What is a Unity Ceremony and Do I Need One?
During your ceremony, it's traditional to have an outward, visible sign of the joining together of your hearts and souls. While it's not necessary at all to include a unity ceremony, it can be something your guests and you remember for many years to come.
In the past, this was usually accomplished by the lighting of a central pillar candle by two tapers held by the bride and groom. Wine ceremonies have a long history too, referencing Jesus turning water into wine for a couple who had run out of wine for their guests. Then came sand ceremonies, in which a couple would pour colored sand into a central container, forming layers. As more couples brought children into the marriage, the sand ceremony grew in popularity, as each child would also have a different colored sand that they too would pour into the central container. This way each child felt they were also joined in the family union being created.
Today there are so many different ways to symbolize the joining together of a couple. Many unity ceremonies are already created, such as unity crosses, boards with corded braids on them, coin boxes, and wine sets. Many are sold on Amazon or Etsy, and come with pre-scripted words to be read while you do whatever it is that's demonstrating the joining together. But what if you want something different? Something you might not see at all your friends' weddings?
That's where I come in. I take pleasure in helping my couples create something that has special meaning for them; something that speaks to who they are as a couple, what they love to do for fun, or perhaps their choice of venue. I once joined together a couple of runners, whose first date was to go for a run. For their unity ceremony, we tied together the shoelaces from the shoes each of them wore on their first run.
For another couple, it's all about the coffee. They first saw each other inside a coffee shop. Their first date was at that same coffee shop. Five years later, he makes her a latte every morning, while she gets ready. To honor that common theme in their relationship, we'll be creating a latte using coffee and cream being joined together into a central clear coffee mug that they'll both drink from.
Want to keep it simple for the blending of a family? Each member can bring a silk flower to the altar and place it into a vase. The finished bouquet can decorate your home and remind everyone of how each brings their own special fragrance and beauty to the family, and as a whole, create something special.
Ask yourself "Who are we as a couple?" and "What are the things that join us together"? Then contact me and let's create a unity ceremony that's special and all about you!
In the past, this was usually accomplished by the lighting of a central pillar candle by two tapers held by the bride and groom. Wine ceremonies have a long history too, referencing Jesus turning water into wine for a couple who had run out of wine for their guests. Then came sand ceremonies, in which a couple would pour colored sand into a central container, forming layers. As more couples brought children into the marriage, the sand ceremony grew in popularity, as each child would also have a different colored sand that they too would pour into the central container. This way each child felt they were also joined in the family union being created.
Today there are so many different ways to symbolize the joining together of a couple. Many unity ceremonies are already created, such as unity crosses, boards with corded braids on them, coin boxes, and wine sets. Many are sold on Amazon or Etsy, and come with pre-scripted words to be read while you do whatever it is that's demonstrating the joining together. But what if you want something different? Something you might not see at all your friends' weddings?
That's where I come in. I take pleasure in helping my couples create something that has special meaning for them; something that speaks to who they are as a couple, what they love to do for fun, or perhaps their choice of venue. I once joined together a couple of runners, whose first date was to go for a run. For their unity ceremony, we tied together the shoelaces from the shoes each of them wore on their first run.
For another couple, it's all about the coffee. They first saw each other inside a coffee shop. Their first date was at that same coffee shop. Five years later, he makes her a latte every morning, while she gets ready. To honor that common theme in their relationship, we'll be creating a latte using coffee and cream being joined together into a central clear coffee mug that they'll both drink from.
Want to keep it simple for the blending of a family? Each member can bring a silk flower to the altar and place it into a vase. The finished bouquet can decorate your home and remind everyone of how each brings their own special fragrance and beauty to the family, and as a whole, create something special.
Ask yourself "Who are we as a couple?" and "What are the things that join us together"? Then contact me and let's create a unity ceremony that's special and all about you!