Unity Candle Lighting Ceremony Examples



#11 Unity Element Examples – Couple and New Family

These are examples of the different unity elements. You may wish to choose one to use during your ceremony. (If you use The Rose Presentation it would follow the unity element.) There are examples for the new unity of the Couple and also for Couples who have children that are being combined into their new family. Many of the Unity Elements show how they would be used as a part of a Religious or a Contemporary Ceremony.

Table of Contents

Page # Contents

1. Table of Contents

Example of Unity of the Groom and Bride’s Family

2. The Rose Presentation

Examples of Unity of the Groom and Bride

3. Candle Lighting Ceremony – Instructions

4. Candle Lighting Ceremony – Religious

5. Candle Lighting Ceremony – Contemporary

6. Cup Ceremony Blended Wine / Blended Lives -Version 1

7. Cup Ceremony Blended Wine / Blended Lives -Version 2

8. Cup – Celebration

9. Cup – Wine, Bitter and Sweet, as is Life

10. Heart – An Artistic Creation

11. Sand Ceremony – Explanation and Instructions

12. Sand Ceremony – Religious – Two Colors of Sand

13. Sand Ceremony – Religious – Three Colors of Sand

14. Sand Ceremony - Contemporary

15. Hand Fasting – Tying the Knot

16. Blended Candle (Wax) Beads - With Added Wick Becomes a Candle

Examples of Family Unity Elements

17. Candle Lighting – New Family – Ceremony and Diagram

18. Cup – New Family – With Blessed Water

19. Flower Presentation – New Family

20. Hand Fasting – Tying the Knot – New Family (Includes children wrapping)

21. Sand Ceremony – New Family

22. Sand Ceremony – New Family - Shorter Version

23. Promises – New Family – To Older Children

24. Promises – New Family – To Younger Children

Other Unity Ideas:

25. Unity Heart - An Artistic Creation

26. Anniversary Box

The Rose Presentation is a symbol of unity of the Groom and Bride’s Family:

The bride and groom walk together, first to present a single rose to the bride’s mother, and then with another rose, to the groom’s mother. Often, hugs and kisses are shared. This symbolizes that their two families are now joined with love.

The rose color may be red (for love), or colors you know your mothers like, or the color(s) you have chosen for your wedding color(s).

Wording

Groom and Bride will present a rose together to each other’s mothers. This is to symbolize that their two families are now joined as one in love.

Or: If you are using the Rose Presentation immediately after any Unity Element it may be explained as follows: (Also see “Flower Presentations”)

(First the Unity Element you have decided upon will be explained and then the officiant will say:)

Wording

Following the unity element Groom and Bride will present a rose together to each other’s mothers. This is to symbolize that their two families are now joined as one in love.

(If you are having music, it would begin as the Groom and Bride do the unity element and present the roses)

Unity Candle Lighting - Instructions

You would obtain two taper candles and a unity candle. It is also a good idea to have a small votive candle in a small container - located behind the other candles - to dip the taper candles into to light them - instead of having to use matches or lighters of other sorts.

As a prelude to your ceremony your mothers or a representative from each of your families would be ushered in last. After they walk up the aisle, they would go together to light the tapers before they are seated. They would then return to their seats and your ceremony will begin.

Upon your request the following may also be added to the unity wording:

Your lives have been built on the guidance, values and faith imparted to you by your families. This has made you each the person that you are. You are now combining those traits, as you create a new family together today.

The following pages contain the complete wording for a religious or a contemporary ceremony.

Unity Candle Lighting Ceremony - Religious

We acknowledge the merging of the lives of Groom and Bride. The two outside candles have been lighted to represent your lives as they were to this moment. They are two distinct lights, each beautiful on it’s own. To bring joy and radiance, into your home, there must be a merging of these two flames into one.

From this time onward may you be guided by the light of Christ, so that your thoughts will be for each other rather than your individual selves; your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

As that center light cannot be divided, let not your lives be divided.

Unity Candle Lighting Ceremony - Contemporary

We acknowledge the merging of the lives of Groom and Bride. The two outside candles have been lighted to represent your lives as they were to this moment. They are two distinct lights, each beautiful on it’s own. To bring joy and radiance into your life, there must now be be a merging of these two flames into one.

From this time onward may your thoughts be for each other rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

As that center light cannot be divided, let not your lives be divided.

Unity or Common Cup Ceremony - Blended Wine / Blended Lives - Version 1

Instructions: Place two small carafes of wine (or water) on each side of the unity cup. You may choose to use two different colors of wine, or the same (or water). One carafe represents the bride, the other the groom. When the wine ceremony begins, the couple will each pour the liquid into the center cup after the significance of the ceremony is explained.

Wording

Groom and Bride the two individual carafes of wine (or water) represent your lives as they were to this moment - separate, each good in it’s own way. Peace and joy will be yours if there is a merging of your lives as represented by the merging of these two liquids into one.

(A religious ceremony would include: May God bless this wine (or water) as a symbol of that deepest love which sustains you.)

May your lives never be divided - just as this blended wine (or water) cannot be divided.

As you share the blended wine, from this time onward, may your thoughts be for each other rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

May you seal your commitment to each other by drinking from this common cup and may your lives be sweet and full to running over. Share this cup now, as you will share your lives.

Optional wording from the Groom and Bride: As the goom and bride each drink from the cup, they may say to one another, in turn:

“My life is now your life.” or “Our lives are now one.”

Unity or Common Cup - Blended Wine / Blended Lives - Version 2

Throughout the ages, wine has been used for celebration. Often and among many people, wine has signified life, vitality, love, and a life of plenty. Drinking wine from a common cup has been the mark of deep sharing.

It has been said, “The years of our lives are like a cup of wine poured out for us to drink. The grapes when they are pressed give forth their good juices for the wine. Under the winepress of time our lives give forth their labor and honor and love.”

Groom and Bride the two separate carafes of wine represent your lives as they were to this moment. They are two different flavors, each good in their own way. To bring joy and peace into your home, there should be a merging of two into one.

(A religious ceremony would include: May God bless this wine as a symbol of that deepest love which sustains you.)

As the wine that you blend cannot be divided, let not your lives be divided – As you share the blended wine, from this time onward, may your thoughts be for each other rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

May you seal your commitment to each other by drinking from this common cup and may your lives be sweet and full to running over. Share this cup now, as you will share your lives.

Optional wording from the Groom and Bride: As the goom and bride each drink from the cup, they may say to one another, in turn:

“My life is now your life.” or “Our lives are now one.”

Unity or Common Cup - Celebration

Throughout the ages, wine has been used for celebration. Often and among many people, wine has signified life, vitality, love, and a life of plenty. Drinking wine from a common cup has been the mark of deep sharing.

It has been said, “The years of our lives are like a cup of wine poured out for us to drink. The grapes when they are pressed give forth their good juices for the wine. Under the winepress of time our lives give forth their labor, honor and love.” May the days you sit at your table and eat and drink together be many.

(Religious ceremony: May God bless this wine as a symbol of that deepest love which sustains you.)

Groom and Bride, drink now, and may the cup of your lives be sweet and full to running over.

Unity or Common Cup - Wine, Bitter and Sweet, as is Life

Groom and Bride, into this cup is poured wine, bitter and sweet, even as life itself will pour into your marriage the varied bitterness and sweetness of love. Only in the deepest intimacy of trust and love may the bitter and sweet be blended well enough to make the life you share full and brave.

Many days you will eat and drink together. Many days you will have struggles and joys that only you will know of. By drinking from this single cup you symbolize the intimacy that is only yours to share.

Share this cup now, as you will share your lives. May the sweetness it holds be sweeter because you taste it together. May you find life’s joys heightened, it’s bitterness sweetened.

(Religious ceremony: May God bless this wine as a symbol of that deepest love which sustains you.)

Drink now and may the cup of your lives be rich and full to running over.

Unity Heart - An Artistic Creation

Instructions: This can be a very memorable unity element. Your imagination has no limits here. This may be done with different mediums, depending upon what your venue allows – even markers instead of paint - would allow the least amount of worry of an accident – indoors – or on clothing.

You would begin with an easel with a canvas, or foam board, etc. Then the bride and groom will begin the work of art by each creating the two sides of a heart during their ceremony.

There are two ways to finish the piece. The heart could be filled in with designs from everyone in your wedding party – or even your guests at your reception. An alternate idea would be for the bride and groom to complete the work – as the years go by. (See the wording that follows.)

If you plan to have your guests add designs during your reception, prepare a note of instructions to leave by your easel – to thank those who add to your work of art - and remind them of what you are trying to accomplish. If possible you might wish to include something that allows them to sign the section they work on. Depending on your medium, it might be fun if you provide a large smock for them to wear too!

We have a contemporary reading that might work very well during your ceremony with this unity element named Painting the Canvas of your Lives.

The wording during your ceremony could be revised depending upon what medium you choose – or if you want more mentioned about why you chose this unity element, it could be added.

Wording

We acknowledge the blending of the lives of Groom and Bride. They have decided to express their unity by painting/drawing a heart together. This will represent that today - their two hearts have become one.

Groom and Bride, your hearts are each beautiful on their own. As you join the sides of this heart - know that you will find even more joy and radiance in your lives, as your hearts become one.

You will begin your work of art on a blank canvas - symbolizing that you are beginning a fresh new life together today. Together - you will each paint/draw one side of a heart. These two sides represent your lives as they were to this moment. One, representing you, Groom, all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will be; and the other representing you, Bride, all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will be.

From this time onward may your thoughts be for each other, rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared. As the heart you have created in this picture cannot be divided, let not your lives be divided.

Groom and Bride ask that you add to this creation during their reception – filling this heart with your love - through your designs. They plan to frame this heart and keep it as a reminder of their love and unity - and of this beautiful day.

Or:

Groom and Bride will continue to add to to this heart throught out the years, until they have filled it with love, and beautiful designs. They plan to frame this heart and keep it as a reminder of their love and unity - and of this beautiful day.

Unity Sand Ceremony - Explanation and Instructions

The sand ceremony symbolizes leaving two separate lives, and joining in one life together. The separate lives are represented by two vases of sand, in different colors. The bride and groom come together, and pour two individual colors of sand, contained in two separate vases, into one center vase. The vase may be empty at first – or in the alternate religious version would have a base of white sand already in the center vase (see explanation below).

The grains of sand flowing together symbolize the couple’s lives being united. The sand ceremony works well outdoors in the place of a unity candle. The vase containing the blended sand is then may become a keepsake.

This ceremony is very similar to the unity candle ceremony – and is great used outdoors – where a candle may not work because of wind. There are ideas for including your mothers and other hints at the end of this section.

Alternate Ideas and Hints

1) Hint Regarding Amount of Sand to Use:

When filling the bride and groom’s vases with sand, keep in mind that you want only enough to fill the empty vase…about ½ as much as the size of the center vase in each. Less sand if you are following the Religious version shown above.

2) Including Mothers: This adds an element similar to having your mothers light the two candles at the sides of the unity candle. The mothers are ushered in and seated, (carrying the vase of sand belonging to the bride or the groom.) They would then, as a prelude to the ceremony, walk up together to bring the vases to the table where the empty vase has been placed. They would set the vases of sand on each side of the empty vase. They would then return to their seats, and the ceremony would begin. The wording during the ceremony could reflect the following upon your request:

“Your lives have been built on the guidance, values and faith imparted to you by your families. This has made you the person that you are today. You are now combining those traits, as you create a new family together today.”

3) Religious Marriage: The center vase would already be filled about 1/3 with white sand. (Or you might ask your minister to pour this sand first. This would symbolize having God as the foundation of your marriage. The wording used during the sand ceremony would reflect the meaning of this. (See page 10.)

4) Containers & Sand: You may wish to search online – but the containers and sand are readily available at stores that sell floral supplies – such as Michael’s Crafts, Hobby Lobby, even at IKEA. They have some beautiful cylinder bud bases – and then vases of various increase in size for your center vase. (If you purchase a container with a round opening – you can usually purchase a cork of the correct size to cover later.) You can even decorate your center vase – by placing it in a candle ring to fit.

Another option – perhaps if you are being married by water – is to include your individual colors of sand inside of two small conch shells – and pour them into the center container.

Unity Sand Ceremony - Religious - Two Colors of Sand

Groom and Bride you have been united today by the exchange of vows, and by the giving and receiving of rings. You have pledged to agree that you will be as committed to one another throughout your lives, as you are today.

You have chosen to represent your unity as a married couple with the Sand Ceremony.

Your relationship is symbolized through the blending of these two individual containers of sand. One, representing you, Groom, and all that you were, and all that you are, and all that you will ever be; and the other representing you, Bride, and all that you were, and all that you are, and all that you will ever be.

As these containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist. They are joined together as one.

Our prayer for you today is that just as these grains of sand can never be separated; let not your lives be divided. With the grace of God, from this time onward may your thoughts be for each other, rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

Unity Sand Ceremony - Religious - Three Colors of Sand

Groom and Bride you have been united today by the exchange of vows, and by the giving and receiving of rings. You have pledged to agree that you will be as committed to one another throughout your lives, as you are today.

You have chosen to represent your unity as a married couple as well as your commitment to have faith in God be the foundation of your marriage with the Sand Ceremony.

The white sand that has already been placed in the center vase represents the presence of God as the Foundation of your marriage. Your relationship with one another is symbolized through the blending of the other two individual containers of sand. One, representing you, Groom, and all that you were, and all that you are, and all that you will ever be; and the other representing you, Bride, and all that you were, and all that you are, and all that you will ever be.

As these containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist. They are joined together as one.

Our prayer for you today is that just as these grains of sand can never be separated; let not your lives be divided. With the grace of God, from this time onward may your thoughts be for each other, rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

Unity Sand Ceremony – Contemporary

Groom and Bride you have been united today by the exchange of vows, and by the giving and receiving of rings. You have pledged to agree that you will be as committed to one another throughout your lives, as you are today.

You have chosen to represent your unity as a married couple with the Sand Ceremony.

Your relationship is symbolized through the blending of these two individual containers of sand. One, representing you, Groom, and all that you were, and all that you are, and all that you will ever be; and the other representing you, Bride, and all that you were, and all that you are, and all that you will ever be.

As these containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist. They are joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated, let not your lives be divided. From this time onward may your thoughts be for each other, rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

Unity Hand Fasting - Tying the Knot - Ceremony

Instructions; The couple will join hands, left hand to left hand, and right hand to right hand. The Maid of Honor and the Best Man and Minister will, in turn, loosely wrap the wrists of the bride and groom with a ribbon, satin cord or a ceremonial cloth. There will be three knots. The first will be tied by the Maid of Honor, the second by the Best Man and the third knot will be tied by the Officiant.

Wording

Please look into each others eyes. Please take each others’ hands. The tying together of the hands symbolizes that you are no longer two separate people but a new unit, a family, bound together in mutual love.

Will you honor and respect each other, and seek never to break that honor? (We will.)

(The cord is wrapped around the couple’s hands and tied by the Maid of Honor)

Will you share each other’s pain and seek to ease it, and share each other’s burdens so that your spirits may grow in this union? (We will.)

(The cord is then wrapped around the couple’s hands again and tied by the Best Man)

Will you share each other’s laughter, and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other? (We will.)

(The cord is then wrapped around the couple’s hands again and tied by the Officiant.)

You hold in your hands the future of your union. The cord that joins you, symbolizes that there is now one life before you. Your commitment is not formed by the knots of this cord, but rather by the promises you have made to one another today.

As you go through life together - remember:

Just as the sun shines above us - your love will be a constant source of warmth and light.

Like the solid earth beneath us, let your love be a firm foundation from which to grow.

Practice the promises you have made here today - and your love will shine as brightly as the stars.

(The couple will slip their hands from the cord, leaving it tied.)

Unity Blended Candle (Wax) Beads (With added wick becomes a candle)

Instructions: You can get wax candle beads at craft or hobby stores, or online. You may make any size candle you wish – if you want to burn it each year on your anniversary. You might want to get two different colors to blend – this would work similar to the sand ceremony. It is important that your wick be approximately 2 inches from the side of the container. We found good information about how to make a bead candle at although the idea is so new – they do not have a kit there.

Wording

Groom and Bride you have been united today by the exchange of vows, and by the giving and receiving of rings. You have pledged to agree that you will be as committed to one another throughout your lives, as you are today.

Groom and Bride have chosen to represent their unity as a married couple by creating blending wax beads that will become a unity candle. They will light the candle later today and on each anniversary of their wedding day.

Your relationship is symbolized through the blending of these two individual containers of beads. One, representing you, Groom, and all that you were, and all that you are, and all that you will ever be; and the other representing you, Bride, and all that you were, and all that you are, and all that you will ever be.

As these containers of beads are poured into the third container, the individual containers of beads no longer exist. They are joined together as one. When these beads become a candle - the flame will fuse them forever.

Today, you join your lives. Just as these beads can never be separated, let not your lives be divided. From this time onward may your thoughts be for each other, rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

May your feelings of commitment and love for one another glow brightly - year after year - as the light of the life you form together continues to shine.

Unity Candle Lighting - New Family - Ceremony and Diagram

As each member of this family lights the candle of the next, may each distinct light become a flame of love passed from one family member to the next. _______, please light _______’s candle, and _______, please light _______’s candle. Now Groom, and Bride, as your candle’s are lighted, let this symbolize the unity of your newly combined family.

Groom and Bride, your candles have been lighted to represent your lives as they were to this moment. They are two distinct lights, each capable of going its own way. To bring joy and radiance into your home, there must be a merging of these two flames into one.

Religious Ceremony:

From this time onward may you be guided by the light of Christ, so that your thoughts will be for each other rather than your individual selves; your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

As that center light cannot be divided, let not your lives be divided.

Contemporary Ceremony:

From this time onward may your thoughts be for each other rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

As that center light cannot be divided, let not your lives be divided.

Diagram

[pic]

Unity or Common Cup - New Family - With Blessed Water

Into this cup is poured water, pure and sweet, even as life itself will pour into your marriage sweetly. However, love never comes without varied bitterness and sweetness. Only in the deepest intimacy of trust and love may the bitter and sweet be blended well enough to make the life you share full and brave.

Groom and Bride, many days you will eat and drink together. Many days you will have struggles and joys that only you will know of. By drinking from this single cup you symbolize the intimacy that is only yours to share. May God bless this water as a symbol of that deepest love which sustains you. Drink now and may the cup of your lives be rich and full to running over.

Children’s names, to symbolize the unity of your newly combined family, please join in drinking from this cup. Throughout the struggles and joys of life, may the love and joy your family will share, be forever in your hearts, making them rich and full to running over.

Unity Flower Presentation - New Family

Instructions: The Bride and Groom and each new family member would have a flower (or a few flowers the same) in bud vases – to be combined into a bouquet at the end of the unity explanation.)

Wording

Every flower is beautiful and different…some flowers are tall and some are quite small. Some are brilliantly bold and some are peacefully beautiful. Yet each one shows its own beauty.

Every member of a family is different – and much like a flower - each member of the family has their own beauty. However - their beauty is most powerful when they are placed together. Because as we all know - a single flower may have its individual beauty – but a bouquet is even more spectacular.

Today marks not only the merging of the lives of Groom and Bride’s lives – it marks the merging of new family. Today you are making a commitment to love and accept each other - and to be the beautiful flowers that will create the radiant bouquet of your new family.

I am going to ask the each of you to now take your flower(s) – and together as a family – place them into the family vase – symbolizing the beauty of your new family.

Unity Hand Fasting - Tying the Knot - New Family (Includes the Children wrapping)

(The couple will join hands, left hand to left hand, and right hand to right hand. The Child or Children of the Bride and Groom will, in turn, loosely wrap the wrists of the bride and groom with a ribbon, satin cord or a ceremonial cloth. There will be three knots. The first two can be done by the Children and the third knot will be tied by the Officiant.)

Wording

Please look into each others eyes. Please take each others’ hands. The tying together of the hands symbolizes that you are no longer two separate people but a new unit, a family, bound together in mutual love.

Will you honor and respect each other, and seek never to break that honor? (We will.)

(The cord is draped around the couple’s hands and tied by their Child or Children)

Will you share each other’s pain and seek to ease it, and share each other’s burdens so that your spirits may grow in this union? (We will.)

(The cord is then wrapped around the couples hands again and tied by their Child or Children)

Will you share each other’s laughter, and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other? (We will.)

(The cord is then wrapped around the couples hands again and tied by the Officiant)

You hold in your hands the future of your union and that of your new family. The cord that joins you, symbolizes that there is now one life before you. Your commitment is not formed by the knots of this cord, but rather by the promises you have made to each other today. Your new life is now tied with the lives of these children – and the promises that you extend to them - through your love.

As you go through life together - remember:

Just as the sun shines above us - your love will be a constant source of warmth and light.

Like the solid earth beneath us, let your love be a firm foundation from which to grow.

Practice the promises made here today - and your love will shine as brightly as the stars.

(The couple will slip their hands from the cord, leaving it tied.)

Unity Sand Ceremony - New Family

(More information about the Sand Ceremony is listed on page 9.)

You may wish to include your children in the sand ceremony as a symbol of your newly blended families. Choose a different color of sand for each of the children, in smaller vases. (Or you might want to let them choose their favorite color.)

After the bride and groom have poured their sand as a foundation to the family, the children would then add the sand from their vases. Or you may blend the sand all at once. You can also do each child as individual layers, perhaps by age.

Wording

Groom and Bride you have been united today by the exchange of vows, and by the giving and receiving of rings. You have pledged to agree that you will be as committed to one another throughout your lives, as you are today.

You have chosen to represent your unity as a married couple as well as your commitment to your new family with the Unity Sand Ceremony.

Your relationship with one another is symbolized through the blending of two individual containers of sand. One, representing you, Groom, and all that you were, and all that you are, and all that you will ever be; and the other representing you, Bride, and all that you were, and all that you are, and all that you will ever be.

After Groom and Bride have blended sand to symbolize their unity – it will also symbolize that their love will be the foundation of their new family. Their children - Children’s Name(s) - will add sand to show the blending of their lives into this new family.

As these containers of sand are poured together, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist. They are joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated, let not your lives be divided. From this time onward may your thoughts be for each other, rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

Unity Element: Family Sand Ceremony: Shorter version – including child- or children

Groom and Bride, you have just committed yourselves to one another through sacred vows. You are no longer two, but one. To symbolize this joining, you have chosen the sand ceremony. As the grains of sand are joined together - so are your lives – your hearts - your being - and your souls - through your marriage today. Such as these grains of sand can never be separated, let not your lives be divided. From this time onward may your thoughts be for each other, rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared.

Groom and Bride, as you pour your individual containers of sand together, please remember that as these grains of sand merge together as one - your lives merge. Give and take love from each other throughout the sands of time - as your hearts are forever in one another’s keeping.

(Ask their child/children to join them as said below. After the sand is poured the parents might hug and kiss the children!)

Child / Childrens Names your parents love you very much, and want you to know that you are and will always be a very important part of their lives. It would mean so much to them if you would please pour some sand into this glass container along with your love and good wishes.

Unity Promises - New Family - To Older Children (Usually read from a card.)

Instructions: This could precede the use of a Family unity element or sometimes a keepsake item is given – or it may be used on its own – following the couples vows.

Wording

I have pledged my love, today and always, to your mother/father.

I also pledge my love and respect to you, Child’s Name(s).

It is my desire to be an influence on your life/lives by listening to you,

and respecting your uniqueness and individuality.

My wish is to be someone you will come to for comfort and suggestions.

I strive to be a person that you will respect and look upon with love.

I hope that you will learn how to show love to others from my behavior.

My goal is to create a family atmosphere that is loving, happy and healthy.

I want our home to be a place where you can grow to your fullest potential.

These are my promises to you today - and always.

Unity Promises – New Family – To Younger Children (Usually read from a card.)

Instructions: This could precede the use of a Family unity element or sometimes a keepsake item is given – or it may be used on its own – following the couples vows.

Wording:

I have pledged my love, today and always, to your mother/father.

I also promise my love and respect to you, Child’s Name(s).

You are very special and important to me.

There is no one else like you.

It is my promise to listen to you.

I will love you, and be kind to you.

I will talk to you with a calm voice.

I will always treat you with respect.

There is nothing you could do that would make me not love you.

You may always remind me of my promises.

My wish is to be someone you will come to when you need help.

My hope is that you will turn to me when you have questions.

I want to be a person that you will respect and look upon with love.

I hope that you will learn how to show love to others from my behavior.

From today on, as we become a family,

I want to give you peace, love and happiness.

I want our home to be a healthy place

where you can grow to be all you can be.

These are my promises to you today - and always.

Unity Heart - An Artistic Creation

We acknowledge the blending of the lives of Groom and Bride. They have decided to express their unity by painting a heart together. This will represent that today - their two hearts have become one.

Groom and Bride, your hearts are each beautiful on their own. As you join the sides of this heart - know that you will find even more joy and radiance in your lives, as your hearts become one.

You will begin your work of art on a blank canvas - symbolizing that you are beginning a fresh new life together today. Together - you will each paint one side of a heart. These two sides represent your lives as they were to this moment. One, representing you, Groom, all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will be; and the other representing you, Bride, all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will be.

From this time onward may your thoughts be for each other, rather than your individual selves; may your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared. As the heart you have created in this picture cannot be divided, let not your lives be divided.

[Optional] Groom and Bride ask that you add to this creation during their reception - showing your love - through your designs. They plan to frame this heart and keep it as a reminder of their love and unity - and of this beautiful day.

Picture in your mind how you might paint the heart together. Possibly standing face to face, and then turning, placing your brushes on the canvas at the same point touching at the top of the heart – and then meeting brushes again at the bottom - to touch.

If you are artistic – or just like to fill in the heart with designs – you may want to do this together later to hang in your home – or if you want to share with your guests – you might do the following:

You might want to make a tent card for the reception, thanking those who add their love to your heart…etc, etc. Maybe instructions about a smock or apron – or where to place the brushes so they don’t dry out.

You can purchase a nice box at an art store that holds a pallette and has a lid – some dabs of paint could be placed onto it - and and you could make a divider so there could be room for the bushes to lay and not get messy – the lid closes to keep everything from drying out.

You might also make something with markers on foam poster board and frame that later – as a less messy version.

Unity Element: Anniversary Box with Letters & Wine: Wording and Information

Wording:

G & B have a fascinating idea. They will be placing letters that include what they love about each other along with a bottle of wine (and perhaps other keepsake items as the years go by) into a special box.

(They will write new letters each year as a part of their wedding anniversary celebrations.)

On their _____* (whatever year or maybe each year*) wedding anniversary celebration(s) - they will open the box, read their letters to each other…etc if other items.

Our wish for you G&B, is that your happiness and reasons to love one another increase in great measure – as your love grows stronger as your years together progress!

Information:

You may wish to get a special box – say from a craft store – so that it looks unique or if you do not want to design and purchase a box yourself, we have discovered that lists such an item as Love Letter Ceremony Box Set. A number of vendors sell this particular item. This information is also included at if you click on “Weddings” and then “Blogs” and scroll down.

Depending upon the size of your box, you may wish to add other itens in addition to the letters and wine. For example, you might wish to add certain things that you feel will be special to you when you open the box – and just “special things” may be added to the wording said when the element is introduced in your ceremony.

Some examples of additional items might include a candle you burn an few hours each year (I think there are certain candles made to burn slowly and with year marks – or if you use the unity candle during your wedding ceremony only - you could use it), or whatever is special to you to remember together. You may research these candles online – they may be listed as birthday countdown year candles – but if they only have numbers and nothing saying birthday – they would also work as Anniversary Candles – I saw some that may even be able to be personalized – you can always call the company to be sure exactly what you are looking at if their pictures are not large enough.

*You may wish to open the box each anniversary – or on your 5th or 10th or whatever you feel is a milestone. Each time you might add new letters, etc.

**Please be sure to let us know when you will open the box and which type of box you are using. (Letters and wine only – or additional keepsakes)

[pic]

Example: from : “Love Letter Ceremony Set Box”

-----------------------

Rev Frye

Groom

Bride

Child 2

Child 4

Child 3

Not to scale

Idea:

1. Rev Frye distributes candles to each of the bridal party

2. Rev Frye lights candles of Child 1 and Child 4.

3. Child 1 lights Child 2’s candle; Child 4 lights Child 3’s candle.

4. Child 2 lights Bride’s candle; Child 3 lights Groom’s candle

5. Bride and Groom light Unity Candle

This sequence signifies the blending of the new family

Child 1

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download