My Unity Ceremony Series - Love Letters and the Wine Box Ceremony

Love Letters & Wine Box Ceremony

 

A Love Letter and Wine Box exchange is a romantic ceremony that will enhance your wedding and serve as a lasting reminder of the commitments made to one another.

Heart felt letters, encapsulating your thoughts and feelings on what you love about the other, the reason you wish to spend the rest of your lives together and the special qualities that only they possess, are locked away to be revealed several years into your marriage.

 

We begin with a bottle of favourite wine that the couple have chosen. Maybe a brand that has come to be their favourite or one that holds meaning of a special time or place.

Even the most ordinary objects possess the ability to evoke powerful images, memories and emotions.

 

 Second, the special box in which everything for this ceremony will be kept.

This box may be purchased and customized with your names & wedding date or you may choose to make or find your own. There are so many creative ideas that can go into getting the “Just Right” wine box for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside your box is known only to you.

 

 

 



 



 

You can include a favorite pictures of you together, and other mementos making it your own romantic time capsule

 

 

  

Next we have 2 love letters each written privately without the other seeing it before they were sealed.

 

The love letters describe how the bride & groom feel about each other today. Their faith in one another & maybe what they found most endearing about the other when they first met.

 

Also they may share their hopes & dreams for the future,

 

 



 

 

Although I don’t know just what those letter say I can tell you they have put a lot of thought into their love letters.

 

 

 

At the ceremony a special table is set up to hold the box, wine, love letters and any other tokens your wish to add to the box.

 

At the agreed time in your ceremony the Officiant will state the purpose of the "Love Letter & Wine Box Ceremony."

 

 

The Officiant will elaborate on the reasons for the sealed love letters, place the sealed envelopes in with the wine bottle and will speak about the exercise that you went through.

It should be emphasized that the letters have not been read by the Officiant or by anyone else.

 

 

Once everything is placed in the box it will be sealed for safe keeping until their 5^th anniversary.

 

The final step is to seal the box

 

 

 

The box can be then be nailed shut

 

or locked with keys.

The Wine Box should be opened on your 5th wedding anniversary.

There is only one other reason the box should be opened before your anniversary. If there should come a time when you hit a bumpy road in your relationship, before you give up or make any irrational decisions, open the Wine Box.

 

 

Sit down together, open the box, uncork the wine and unseal the envelopes that you wrote for one another before your wedding, go to separate rooms and quietly read the love letter.

Even if you are not seeing eye-to-eye at that very moment, it will remind you of all the reasons you choose this person as your partner and all the things that helped shape the life they've created together. Never take your blessings of being together for granted.

 

 

 

The romantic sentiments you wrote, the declaration of love, the clear thoughts about why you chose this person as your life partner will help put you back on even ground.

 

This is the perfect ritual to remind you of your wedding day and your intention to love and cherish each other in good times and bad for as long as you both shall live.

 

The hope is that there will never be a reason to have to open the box except on your anniversary with the intention to celebrate your love and how it has grown stronger though all the life has brought you.

 

Your guests will be pleased to have been a witness to something so unique and different at your wedding ceremony.

If you are interested in this Unity Ceremony please contact me for the numerous possibilities of how to incorporate it into your wedding ceremony.

samantha@heart2heart.us

919-373-4267

www.raleighweddingofficiant.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Unity Ceremony Series - Handfasting Ceremonies for modern couples

 

Tying the Knot

Handfasting Ceremonies for Modern Couples

 

 

The modern expressions, "tying the knot," "bonds of matrimony" and "hand in marriage" all hail from many ancient traditions such as  the Mayans of South America to the Hindu Vedic community of the Middle East to the Celtic culture of Scotland, tying of the hands is one of the oldest matrimonial traditions.

 

Although there are countless variations on the practice, the symbolic act typically involves fastening a couple's hands together with cording, ribbon, twine or a silk sash, prayers may be recited, readings or the couple can say their vows while fastened together.

 

Whereas this practice stems from so many cultures there are equally as many ways to perform the ceremony. The versatility of the ritual is easily adaptable to ceremonies of any faith.

 

There is nothing more delightful then to be able to offer couples so many ways to make this ceremony personally theirs alone.

A couple can not only choose the words in the ceremony but the style, colours & decorations of cord and the material used to create it.

Numerous online wedding vendors sell ready-made and custom versions.

Generally four to six feet in length, the threads can consist of any color or material and may contain specific charms, bells, gemstones or keepsake tokens attached to bless to marriage.

 

Couples often chose to create their own cord feeling that it adds a special love from each of them. Other options are including children, family and friends to add their love as well.

 

 

The wording style of the ritual can be written to fit the bride and groom’s lifestyles, faith and expression of love that is unique only to them.

Types of Handfasting Ceremonies

Christian

 

 

·         A handfasting ceremony represents everything that a Christian marriage is based on. The rope itself can even serve as a reference to Ecclesiastes 4:12 and your marriage to your fiancé also being a marriage involving God. “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

Secular or Non-Religious

 

 

 

 

The love already shared by your hearts
has been strengthened by the vows you have taken
you will be bound by your love as you are bound by your clasped hands
from now until the end of your days

 

New Age – Celtic, Buddhist, South Asian, Hindu Vedic 

 

 

 

 

Handfasting ceremonies can vary for the culture it embraces.

I am happy to discuss and research the Handfasting ceremony that encompasses everything your beliefs require.

 

There are even many options with the design of the knot to be tied around the couple’s hands.

·         Fisherman's Knot
Also known as a true lovers knot, the fisherman’s knot forms one of the most durable bonds. The binding consists of two interlocking, overhand knots that create a symmetrical figure eight. The simple knot strengthens under pressure and becomes sturdier when it gets wet.

 

·         God’s Knot
The God's Knot consist of three cords to represent the spiritual union of a husband and wife and their covenant relationship with God. During the ceremony, the couple work together to braid the three cords -- purple for the groom, white for the bride and gold for God.

Infinity Knot
According to GaiasHandfasting.com, the recipient of the 2011 and 2012 Bride’s Choice Award, Wiccan couples form the infinity symbol by crossing their arms and joining their hands, creating a figure eight. The officiant then wraps the ribbon around the couple's hands three times. While most couples choose to release the binding before the ceremony ends, some opt to wear it throughout the reception until they are able to consummate the marriage.

Mystic Knot
Among feng shui practitioners, the infinity-shaped mystic knot is believed to bless a marriage with good luck, harmony and longevity. Considered an auspicious object, the ribbon is wrapped around the couple's hands six times creating a seamless, never ending binding to symbolize the endless cycles of birth and rebirth.

Trinity Knot
The triquetra is most commonly seen in Irish wedding ceremonies. Historians estimate that the ancient Celtic symbol dates back to 600 AD. Among pagan followers, the three points represent the mother, maiden and crone, while Christians use the well-known symbol to signify the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

If you feel this Unity Ceremony rings true in your heart please contact me for the numerous possibilities of how to incorporate it into your wedding ceremony.

 

samantha@heart2heart.us

 

919-373-4267

www.raleighweddingofficiant.com

 

 

 

 

My Unity Ceremony Series - Guests Wishing-Blessing Stone Ceremony

 

Guests Wishing/Blessing Stone Ceremony

 

This can be a stand-alone ceremony or have it follow the couples Oath Stone vows

A beautiful way to include your guests in your ceremony.

 

 

Blessing or Wishing Stones are a beautiful way to allow your guests to offer well wishes and blessings to the couple during the wedding ceremony.



Each guest is given a small stone upon arriving, either personally by a designated attendant,

 

or by placing a stone on each guest's chair with instructions.

Placed on your guests wedding ceremony chairs is a stone - They can hold it and wish for things like love, happiness, prosperity, strength, family, patience, etc. for your marriage.

 

You may also have the stones in a container or on a table for the guests to select their own

 

 (Officiant)

Now that the Bride & Groom exchanged their vows you each held a stone in your hands. I now ask that you take a moment to reflect on all the well wishes, and happy thoughts you want for the new couple. This energy is thought to then go into the stone and fill it with love and happiness.

 

 

When the guests exit the seating area they can leave the stones in a basket or decorative vase.

 

 

 

After the wedding, give these stones a special place in your home to remind you of the vows taken on your wedding day.

However they are displayed, they will always be a precious keepsake of a special occasion in your life.

 

 

Other Options:

 

Using stones that have pre-printed words on them such as; happiness, laughter, joy & Peace.

 

 

Asking your guests to write a wish on the stone with a sharpie pen possibly replacing the guest book.

 Choosing Gem Stones for your guests to hold. Rose Quartz means love, Tigers Eye means clear thinking, Adventurine means prosperity and there are so many more to add to the magic of your day.

 

Don’t forget to read my blog about the Oath Stone Vows that accompanies this ceremony perfectly!

I welcome any & all comments, questions and new ideas so please feel free to post your comments below or contact me anytime.

Samantha@heart2heart.us

919-373-4267

www.raleighweddingofficiant.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



My Unity Ceremony Series - The Oath Stone Vows

The Oath Stone Vows 



 

 

 

The Oathing Stone will add a memorable highlight to your wedding ceremony while exchanging your vows and will surround your special day with an aura of magic that will last throughout eternity.

 

 

Embrace the old European tradition… The Oathing Stone was once thought to be the best way to express your solemn promise or vow in the physical form.

 

While you and your groom are reciting your vows, your groom is holding the oath stone in one hand, and your hand is on top of the stone, so now the both of you have your hands on the stone while you are reciting your vows. It is believed that holding the stone during the reading of the vows casts them into the stone.

 

You may wish to include the words of a special Celtic Blessing for the bride and groom:

Above you are the stars, below you are the stones.
As time passes, remember...
Like a star should your love be constant,
Like the earth should your love be firm.
Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect
guide you in your marriage,
Let the strength of your wills bind you together,
Let the power of love and desire make you happy
and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable.
Possess one another, yet be understanding.
Have patience with each other,
For storms will come, and they will go quickly,
Forced to dissipate in the light of your love.
Be free in giving of affection and of warmth.
Have no fear, and let not the ways
Or words of the unenlightened give you unease.
For your love is with you,
Now and always!

 

This ceremony can be a followed by the Guests Blessing/Wishing Stone Ceremony that will truly bring everyone together.

Please read the next in my series about including the Guests Blessing/Wishing Stone Ceremony

 

If you have any comments, questions or unique ideas about this ceremony please contact me anytime.

Samantha@heart2heart.us

919-373-4267

www.raleighweddingofficiant.com