This act involves three candles, one representing the bride, one representing the groom, and one larger candle representing the family unit that they are creating by their marriage.  The individuals (or sometimes their mothers)  each light one of the smaller candles and then, together, the bride and groom light the larger candle.   The symbology here is creating a stronger brighter light that shines forth for all the world to see.

If done outside, we recommend using hurricane shades to insure that the candles stay lit.   Once the central candle is lit, the couple set their individual candles down leaving them lit because they are still individuals even though they are married.

This symbolic act is similar to the unity candle, only it uses liquid instead of fire.  The bride and groom pour wine into a common cup and give each other a sip.  It symbolized the blending of their live and a willingness to accept all that life brings.

This symbolic act is a delightful ritual that uses flowers (usually roses) to honor the beauty, the sharing, the unconditionality of their love,  and to represent the power & passion of the couple's love for each other.

When either the bride or groom have children from a prior relationship, we recommend adding the Expanded Family Ritual to the ceremony.   This is particularly important if the children are between the ages of about four to seventeen.   It acknowledges the children and declares their role and their importance in the family unit that is being honored on the wedding day.   

They may know ahead of time that they will be acknowledged or it may be a complete surprise to them.   Either way, the children usually love this part of the ceremony.                                       (Reference to example)°  

This symbolic act involves two separate containers of sand, one representing the bride, one representing the groom, and one, clear, glass container into which the sand will be poured during the wedding ceremony.   The glass container represents the family unit that is being created by their marriage.  The sand represents the uniqueness that each partner brings to the marriage.   The pouring of sand from the individual containers by the bride and groom into the glass container symbolizes the blending of their live and a willingness to accept all that life brings.   

It's different from the wine sharing in that it produces a lasting visual symbol of the uniqueness of the marriage and of the blending of two lives.   The couple usually keep the container in a special place in their home.

The sand may come from a location where the bride and groom grew up.   I many come from a nearby, natural source.   It may come from a location special to the couple.  It may be special colored sand purchased at an art supply store.  Some couples use material that is slightly larger than grains of sand, and some couples don't use sand at all,   They use materials that are unique to themselves such as beads, sea shells, small crystals, tiny beach stones, etc.   

Photo © 2004  Rev. R. Cote' -- All rights reserved   

Some couples choose to break a glass. at the end of their wedding ceremony.   Some people consider this act to be a Jewish tradition.   Well it is, but at the same time it's not.   See the Frequently Asked Questions. page for the origin and  purpose this symbolic act.

Some couples choose to offer a rose to their mothers as they exit the ceremony site.  They go, as a couple, to each mother and give her a rose.

Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Syrup:   Occasionally a very creative bride and groom will come up with a special symbolic act that is uniquely their own.  For example, we officiated a home wedding where the maid of honor went into the kitchen and retrieved from the refrigerator/freezer a dish of vanilla ice cream and a pitcher of chocolate syrup.  She handed the ice cream to the bride and the syrup to the groom.  He poured the syrup on the ice cream and then they fed each other chocolate covered ice cream.

The symbology here is that both the vanilla ice cream and the chocolate syrup are in themselves delicious; however when blended together, they become something that neither could ever be alone.

.Strawberry Ritual.             ...

Strawberry Ritual:  Rev. Connie officiated a hot air balloon wedding in which, the bride and groom intended to include the  symbolic act of Sharing a Cup of Wine.   The ceremony was performed in the basket of a balloon that was all set to lift off the ground as the bride and groom's unique exit from the wedding site.   When the time came for the wine sharing, they asked their attendants for the wine and the wine glasses.   It was only at this moment that the couple realized that, in the excitement of preparing for the day, they had forgotten to bring both the wine and the glasses.   

Since they were in the middle of a wide open field and a long way from any wine or glasses, they were about to move on to the rest of the ceremony when one of the guests said:    "Rather than skipping the symbolic act, I have some strawberries.   Use them in place of the wine."   So with a some additional laughter, a few "Here! Here!" cheers, and an in-the-moment improv from Rev Connie,  the Strawberry ritual was born.  

This added still another distinctive touch to their already special and unique wedding celebration.   Read the comment form the bride and groom.   Or call Connie and ask for more details about the strawberry ritual.

Rather than having a symbolic act in their wedding ceremony, some couples prefer to add an additional Wedding Reading. and insert it into the ceremony where symbolic acts are commonly placed.   .