Sample Ceremony

Cherations
C. A. Brigham
11 Newman St
Hampton, NH 03842
cherations@yahoo.com

Mailing Address:

Unique Ceremonies

Unity Candle Ceremony

A Unity Candle Ceremony can be added to any wedding
ceremony. The lighting of the one Unity Candle with the 2
tapered candles is a visible symbol of a couple’s
commitment to each other. It is placed near the end of the
ceremony, following the Exchange of Rings. The mothers
of the bride and groom can light the two tapered candles as
they are escorted to their seats at the beginning of the
ceremony. The lighting of the Unity Candle is usually
followed by the pronouncement of the couple as husband
and wife.

Officiant says:
"___________________ and ________________ the two
lighted candies symbolize your separate lives, your
separate families and your separate sets of friends. I ask
that you each take one candle and that together you light
the center candle. The individual candles represent your
individual lives before today. Lighting the center candle
represents that your two lives are now joined to one light,
and represents the joining together of your two families and
sets of friends to one."

Reading after the lighting:
May the blessing of light,
Be with you always,
Light without and light within.
And may the sun shine
Upon you and warm your heart
Until it glows
Like a great fire
So that others may feel
The warmth of your love
For one another.
(Adapted from an Irish Blessing)

		Children can be included in the lighting of the Unity
		Candle by having the bride and groom light the taper for the children and then everyone lighting the center candle together.

		Couples like to keep their Unity Candle and relight
		it on special occasions, such as their anniversary.

Hand Ceremony

In the hand ceremony, the officiant invites the bride and groom to view the hands of the other as a gift.

As an expression that your hearts are joined together in love - will you please face each other and hold
hands, so you may feel the gift that you are to one another.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours
on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the
slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still
giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Blessing after:
“Our prayer for you today is that both of you will use these hands to build a marriage where all your
dreams come true.”

Rose Ceremony

In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride & Groom give each other a Rose. Two roses are all that is necessary.
The Rose Ceremony is placed at the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced husband and
wife. A rose has always been considered as a symbol of love and a single rose has always meant only
one thing – it means “I Love You.” Often, couples will stop on their exit and hand the mother of the bride
and groom each their Rose, whispering “I Love You” before proceeding with their exit. Additional roses
may also be given to grandparents, sisters and other special guests.

Sand Ceremony

The Sand Ceremony is based in Native American tradition, is similar to the Unity Candle but offers a
beautiful and meaningful alternative for an outdoor wedding. At the appropriate point in the ceremony, the
couple each takes a vial of colored sand and pours their sand into the central container.

“To symbolize the importance of the individuals within the marriage and the joining of two lives into one
entity, three colors of sand will now be layered into a vase.”
(Give Bride clear jar of pink sand, then Groom a clear jar of blue sand. The Officiant has one small clear jar
filled with a neutral colour sand and a large empty jar).
“We begin with a layer of neutral sand which symbolizes that the marriage is grounded.”
(Officiant pours a little of the neutral sand into the jar)
“Then we layer the individual colors. This symbolizes that the marriage is based on the strength of the
individuals.”
(Groom pours a little of the blue sand in first, followed by a little more of the neutral sand from the Officiant.
Bride then adds a little pink sand, followed by some additional neutral sand from the Officiant).
“And now we combine the colors, which symbolizes two lives joined as one together forever.”
(Groom and Bride simultaneously pour their remaining sand into the large jar until their jars are empty. The
Officiant caps off the sand with the last of the neutral sand. The Officiant then holds the large jar up as if
presenting to the wedding audience and places the jar to the side).

		Children can be included in the Sand Ceremony by giving them their own colored sand to pour in the
		central container.