NON DENOMINATIONAL WEDDING CEREMONY CHOICES

A civil ceremony is a beautiful ceremony that doesn't reference God or any other spiritual deity. Civil ceremonies may have traditional or contemporary readings or poems and there are no prayers or blessings.

A non-denominational ceremony is typically Christian however it can also be spiritual.  The main differentiation is that it does not adhere to any particular denomination (Catholic, Baptist, etc)  These ceremonies may have Christian and/or contemporary readings and inserts.

A Spiritual ceremony is a beautiful ceremony that often incorporates traditions, blessings, and/or prayers of non-Christian faiths or couples that consider themselves to be spiritual but do not attend a particular church or affiliate with one particular belief. 

A Christian ceremony is a ceremony with emphasis as Christ at the center of your marriage; an expression of worship, reflecting joy, celebration, community, respect, dignity and love; a testimony of your live before God, demonstrating your Christian values. These ceremonies generally include prayers and scripture readings.

Interfaith/intercultural ceremonies incorporate traditions, blessings and/or prayers from more than one faith or culture, for example Buddhist or Christian elements, African, Jewish or Hispanic cultures, etc.

The Unity Sand Ceremony Explained

The unity sand Ceremony is an alternative to the Unity Candle Ceremony and is similar in its symbolism. The relationship of the bride and groom is symbolized through the pouring of two individual containers of sand (representing their individuality) into one container representing their union. As the sand from the two containers is poured into the third container, the individual sands no longer exist, but now is a combination of the two.

This is an excellent ceremony to include children and/or family members as it not only symbolizes two individuals coming together as one but many times a family becoming one.

The Rose Ceremony

The Rose Ceremony is simple yet profoundly moving. The bride and groom exchange a rose, representing their first gift to one another as husband and wife.

In more elegant days, flowers were used as a means of communication. Each flower had a special meaning. In the old language of flowers, a single red rose always meant "I love you". The Rose ceremony gives recognition to the new and most honorable title of "Husband and Wife". This ceremony originated in a classic rose ceremony from a lost and elegant age.

Blessing of the Hands

This Blessing of the hands gives the bride and groom the opportunity to reflect upon the beauty or their partners love.  Poetry of words express  the symbology and beauty of what each partner hopes to promise to each other.  This ceremony is truly a moment of reflection and honor to each persons love.

Here is an excerpt of a hand ceremony:

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he/she promises to love you all the days of his/her life . . . These are the hands that will give you support as he/she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized. God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another."

Blending of Families

This ceremony incorporates family members and makes them feel involved and a special part of the bride and grooms lives. In each of the ceremonies below the family members play a role and get to participate.

Any one of these ceremonies work beautifully to include family members:

The Unity Sand Ceremony
Unity Candle
Rose Ceremony

Unity Candle Ceremony

The wedding unity candle is used during the wedding ceremony and is referred to as the Unity Candle Ceremony or Unity Candle Lighting. This touching unity candle tradition has become very popular in recent years. Using the wedding unity candle in your ceremony symbolizes spiritual life, light, love and caring. To utilize the practice of a unity candle arrangement in your wedding ceremony you generally need 2 taper candles, a pillar-style, unity candle and unity candle holders for them.

There are many ways to incorporate the unity candle ceremony into your own wedding ceremony that will make it most meaningful to you, your fiancé and your families. It can be a way to celebrate the joining of two people and the joining of two families. You can even choose to have a unity candle reading.

Remembrances

If you've lost a parent, grandparent, or friend, a brief moment of remembrance of them at your wedding is a fitting way to acknowledge their presence with you spiritually, and in your hearts. In the ceremony you can honor specific people, or you can ask your Officiate to include a general acknowledgment of loved ones who are not able to join you for your wedding.

There are different ways you can honor your loved ones:

The most common Wedding Memorials are candles, which can be lit just before your unity candle ceremony, or at any other time you and your Officiate feels is a right time. Special readings are read before or during the lighting of the candles. A moment of silence in remembrance is customary.

You may also display a single rose or flower arrangement in a vase and have your Officiate lead you in a moment of silence or prayer or recite a poem.

Other Ceremonies Available Upon Request:

Examples:Other Ceremonies Available Upon Request: Examples:

Hand Fasting Ceremony

Family Sand Unity Ceremony

Unity Candle Ceremony (not recommended for outdoor)
Breaking of the Glass Ceremony

Interfaith, Commitment, Renewal

Cultural Ceremonies - Hawaiian, Spanish, Buddhist, American Indian

Tossing a stone or shell into water with prayer

Ceremony with Poem/Song

Cord and Veil (Christian-Phillipino-Celtic)

Special Requests

Jumping the Broom

Dove Release