1. Unity candles
Probably the most common of unity ceremonies, this ceremony really starts at the seating of the mothers. They come to the front, either together or individually as they enter to be seated, and they each light a taper that is located on a table. There will be a taper for the bride and one for the groom. At the appropriate point in the ceremony, the bride and groom step to that table and together light the large pillar candle at the center of the table. They then either extinguish their taper, symbolizing an end to a private, individualized life, or place them. still lit, back into the candleholders, symbolizing that though they are now one, they still retain a life as an individual. There are two major drawbacks to this ceremony: it does not work well in outdoor settings especiallly in bright sunlight; and it is not easy to include children, if there are any.
2. Unity water or sand
This ceremony is very similar to the candle ceremony. Containers of differently colored sand or water are placed on a table by each of the mothers. At the appropriate point in the wedding, the bride and groom pour those containers into a larger container in the center of the table. At the point when both pour sand together, the colors blend to symbolize the blending of their lives together. A drawback to water is that when the colors mix, there is no individuation. The sand should be tamped to be as solid as possible, and then sealed with a layer of paraffin. Note that the sand ceremony, especially, works well for including children. They can have their own color of sand and give evidence that they are part of the blending of this family into a unit. The container of sand can then be proudly displayed in the home wherever the family resides from then on.
3. Unity wine
Similar to the unity sand ceremony at the start, in that the mothers each bring a carafe of wine and pour some into glasses on each side of a table, symbolizing the joy of the birth of their children who are now about to be married. (In the Jewish tradition, wine is a symbol of joy, and is used on joyous or festive occasions.) At the appropriate point in the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom step to each side of the table and pour some of the wine from the containers into a central wine glass. They may then each drink from the glass. If they wish, they may then place the empty glass under a cloth, and smash it. In some traditions, the more pieces into which the glass shatters, the greater the good luck the couple will have in their life together. Or they may choose to pour the wine into a central opening of a Native American wedding jar, and then drink from the 2 side openings.
4. Coins, cord and veil
Derived from primarily Mexican and Filipino traditions, this ceremony is a bit more elaborate. It will involve sponsors for each of the elements -- 1 for the coins, 2 for the cord, and 2 for the veil. These sponsors will be friends or family who are involved in the lives of the couple. There are 13 coins, symbolizing the 13 virtues on which a marriage is based. These are in a pouch given to the groom by the sponsor. He shakes them out into his hand, then passes them to the bride as a symbol that he is taking responsibility to provide for her. She then passes them back to him, symbolizing her acceptance of her part in the care and provision for the family that they are establishing. He then pours them into a metal tray on a nearby table. All of this is done with as much rattling of the coins as possible. The cord sponsors then approach and place a cord or rosary, shaped into a horizontal figure 8 around the couple. This symbolizes the bride and groom uniting their efforts as a unit, and the shape of the cord forms the mathematical symbol for infinity. On top of that cord is the veil, placed around their shoulders and pinned there by the veil sponsors, and symbolizing the groom's acceptance of his role as the family protector. the couple may be either standing or kneeling for the cord and veil ceremonies. A prayer is then offered, usually by a family patriarch. The veil sponsors then come and remove the veil, followed by the cord sponsors removing the cord
5. Glass unity sculture
This ceremony is similar to the unity sand, with the major exception that I am here providing a link to the person who supplies the glass beads and does the work. A couple orders the glass beads form him in the colors they specify, then the beads are sent to him for his glass artistry. The website to get more information is unityinglass.com and the cost is $379.00 paid to him.See the site for full details, but it is a terrific idea.
6. Handfasting
Commonly considered to be from Celtic or Norse traditions, this involves loosely tying the hands of the couple together in a symbolic union. There may be a series of questions that can be used as vows or pledges. The color chosen for the ribbon or cord has significance as well. There is a brief introduction to the history of this ceremony and the vestigial expressions that linger in current language about weddings, sucn as asking for the bride's hand in marriage, or "tying the knot" to refer to the wedding ceremony.
6. Handfasting
Commonly considered to be from Celtic or Norse traditions, this involves loosely tying the hands of the couple together in a symbolic union. There may be a series of questions that can be used as vows or pledges. The color chosen for the ribbon or cord has significance as well. There is a brief introduction to the history of this ceremony and the vestigial expressions that linger in current language about weddings, sucn as asking for the bride's hand in marriage, or "tying the knot" to refer to the wedding ceremony.