14 unity ceremony ideas for your wedding!
According to The Knot, “A wedding unity ceremony is a symbolic act included in a wedding ceremony that honors a couple’s commitment to each other. It’s common to include a unity ceremony after saying vows and before exchanging wedding rings, but you can weave it into the schedule at any time. “
These wedding rituals, should you choose to do one, are a great way to customize your marriage. From cultural and religious traditions to personalized and sentimental acts of love, they are all so beautiful and will leave you with a lasting memory of your most favorite day. We’ve rounded up 14 great unity ceremony ideas to help you choose one that best represents your relationship. Keep scrolling to see them all!
Sealing Love Letters
What could be more romantic than a love letter? After all, Noah wrote Allie 365 letters, one each day for a year in the classic love movie – The Notebook. These heartfelt written words will be sealed in a box, locked away to only be read on a special anniversary. Whether that’d be in 5, 10, 15 or 25 years later.
Wedding Wine Box
For all of our big wine lovers out there, the wine box unity ceremony is a perfect one for you! Choose a wine that holds a special place in your hearts, and along with any other accompanying items such as love letters, place it in the box. This one can be opened on a special anniversary as well.
Tree Planting
We love the symbolic meaning behind this one. When planting a tree, it represents your relationship taking root, growing and then flourishing as you become a family. Pro tip: bring soil from the place that you both grew up or the place you met to add an extra personalized touch.
Jumping The Broom
Jumping the broom unity happens AFTER you have exchange vows and have said your “I Do’s.” There are historical variations regarding the origin of this ritual. Some believe it was meant to ward off evil spirits and some used it as a way to validate their marriage when it was not easily available for them at that time.
A Cord of Three Strands
The three strands are braided together into a single cord. It symbolizes the joining of both marriers and God into a marriage. Taken from the bible verse Ecclesiastes 4:12, the couple promises to keep God at the center of their marriage as they are weaving the braids in front of their loved ones.
Breaking Of The Glass
This is a Jewish Tradition where the Groom steps on a thin glass (though some couples do it together) that is inside a cloth bag in order to break it. This can be performed right before or right after the kiss. Traditionally this is how a Jewish ceremony would end instead of a kiss.
Sand Blending
The blending of sand is one of the more popular unity ceremonies chosen by couples alongside a candle lighting ceremony. The couple would blend grains of sand in different colors to represent two people coming together in a marriage. Once blended in a single vessel is symbolizes the couples hopes, values and dreams.
Wine Blending
The most common way a couple would perform a wine blending unity ceremony is by pouring a white wine and a red wine into a single glass. The couple would then drink from that glass which represents the richness of life and persistence in times of happiness and in times of sorrow. Pro tip: taste the wine combination prior to your ceremony!
Candle Lighting
In this popular unity ceremony, the couple would light one large candle from two smaller candles to symbolize the merging of their two families. Often time it would be an honorary family member from each side that would light the smaller candles prior to the unity ceremony.
Unity Puzzle
This is a fun one and can be completely customized. The couple would take the separate puzzle pieces and join them together to represent the building of life together. These puzzles come in various shapes, sizes, colors and can be personalized with your names, wedding date and a marital quote.
Unity Ceremony Sandwich
Yup, you heard that right! This is a sweet and sentimental unity ceremony where the couple chooses their favorite sandwich to make together during the ceremony. We have seen a couple choose to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and then each one took a bite to represent their perfect pairing.
Butterfly Release
The butterfly release is a romantic ceremony that symbolizes new beginnings and rebirth. Butterflies are known for being beautiful, gentle and graceful. They will be loved by your guests and are quite photogenic!
Handfasting
The handfasting ceremony is an ancient Celtic ritual. Each of your hands are tied together to symbolize the joining of your lives. A braided cord or ribbon are often used for this unity.
Communion
This is a Christian wedding tradition where the couple takes communion to acknowledge that God will be at the center of their marriage. Often times the couple will bring a special wine cup and bread plate for this ceremony.
14 Unity Ceremony Ideas. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok for more real wedding inspiration and planning tips. Ready to book your personal tour at our all-inclusive wedding venue? Call or text us today at 813.651.0934 or email our Wedding Specialist at info@crosscreekranchfl.com.