Unity Rituals

It is funny to hear the term unity ritual mentioned as just a part of the nuptials since the whole wedding ceremony IS a unity ritual. Think about it. The whole point of having a wedding ceremony is to symbolically and legally bring two people’s lives together. Isn’t that what a unity ritual is?

Nowadays though, the term unity ritual is being used to refer specifically to a part of the ceremony that visually shows the merging of the couple. They emphasize that weddings are about two lives creating a new family, blending into a new whole.

The most familiar version of this ritual is the unity candle. The bride and groom are each given lighted tapered candles. The next step is for them to light a bigger candle which they call the “unity candle” at the same time using the tapered candles they are holding.

Another version of the unity ritual uses liquid. The bride and groom are each given a bottle of wine and they both pour into a single glass together. They then share the glass of wine.

A variation of this ritual uses water instead of wine. The waters are tinted different colors for the bride and groom. As the water is poured into a bowl or glass, the two colors merge to form a third which represent the blending of the couple.

Working with colors appeals to many couples as it is beautiful to look at. Not all brides though are thrilled with the thought of having a bottle of dye (diluted though it may be) anywhere near their dress. They’d prefer to keep their wedding gown white so instead of water, they choose a different element

The replacement for water in many cases is sand. This is particularly apt for beach weddings but you can use it even if you’re getting married in the city, the country or in the park. In short, you can use it anywhere.

All you need are two packs of colored sand. Like the water, the colors are different for the bride and groom. At the appropriate time, they each pick up their smaller bottles and pour its contents into either a bowl, glass or a bigger bottle. The colored sands make pretty patterns as they mix and settle.

In Catholic weddings, the couple is covered with a single piece of tulle. It is pinned to the shoulder of the groom and placed over the brides head, cloaking them as one. Then a cord is placed over their shoulders of the couple. The cord can be made from flowers, coins or silk and is shaped into a figure eight. This symbolizes that the union is meant to be eternal or as Buzz Lightyear says, “to infinity and beyond”.

Some couples exchange rings. Others exchange leis or garlands. It basically says I choose to give myself to you and accept your gift of self as well. No matter what method or items is used, isn’t the meaning the same?

Just choose the unity ritual that suits you best. Just don’t forget to check with your officiant that it can be integrated into your ceremony.

[tags]wedding,wedding ceremony,unity ritual,beach,water,leis,union,symbolism[/tags]