Rituals and Elements – Celebrant Kate

RITUALS & ELEMENTS

01.

HANDFASTING

Tying your hands together is an ancient custom, also known as hand fasting. From modern to Pagan, this is a wonderful ceremony and popular across the globe. You may like to create your own or I can help you to find the perfect supplier if you prefer.

02.

JUMPING THE BROOM

The earliest accounts of jumping or stepping over a broom to signify marriage date back to the 1700s. Couples married over a broom as their beliefs prevented them from being officially joined in matrimony in the eyes of the Church. It is a fantastic way to finish a ceremony – looks fantastic in photos too!

You can create your own broom or I will decorate one for you in your chosen colours.

03.

OATHING/NAMING STONE

Oathing stones are often held by a couple during their vows, or by the parents during their promises to their baby.

The ancient Celts believed that stones symbolised eternity, and that a vow or promise made holding a stone was all the more binding.

04.

SAND CEREMONY

Celebrate the joining of your family with a unity sand ceremony in the colours of your choice, or just say a simple ‘I still do’ – the choice is yours. Sand ceremonies are popular for weddings and for baby naming ceremonies and are a fantastic way to represent everyone who was there to celebrate your special day with you.

05.

UNITY CANDLE

Unity candles can be used for weddings, vow renewals and baby naming ceremonies. You begin by lighting a single candle each, to represent your individuality, you then light a joint candle, representing your united lives as a couple or as a family. I can either provide them for you at cost or point you towards some wonderful suppliers who will create your candle just for you.

06. The Quaich, also known as the loving cup. This is an ancient Celtic ceremony. After your vows, you each take a handle of the cup, and give each other your first drink of your married life. Traditionally people drank Whisky or Mead, but you can choose your own contents. It is sometimes paired with cake, as part of a cake and ale ceremony., which is a medieval ceremony involving a handfasted couple serving each other and then their guests with honey cake whilst still handfasted, as their first test of married life!

07. Cocktail ceremonies

Symbolising the blending of your lives as you commit to each other, this ceremony involves either creating your own cocktail or making your favourite one. Often couples choose to include their guests in the fun!