Crafting a meaningful ceremony can be important for a number of reasons. It allows you and your partner to express your love and commitment in a deeply personal and unique way, and can create memories that you and your guests will be able to cherish forever. It also provides the opportunity to incorporate traditions, rituals and even include your loved ones, bringing in a sense of continuity and connection. Follow these steps by Wedding Celebrant and founder of Ibiza Soul Ceremonies, Wendy Van Craenenbroeck, for couples looking to make their big moment even more unique and heartwarming.
Incorporate rituals:
Symbolic rituals do not just need to feature within religious services, it can provide an opportunity for you to include new and personal elements to your ceremony. For example, handfasting is a very popular option that couples choose. Handfasting is a ritual which symbolises the union and commitment of two people intertwining their lives together. Couples can choose a special ribbon or material that means something special to them, and have this wrapped in a figure of eight around both their hands to represent eternal love, unity and togetherness.
Likewise, ring warming is a special option where the rings are passed around guests before reaching the couple. Loved ones pass the rings around from the back to the front, infusing the rings with good intention and well wishes.
If you’re getting married abroad, or by the sea, you could do a sand ceremony, where couples pour sand from separate vessels into a single vessel. It represents the joining of two individuals, and the creation of a new union. What’s more, you can keep the vessel for years to come.
Personalise your vows:
Wendy recommends for couples to have a deep think about their personal vows and promises before writing them. Reveal your love story – it creates an emotional connection and a shared experience for all. Include insights into how you met, some of your best memories together, and any challenges that you have overcome. Have a think about what makes your partner so special. Being able to read your personal vows to your room of loved ones is a very sacred and special thing.
Some people do not like public speaking and feel too vulnerable which is of course fine. Instead, you can write each other a letter to open the morning of your wedding with personalised messages.
Don’t forget your guests:
Including loved ones within your ceremony can create memories, and gets your guests involved in your big day as well. Having them share personalised readings and self-written poems is a clever way of including your nearest and dearest.
They can also play key roles, such as somebody acting as the ringbearer, or playing music during the ceremony as you walk down the aisle. It’s your opportunity to surprise people, and add that extra layer of personalisation.
READ NEXT: Celebrant vs Registrar: How Do You Know What’s Right For You?
