Chloe Cairns The Celebrant
Symbolic Acts
Including a symbolic act during your marriage ceremony is a wonderful way to visualise your union. It is also a way in which you can include members of your family or friends. There are lots out there and some of my couples are always coming up with new and wonderful ones, but these are the most popular ones.
* You can also use a sentimental piece of clothing or material for eg. a swatch of someone special's wedding dress or a tie.
Hand Fasting
'Tying the knot'
Hand fasting is a Celtic ritual in which the hands are bound together symbolising that your lives will be intertwined as one, I say some lovely words and when the binding is finished you bring your hands apart while holding the ribbons and a knot ties. I think it is particularly nice to have music in the background while the ribbons are wrapped. I can wrap the ribbons or you can ask parents/children/siblings or others to come forward and I can guide them on how to do so. By doing this, it also symbolises their support for your union too. When it comes to the ribbons, I am happy to provide them given that you are happy with seasonal colours or if you would like to use a plaited ribbon or particular colours to symbolise different things, it is best you provide them in this instance.
Unity Candle
This is a subtle nod to tradition, two single taper candles are lit at the beginning of the ceremony and they are then used by you both together after you've said your vows to light your centre unity candle. The first two candles are symbolism of your lives before each other, and both must come together to create this new spark when they light the unity candle symbolising that your lives are now joined.
This is a nice way to include family members too, sometimes Mums or Dad's or Grannies or other will light the first two candles as it then symbolises the joining of your two families too. It can be nice to have a small amount of music here, it doesn't take long but it is beautiful. (NB and subtle disclaimer! Candles are very mischievous outside so please do not worry if they blow out after they light, this is not bad juju, just NI!!)
*This can also double up as a memory candle and we can light a candle in memory of a very close loved one.
Warming of the Rings
This isn't an act as such by the couple but it is where your wedding rings are passed around throughout your wedding ceremony and each guest makes a silent wish for you. Personally, I also thinks this shows their support for your marriage! That is the joy with symbolic acts, they can mean something different to everyone. The whole idea is that when they make their way around, they are then ready to be placed on your finger and they hold something which is more precious than their metal and that is the love and support of all the wonderful people you have there to witness your marriage.
This is just a small selection of the vast amount of symbolic acts that we could include on your day. If you have a suggestion or an idea of something you would like to incorporate, please do say and I can find a way to include it in your ceremony.