Other Rituals

This week we will continue our discussion of Rituals

Rose/ Vase Ritual

Rose and Vase Ritual

There are many versions of rituals using roses found on the net. The one I use is one that wrote the majority of myself.

This ritual is chosen for a lot of my weddings because: 1) Unless someone has seen a wedding I performed with this ritual the guests will not have seen it. 2) It is very romantic (and who wants romance in a wedding) 3) It gives the couple an easy way to celebrate their anniversaries.

The ritual text talks about the symbolism in relationship between the rose and the vase of water, illustrated with quotes from great poets and philosophers.

Hand fasting

This ritual is used in Christian, Wicca and Interfaith ceremonies. It is very similar to the Lasso Ritual used in Mexican and Mexican American ceremonies.

Hand Fasting

The Bride and the Groom have a rope (ribbon etc.) either placed around their shoulders or around their hands as a symbol of their joining their lives.  In the Celtic -American Church (Christian NOT Wiccan) the primary reading for the hand fasting is Ecclesiastes 4. 9-12.

This is usually done right before the vows and removed following the vows.

God's Knot

God's Knot

The God's Knot is another version of hand fasting. In this version there are three cords, each with a different color signifying the bride, the groom and Christ in the marriage.

Ring Warming

In ring warming rituals the rings are passed from person to person among the wedding party and family who pause as they hold the rings and add their best wishes for strength in support of marriage. This can also be done with all the attendees but it takes a lot more time.

While the rings are passed you can use music or readings, or just some discussion of marriage.

Blessing of the Hands

This is a very pretty ritual that is done between the vows and ring vows. The bride and groom hold hands and face each other as the text talks about their hands in relation to all aspects of the couple's life together.

Chocolate Ritual

For chocolate lovers everywhere, this ritual features the couple eating various forms of chocolate as the celebrant relates the types of chocolate to various aspects of marriage.

Stones Ritual

No this ritual has nothing to do with Mick Jagger or Keith Richards though I suppose Jumpin Jack Flash could be playing in the background while you went through the ritual.

This ritual is very similar to the sand ritual and can be used as a ritual to include the couple's children. We start with bud vases, Two for bride and groom and if they want to include their children, one for each child.

The rocks in each vase are painted a different color. They are poured into a larger container at the appropriate moment in the ritual. The ceremony can end two ways. The first is the place the container of painted stones in the home. The second is to have the family take the container to a body of water and cast the stones into it after the ceremony.

Butterfly Release

Butterfly Release

A release of butterflies is a ritual that can be done many ways. In Christian religious ceremonies the text may talk about metamorphosis as it relates to the resurrection of Christ. There are also butterfly rituals tied to American Indian ceremonies.  It can also be used with a number of poems in non religious ceremonies.

One of the most beautiful ways I've seen it used in the weddings I have done is the release of the butterflies after the pronouncement and kiss....they are released during the reading of the benediction which relates the butterflies to the newly married couple.

Wedding Circle

In the wedding circle all the guests form a circle around the bride, groom and minister and all the rituals, readings, vows etc take place while surrounded by the circle of family, friends and guests.

Community Blessings Benediction Ritual

During the Benediction the minister relates ten blessings that he wants for the couple. As s/he relates each blessing the assembled say "Amen" during the pause between each one, adding their blessings to that of the celebrant.

This is not a complete listing of rituals. There are many more to be found on the internet, but these are the most used.