How to create meaningful commitment in your wedding ceremony
If you have attended any kind of wedding you will have witnessed the couple exchanging rings, while saying some meaningful words of commitment. But there are so many other rituals, or symbolic acts, that you can include in your wedding ceremony to help you create that bonding moment that makes you feel properly married. Seal the deal with a ritual!
The point of having a ritual (or more than one) in your ceremony is usually to create a bonding moment, where you act out your commitment - a symbolic act. The word ‘act’ also means ‘create’, ‘carry out’ or ‘officiate’, which makes it even more understandable why we want a symbolic act in a wedding ceremony. ‘Ritual’ also means ‘rite’, which again is a formal or ceremonial act. No matter what we call it, the purpose is there to create a commitment in action.
You probably know the phrase ‘tying the knot’. Hand fasting, or hand tying, is a popular and visual ritual for weddings that literally ties the couple together! Many wedding rituals focus on creating unity to show a commitment to a shared life. Those rituals will often blend certain materials, such as drinks or sand or even tying the couple together!
A ritual, or symbolic act, also gives family and friends a chance to be part of a special moment, a moment of transition, where they witness and support someone they love change from one state to another through that ritual. It is often the peak of the ceremony celebrating the union of two wonderful people, their lives and communities.
How and what you do for your symbolic act in your ceremony is completely up to you. It is a magical pick-and-mix situation of wonderful ways to create meaning and symbolise your love.
If you are looking for a meaningful, visual and fun way to create your commitment either instead of or as well as exchanging rings, take a look at some ideas below. I’m always available for more information.
Handfasting
Couples join hands, have ribbons/cords laid over and gathered in a loose knot. Either they hold an end of the ribbons each and release their hands to tie a knot, or the celebrant ties the knot on top of their hands for them. It is common for the celebrant to say some symbolic words of unity and togetherness while placing the ribbons.
How about one of these rituals for your ceremony?
Exchange of rings
Warming of the rings (before the exchange)
Handfasting (Tying the Knot)
Rose Ceremony
Keepsake Box
Sand Blending
Unity Candles
Tree / flower planting
Jumping the broom
Vodka / wine / cocktail ceremony
Quaich / loving cup ceremony
Breaking bread
Or create your own
Creating your own wedding ritual can be a fun way of personalising your ceremony.
If you want to know more about these intriguing symbolic acts and how to include them in your ceremony, get in touch!
If you are looking to make your ceremony extra fun and/or super relaxed, check out these ideas:
‘10 Ideas for Fun and Relaxed Wedding Ceremony Rituals’
I do not support releasing balloons, lanterns or animals at a ceremony.
