All wedding ceremonies are, of course, personal and filled with meaning for the bride and groom. While many couples write their own vows, drawing on experiences and feelings that are unique to them, some go a step further and include special rituals that symbolise the beginning of their new life together. Words from the celebrant, a family member or close friend often accompany the ritual.
Some such examples are;
- Releasing white doves to signify the peace, love and happiness shared by the newly married couple.
- Lighting a candle and taking a few moments to remember loved ones who have passed on.
- Pouring individual containers of sand into one vase is a touching way to symbolise the formation of a new family. This is particularly meaningful when children from a previous relationship are involved.
- Loosely binding the hands of the bride and groom with ribbon is a ritual known as handfasting that dates back to pagan times.
Thank you to Ann Lord for contributing this week's blog post. Ann wrote 'Say I Do. Legally' on page 64 of the current issue of Smitten Magazine.
Ann Lord is a celebrant in Perth and is married with two young kids and a staffy called Lucy. Meet Ann at the
First Comes Love bridal fair in May.
