Special Ceremony Additions

Wed by Wendy

Special Ceremony Additions to Consider:

When planning your wedding there are special little ceremonies that you can easily include to make your ceremony more memorable, or to include family and guests in the ceremony. These ceremonies provide special moments and mementos that can add to the happiness and joy of your special day!

Wish Upon A Shell Ceremony:
The Wish Upon A Shell Ceremony is for the bride and groom who wish to include their family and guests in the marriage ceremony. It is ideal for a beach or lake-side wedding. The guests are all given a shell (usually a small clam shell) which has the bride and groom's names and the date of the wedding written on them. During the ceremony, the family and guests are asked to step to the water's edge and make a wish for the future of the bride and groom. Then all of the guests toss their shells into the water. This is a fun and happy ceremony, and it makes the guests and family feel extra special to be included in the ceremony. Shells can be purchased in most craft stores, shell shops (which are all over Florida), or ordered on line. The information on the shells can be written in permanent marker (this is the most environmentally-friendly way), or can be imprinted onto clear, permanent address labels and affixed to the inside of the shell. Shell's are handed out to guests as they are seated, or put in a basket where they can pick them up during the Wish Upon A Shell Ceremony.

Honoring The Mothers:
A very touching and significant way to honor the two mothers at the wedding ceremony...

It is easy for your florist (whether silk or fresh flowers) to design two detachable floral sprays (or a two single loose flowers) into your bouquet. After your father walks you down the aisle and presents you to your groom, remove one of the special flowers from your bouquet. Hand it to him and give him a kiss. Let him know in advance that you will be doing this and tell him that as he takes his seat beside your mother, to present the flower to her on your behalf. Then at the end of the ceremony, as you and your groom begin to make your way back up the aisle as husband and wife, stop at the seat where your mother-in-law is seated. Remove the second special flower from your bouquet and present it to her, along with a kiss, before continuing up the aisle. Keep this special little ceremony a secret from the mothers as it is the element of surprise which helps to make these moments you create so very sweet and special. If you are carrying a casual or pre-made bouquet, it is easy to purchase two extra flowers and carry them with you, or tuck them into your bouquet. Also, instead of special flowers, a more lasting memento of this occasion is an embroidered, lacy handkerchief. You can carry one for each of the mothers and present them in the same way as the flowers above. You can also give one to each of the dads (sans the lace).

Unity Candle:
The Unity Candle is a traditional wedding ceremony that includes the lighting of two taper candles by a family member from each side (usually this is done by the mothers of the bride and groom, older children, or any special relative). The bride and groom then take the taper candles and light a larger, center candle (the Unity Candle) to symbolize the joining of their two families into one. Unity Candle sets can be purchased at wedding and card stores, or very reasonably priced on E-Bay.

Sand Ceremony:
The Sand Ceremony is much like the Unity Candle in that it symbolizes the joining of families and friends. A Sand Ceremony is ideal for beach weddings (where the bride and groom take sand from the beach where they stand for their marriage), for outdoor weddings, or for weddings involving children and step-children. In the case of wedding ceremonies involving children, each member receives a vase (or container) of sand in an individual color, and then the bride, groom and children all mix their sand into a larger container, symbolizing the blending of the family. This beautiful vase of colored sand remains a reminder and a memento for the family of this special day. Sand Ceremony containers are available as sets on E-bay, or you can even go to your local discount,craft or pottery store and look for smaller vases and a large vase to create your own Unity Sand Ceremony set. Colored sand can be purchased at most craft stores.

The Rose Ceremony:

The Rose Ceremony is simple, yet extremely moving and emotional.
(Warning... this ceremony will usually elicit tears from this officiant and most of the guests!)
During the ceremony, right before the pronouncement, the bride and groom exchange two red roses given to them by the officiant, symbolizing the giving and receiving of their love for each other throughout their entire married life. The Rose Ceremony passage explains how to use the rose and its symbolism in difficult times, or in times of strain on the relationship, in order to forgive each other. It also serves as a reminder of the love that you shared at the time of your wedding ceremony.

Any of these special ceremonies are available with the Standard Wedding and Full-Service Ceremony Packages, or they may be added (ala carte) to the Basic Wedding Ceremony. Please ask about them to determine how they will fit into your ceremony.

Other ceremonies to ask about: Candlelight Ceremony, Winc Ceremony, Water Ceremony, Honey Ceremony, Coin Exchange Ceremony, Glass Breaking Ceremony, Broom Jumping Ceremony, Ring Warming Ceremony.

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