Sand Ceremony

A sand ceremony expresses the coming together of two people, two families joining as one or welcoming a new baby.

As the grains of sand are poured into the unity vase by the couple, their children, parents of the child, siblings or family members, it symbolizes that just as these grains of sand can now never be separated and poured again in the same way nor can the love and commitment of the couple or family.

Wish Tree

The Wish Tree is originally a Dutch wedding custom but can also be used at Naming Ceremonies, Commitment ceremonies and Vow renewals too.​

At the end of your ceremony ask your guests to write their wishes, dreams and hopes for you or your child onto pretty cards and hang them from a ‘wishing tree’.​ Your wishing tree can be either a real tree outside on a sunny day or inside on curvy branches of willow arranged into a weighted vase.​

After the ceremony save each card into a special keepsake box of memories to look back on in years come.

Jumping the Broom

Take the leap into your new life together, leaving behind the old certainties and trusting in your love and your future together; loved ones cheering you on!

Ring Warming

Incorporating a ring warming into your wedding, commitment ceremony or vow renewal is such a beautiful way to actively include your family and friends in your ceremony.

Before you exchange your vows and rings, the rings are passed to each guest. They take a moment to ‘warm’ the rings with their wishes, a blessing or a prayer to carry you into a bright and happy marriage.

Every time you look at your rings you will feel full of love and blessings from everybody who shared your special day with you.

Unity Candle

These can be used in all different types of ceremony whether it be your wedding, naming, vow renewal or commitment ceremony, and they can be used in a variety of ways. Just one example of how this works is – the couple, grandparents or godparents light a small candle each, which represent each of them. They then use the flame from their candles to light a larger (unity) candle. The unity candle symbolises the joining together of the couple or family, with the flame shining big and bright, symbolising the joining together of their lives.

Handfasting or Tying the Knot

Handtying is one ritual taken from a Handfasting Ceremony.

Handfasting Ceremony is a full ritual, involving spirituality and the associated rituals.

A Handtying as the act of tying the hands. A standalone ritual with or without spirituality. It is the act of tying or wrapping the hands in a union of love. A couple may choose to include a Handtying within their traditional English wedding ceremony, using cords and ribbons and making vows and pledges to one another. The ribbons or braids are placed on their joined hands and then bound around to symbolize a union.

Time Capsule or Memory Box

During the ceremony, each member of the family can place an item in the capsule or memory box, something meaningful to them. Alternatively, each family member can write a note about their hopes and dreams for the future, or about what it means to be a member of the family. These can be opened on a date agreed by the family such as their 18^th birthday.

Wine Ceremony

The bride and groom will take their respective wines and poor them into a single glass they will both drink out of. It is common for the bride and groom to toast three times. Once to their past, once to their present and once more to their future.

It is usual to have one white wine and one red. It’s supposed to show the mixing of two different lives into one new life. However, if you both love red then you can definitely have two reds or two whites for that matter. You don’t even have to use wine.  Some couples will choose to blend gins, whiskeys or even mix their own cocktail!

Planting a Tree

Trees can be planted to celebrate births, marriages, anniversaries and just about anything else you would like a living memory of. They are often planted in a pot or a garden to symbolise a new life or the growth a healthy marriage.

During the ceremony, soil from two separate pots are tipped on top of the plant -this can be from their parents homes or special location.

Almost every tree has a certain cultural or spiritual significance, so choosing one takes a bit of thought. It can be wonderful to know that a cherished symbol of your special day will continue to grow, strengthen and bring happiness to others.

Stone Ceremony

In past centuries couples could not always afford wedding rings. So, to confirm their vows, instead of rings being given and received, the bride and groom cast a stone into a nearby river or ocean. This symbolised their remaining together forever.

Don’t worry if there isn’t a lake or river close by, you can cast the stones into a water filled vase.​ Later the stones can be taken on honeymoon or taken to a special river, lake or sea for the couple to cast their stones into the water.

Version 2: You can ask your guests to choose from a box of pebbles and make a wish or personalise it with a meaningful word. These are then collected at the end of the ceremony for you to keep in a jar or vase.

Wedding Love Locks

A love lock is a padlock, usually etched with your names and ceremony date. Later this is often attached to a structure to symbolise their love. You then throw the key away, ensuring that your love will be unbreakable.

However, some bridges have been made unsafe with the extra weight so you may choose the love lock ritual instead. This involves two padlocks which are locked together while the celebrant explains what the ritual means to you. The keys are then disposed of in some way.

Releasing Doves

The dove is considered a symbol of peace, hope, and freedom. Two pure white doves represent the couple as they begin their life’s journey together or to mark the start of a new chapter in a couple’s life.

At a funeral, it can help to symbolise the “letting go” of a loved one and many families say the dove release helps them begin the grieving process.

Blowing Bubbles

Bubbles are a great alternative to confetti or balloons as they are fun and environmentally friendly. This is a great way to get your guests involved at the end of you ceremony with a mass bubble blowing!

Fingerprint Tree

Get your family and guide parents to put their fingerprints on a printed tree to resemble leaves OR build a bigger tree by inviting all your guests to take part!