So many couples get married in a haze of tradition and habit simply because their parents did it and that’s the way it’s done because, well, that’s the way it’s done. How many of you stop to think about what a wedding is? It’s not the end of a story, or the culmination of a courtship, it’s actually just the beginning of a couple’s journey together, a celebration and it’s a big deal.
This is why it’s important to mark this occasion with a ritual to show your commitment to one another. You’re not just mindlessly following tradition without taking in the meaning, you’ve actually thought about what you’re doing to the extent that you’ve brought in a ritual specially to demonstrate your promises to one another.
Here’s a few ideas you could mull over and if any resonate with you, then they could make your wedding day even more special and meaningful.
Light a fire together
This is an old African custom that represents the joining of two families. Traditionally, a flame from both family’s hearths would be brought together to make one fire, but you could get together with both sets of in-laws to spark it up.
Gather round
This is great for smaller weddings as it involves the guests forming a circle with the bride and groom. Every participant shares their thoughts on the happy couple – it’s a Quaker tradition, so you don’t have to speak up if you don’t want to.
Get pagan with a handfasting
This ancient Celtic wedding ceremony involves the couple tying their hands together in a figure of eight to represent eternity. If you have an especially important fabric to fasten your hands together then even better.
Plant a tree together
There’s few things in life more steadfast than a tree so planting one together on your wedding day is hopefully a sign of your lasting commitment to one another. If you can, bring together two separate containers of soil from your family gardens to bed in the tree.
