There are symbolic rituals that you may consider as part of your ceremony. Here are some suggestions. We can discuss how these or other ideas that you have can be incorporated.

Unity Candle

This ceremony consists of the lighting of two candles, one by the bride and one by groom or members of the two families (often the mothers of the bride and groom). After the vows, the bride and groom light the unity candle with these two, lit candles. This symbolizes the merging of two individuals into one family.

Sand Ceremony

This is another way to mark the joining of your two lives, two families and your friends. Two containers of sand are poured into a third empty 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 your marriage be.

Memorial Candle

Lighting a memorial candle prior to the ceremony can be a way to honour the memory of a deceased loved one.

Rose Ceremony

Following the vows, the bride and groom exchange red roses, their first gift of love in their married life.

Hands of the Bride and Groom

The bride and groom face one another, palms up so that each may see the gift that hands represent. I then read a passage that speaks of loving and supporting hands.

For Couples with Children

I take great delight in helping couples involve their child or children in the ceremony. I have many suggestions for meaningful ways to include them.

Breaking the Glass

A glass wrapped in cloth is stepped on a by the groom at the end of the ceremony. Traditionally this represents both the permanence and frailty of marriage.