Mini Ceremonies

 Handfasting is an old folkloric ritual and can be a stand-alone ritual or as part of a wedding ceremony and can be adapted to suit the wedding couple. One of its original meanings was as a betrothal or engagement. It symbolises the bringing together of the two hearts in a marriage of love, strength, and unity. The couple’s hands are bound together in marriage by using cords or ribbons tied in a knot: this is why it is often referred to as 'tying the knot'. 

 The couple take one glass of red and one glass of white and blend in another glass to create a rose/blush wine which they then both take a drink from. Alternatively, their favourite wine (or other drink) can be poured into just one glass from which they both take a drink (loving cup) 

 At the start of the wedding ceremony, the two wedding rings are tied to a handkerchief, a twig or piece of cord, a rose, etc and passed around the guests. Each guest holds the rings in their hand for a brief moment, to infuse the rings with their love and best wishes before passing to the next guest. The rings make their way forward to the couple in time for the ring ceremony (hopefully they don't get mislaid on the way!) 

 There are many ways to use candles in a ceremony, here’s just one for you to think about.

Three candles are placed on the table (I like to use 1 large and 2 smaller ones) The two smaller ones are lit at the beginning of the ceremony to symbolise the couple. When the couple have made their vows, they both take their candle and together light the large candle symbolising when two become one!

 Sand of two different colours is poured by the couple into one container (never to be separated) to symbolise the joining of the couple. This is also a lovely ritual to have when you want children to be involved in the ceremony. The sand symbolises the joining of both families and each member could have different coloured sand. Also good for the new in-laws to be involved too. 

  In a literal sense, jumping the broom entails a couple jumping over a broom to demonstrate their union. They could jump over the same broom together holding hands or less commonly lay a broom in front of one another and jump over each other’s broom either individually or at the same time.