Wedding unity ceremonies can be incorporated into your day for religious, cultural or personal reasons. Some of these popular traditions have religious roots, but many others can be adapted easily to secular weddings. Whether it’s lighting candles or breaking glass, this guide will show you all the best options if you’re looking to add a personal touch to your day. Read on for our pick of the Top 17 Wedding unity ceremony ideas and their meanings.
When should the unity ceremony be?
Usually, unity ceremonies are performed before the vows and first kiss. But remember, the order of service will depend on the religious or cultural significance of the ceremony.
Who’s included in the unity ceremony?
For many cultural and religious ceremonies, family members and loved ones are usually involved. However, for secular ceremonies, who you include is entirely up to you! It’s very common to include your children, especially if you and your partner are blending families.
Religious ceremony ideas
Cord of three strands
This ceremony is extremely popular and has Biblical origins from Ecclesiastes 4:12. The three strands represent yourself, your partner and God joining as one in a knot that is the most difficult to destroy. You can also turn the cord into a keepsake as a memory of your special day.
Foot washing ceremony
Inspired by John 13: 1-17, foot washing is a Christian wedding ritual that symbolises the couples’ humility and commitment to each other, similar to how Jesus washed his disciples’ feet.
Breaking the glass
This ceremony is a Jewish tradition and takes place after the Rabbi announces the couple as married. Glass is wrapped and placed on the floor and the groom smashes it with his foot, followed by all the guests cheering ‘Mazel Tov!’ Traditionally, it is believed that the couple will stay married for as long as the glass remains shattered, however, some believe it’s a representation of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Stefana Crowns
A Greek Orthodox tradition where crowns are placed on the bride and grooms heads, along with blessings being said. The crowns are exchanged between the partners three times before they are tied together, this is a symbol of the strong and unbreakable bond between the newlyweds.
Saptapadi
This unity ceremony occurs at most Hindu weddings. Saptapadi means seven steps, and is used as a symbol of the seven vows of Hinduism. The ceremony takes place around a sacred fire and beneath a mandap, a square structure that is traditionally decorated with florals and vivid fabrics. The couple holds hands and take seven steps around the fire, changing who leads, and when all the steps are complete, the couple are married.
Jumping over a broom
It’s believed that this tradition has roots in western African weddings and Wiccan communities, dating back to the 18th Century. At the end of the ceremony, once it is announced that the couple is officially married, the couple jump over a broomstick. This symbolises a fresh start and a new life together, sweeping away their old lives.
Handfasting ceremony
This Celtic wedding tradition has medieval roots and included the couples’ hands being bonded together with ribbons as a representation of their union. Every colour ribbon has its own meaning, for example, red for passion and white for purity.
Chinese Tea Ceremony
At this Chinese traditional ceremony, the couple will pour cups of tea and present them to important family members, such as parents and grandparents. This usually happens privately and before the actual wedding ceremony, it symbolises the unity of the two families.
Ring Warming
This ceremony is though to be traditionally Irish or Gaelic. The couples’ wedding bands are passed around by guests at the ceremony- this is the warming of the rings. Each guest holds the rings for a short period of time and some may opt to say a silent prayer. The rings are then returned to the couple and are believed to be full of blessings and positivity for a happy marriage.
Burying the bourbon
If you’re hoping for a sunny wedding day– then this is the tradition for you! Believed to have its origins in Southern traditions, this ceremony is said to prevent bad weather on your big day. One month before the wedding, the couple should dig a hole at the ceremony site and bury a bottle of bourbon upside down- and voila! You should have a sunny wedding day! After the wedding ceremony, the couple digs up the bottle and can enjoy it!
Water pouring ceremony
This is a Thai tradition that’s believed to be a symbol of good luck. During this ceremony, the couple sit at a table and are given headdresses that usually have cords connecting them. The couple put their palms together and position them over trays to catch water. Elder relatives use a conch shell to pour the blessed water over the newlyweds’ hands.
Secular unity ceremony ideas
Candle ceremony
A relatively new tradition that is believed to have started about 30 or 40 years ago. The lighting of a unity candle is a representation of the two people and their families coming together. Taper candles are usually lit by the mothers from both families and after the ceremony, the couple lights the pillar candle with the flames of the taper candles.
Sand Pouring
Although its origins are relatively ambiguous, sand pouring is one of the most popular wedding traditions today. This is where couples have two separate beakers of usually different coloured sand and they pour them into one vessel, creating a layered and unique pattern. This symbolises the eternal unity of the two people, as the colours would be impossible to separate. This tradition is exceptionally popular with beach weddings and it’s also common to use sand from special locations for the couple.
Time Capsules
Despite being a new tradition, time capsules are incredibly romantic. Before the wedding, the couple will write love notes to each other and put them in a box, alongside wine, champagne or any other keepsakes. The box can then be opened on an anniversary or milestone.
Bottle of wine ceremony
Wine has been symbolically used for centuries, representing life and prosperity. The most common way to incorporate wine into a ceremony is to have one carafe of white wine and one carafe of red wine. After the ceremony, the couple can pour the wines into a third carafe, creating a blend of the two. The bride and groom will then sip the blended wine- this symbolises the unity of their lives.
Planting a tree
This a symbol of a couples’ new life together and is a great way to customise your wedding. The care of a sapling tree symbolises the importance of nurturing each other throughout the marriage. You can choose a certain tree that you feel represents your relationship best, for example, a cherry blossom for good fortune. During the ceremony, you and your partner will take turns to water and add soil to the seedling.
Paint pouring
One for the creative couples out there! This paint pouring ceremony is a super fun way to add a personal touch to your wedding. The idea is simple yet very romantic; you and your partner each have different colours of paints that are poured over a blank canvas, representing your two lives coming together. The result is a unique piece of art that will always remind you of your special day.
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