, both doves return to the same home for the night.

As the doves fly they will carry the wishes for peace, love and hope for your future life together. Wording is always created to suit the couple.

Doves are available for hire in Townsville from Townsville Dove Release –https://www.townsvilledoverelease.com.au/

'Last Kiss'

The Ceremony is tear jerking and best kept as a surprise for the day. I simply ask the mothers of the couple to please come forward to give their children their last kiss before they share their first kiss as a married couple. As Mothers they were the first ones to give you your first kiss when you first entered this word and the honour of the last kiss is bestowed upon them as Mothers. This can be done with Mothers and Fathers if you chose.

'Dedication to Parents'

This is a touching acknowledgement to your parents thanking them for all they have done for you through your lives. The wording will be created to meet individual families.

'Last Handshake'

I ask the father of the groom ask to please step forward and give their son his last handshake as a single man.

'Reading for Children'

Will be created to suit your family. The following is nice and easy for children to understand.

'Jumping of the Broom'

They say whom ever jumps the broom the highest will be in charge of the relationship!

“Family and friends today Sam and Chris have chosen to end their Ceremony today with the Jumping of the Broom Ceremony. They will begin their married life with a clean sweep. Sam will now sweep away all the negatives from the past. Chris will then sweep a new path to their future.

They ask that you please pair up behind the Bridal party so as you can be a part of this Ceremony indicating your support for this union. Starting a new life together with another person does require a “leap of faith’ and by taking the leap, they are indicating that they will work together through all that life’s ups and downs. Love recognizes no barriers, it jumps hurdles, it leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. As Sam and Chris jump, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of their life together as a married couple. Some say that whoever jumps the highest will be the boss of the house. Everyone please count with me 1 – 2 – 3!! And the jumping begins.

'Unity Boquet'

The Mothers or Parents of the couple enter just before the Bridal Procession (or they may come up just before you are introduced as a married couple. Each Mother or Parent carries a bouquet of flowers, which they place into two separate vases that are on a table for all to see then they take their seats.

The two separate vases of flowers represent the life of their family member who is going to be married. The Celebrant let’s everyone know that the flowers represent how the couple have blossomed and grown up until this point in their life.

The couple are then asked by the Celebrant to place their flowers together into one larger vase, creating a very special “unity bouquet” explaining that although each bouquet and each life were beautiful alone, they are even more beautiful together.

(The choices of flowers selected can have a dramatic effect on what the bouquet will look like and each flower has a meaning so think carefully about what flowers are chosen and get your Celebrant to provide you with the meaning of different flowers so as the wording for this ceremony can be created to suit the two of you).

Jenny Stevens

Marriage Celebrant Townsville