Symbolic Actions

There are many types of symbolic gestures that can be added to your ceremony to make it is more your own.  You can use time-honoured and cultural ceremonies such as lighting a candle, jumping the broom, or you can create something that reflects just who you are perhaps, a coffee bean blend ceremony, where you create a blend unique to you, or maybe you want a Honeyfund collection, allowing your guests to contribute to your honeymoon. Here are a few to give you an idea but I am happy to talk over any ideas and as long as they are safe, legal and have the approval of the venue or the weather!  The only additional charge involved in this is the purchasing of the items, which you may choose to source yourself.  Whatever it is we can talk about it.

Sand ceremony 

A very visual ceremony that can be used for great effect in blended families. Each person taking part in the ceremony has a phial of coloured sand. Participants then pour the sand into a keepsake receptacle showing how the couple/group is now combined, each retaining their own uniqueness but now inextricably intertwined in a unique pattern.

 ​First Kiss Last Kiss

Just thinking about this one makes me tear up.  This is a moment for the mothers of the couple who gave them their first kiss as a baby to give them their last kiss before they leave the family unit to form a new family.  The mothers are then rewarded with a small token such as a rose. Pass me the tissues - quick!

Handfasting 

This ceremony is based on an old Celtic/Pagan tradition where couples would bind their hands together and pledge their love for a year and a day, literally tying the knot! If they were still together at the end of that time they were considered married, or if they could walk away with no fault on either side.  They are many ways to do this beautiful ceremony, it involves a minimum of two individuals but can be used to include other family and friends who can add a ribbon and their blessings. It can be done with cords or with ribbons.  It can be a simple knot or an infinity knot, or a big mess! – so many variations!

 ​Unity Candle ceremony

I like to do this at the beginning of a ceremony to “open” it.  Two nominated adults will light the individual candles of the two to be wed, this might be friends or family.  The couple will then combine their two individual and unique lights into one burning flame.  This keepsake candle can then be lit on all anniversaries to come as a reminder of the love they promised to each other on their wedding day.

​Wish Tree

This can be done with a real tree or a symbolic tree.  The family are asked to write their wishes, hopes and blessings on tags that can then be tied to the tree.  Dependant on the size of the group this could extend to the whole wedding party and the couple are left with a special keepsake. 

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