Types of Unity Ceremonies

Unity ceremonies are used to unite or bring together two different individuals. They symbolize the joining of two different people to become one.

Coastal California Weddings provides a variety of unity ceremonies to incorporate into your wedding.

The Unity Candle

For this ceremony, there are 3 candles – two small candles and one large candle. The bride takes one of the small candles and the groom takes the other. The minister or a friend or family member lights the candles. Then words are said and the bride and groom light the larger candle together from their individual candles, and then extinguish their candles. The symbolism is that the two will now burn as one.

Sand Ceremony

Each person getting married picks a color of sand they’d like. Two bottles or vases are filled with the selected color of sand. The bride selects one vase of sand while the groom selects the other. Each vase is then poured into a single vase by the two people, merging the sand colors and creating the sand as one, new creation.

Love Letters

Before the couple gets married, they each write a love letter to each other. During the ceremony, the letters are gathered and put into a special box.  The box is not opened until the couples first anniversary as an reminder of the love they shared on their wedding day.

Shell Ceremony

Each guest is given a shell when they arrive to the wedding. They are asked to hold the shell and to make a wish for the couple. The shells are then collected during the ceremony and the couple are given sand and pebbles to mix with the shells.

Salt Ceremony

I like this ceremony since it is a little unique and has to do with cooking. The bride takes salt from her own bag of salt and the groom takes salt from his bag of salt. Then the salt is poured into one container. The salt is to be used to sprinkle a pinch of love over the food the couple prepares. The pinch of salt symbolizes as extra pinch of affection added to bring the couple closer together and deepen the love they share.

Tree Planting Ceremony

A tree, soil, and container is provided for the couple to plant together. The tree symbolizes the couple’s love that needs to be cared for, fertilized, watered, and pruned, in order to grow into a healthy marriage.

Unity Flowers

Flowers for the guests are placed in a large vase. When the time comes, the guests are asked to select a flower and then make two circles around the couple with the flowers – one circle around the bride and one around the groom. The circles should be touching. The unity flowers are around the couple for the rest of the ceremony and symbolize how two families are joined together.

The 13 Gold Coins

The groom gives the bride 13 coins to symbolize that he will care for and provide for her. The bride accepts the coins and pledges to put her trust and confidence in her new husband. The coins are a Spanish tradition, signifying the groom’s support for his new bride. The coins represent Christ and his 12 apostles.

Breaking of a Glass

The couple breaks a glass during the ceremony and the number of pieces the glass is broken into is supposed to signify the number of years the couple will be happily married.

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