Symbolic Actions

Symbolic actions can add depth and a lovely feeling of meaning and togetherness to your ceremony AND you can ever so easily involve family members or friends to help them feel included in your day and in your lives.  Here are a few of my favourites:

These can be used in all different types of ceremony whether it be your wedding, naming, vow renewal or commitment ceremony, and they can be used in a variety of ways. Just one example of how this works is – the couple, grandparents or godparents light a small candle each, which represent each of them. They then use the flame from their candles to light a larger (unity) candle. The unity candle symbolises the joining together of the couple or family, with the flame shining big and bright, symbolising the joining together of their lives. How lovely!  

The couple, parents or family members  have their own small jar of coloured sand which they pour into a larger vase. As the sand blends together, it represents their lives blending together, two becoming one, with their strengths, personalities and best bits all mixed up together in one big vase full of happiness. 

This is just beautiful, and a VERY emotional way to include the bride/groom's Mum in the ceremony.  The bride/groom's Mum is invited to the front to give the bride/groom their last kiss before they say 'I do'.  Mum's are usually the first person to give you a kiss when you're born and their love for you is eternal so they also get to give you a last kiss before you start your new journey together.  

Have a jar for all your guests to leave you a date night idea. Each month you and your partner draw one out and put it into action! Be prepared for the good, the bad, the embarrassing! 

This involves just about EVERYBODY at your ceremony! The rings are passed around all the guests at the start of the ceremony, who each make a wish to you and your future together.  Every time you look at your rings you will feel full of love and blessings from everybody who shared your special day with you. 

Everyone holds hands. Choose which one of you is going to start off and squeeze the hand of the guest next to you, who then squeezes the hand of the person next to them until the squeeze has made its way around every single guest. The anticipation builds as the squeeze makes it way around the room, followed by huge cheers of excitement as the heartbeat finally reaches the bride or groom! HURRAH, HOORAY!! This works brilliantly just before saying your vows and promises as it connects everyone together and heightens the level of emotion and engagement in the room! ❤️ 

This is like doing a toast mid ceremony - how fabulous!  You can either drink from the same cup (called a loving cup with 2 handles) or have a cup/glass each and you each pour for each other.  I say a few words about the flavours/ingredients of the wine/ale and what they represent in marriage, then do a toast.  Cheers!

Ask your guests to write messages or promises which can be inspirational, hopes and dreams or even something lighthearted and fun and hang them on a tree at your ceremony.  The messages can be kept for the future to read and remember all the love, support and wishes your friends and family have made for you.