Greater Toronto Area Wedding Officiant
(Servicing Toronto, York, Durham, Peel, Halton Regions and Surrounding Areas)
I DO CUSTOM WEDDINGS
The Reverend Dr. Pipe Major Kenneth B. Bice CD D.D. KGSJ ("The Piping Padre")
Contact information: e-Mail: ken.bice@idocustomweddings.com or ken.bice@bell.net
or
By Telephone at my residence at (905) 852-0344 or on my Cell Phone at (647) 227-6232
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Toronto Wedding Officiant Sample Ceremonies
There are a number basic formats for wedding ceremonies or reaffirmation or renewal of vows ceremonies or engagement ceremonies::
Civil
Non-denomination which is a ceremony which is spiritual in nature referencing God but based on a specific religious denomination or faith
Denomination for specific religious traditions referencing God and Jesus Christ based on a denomination of your choice and can include Holy Communion
Inter-faith are marriages between two culture coming together. We have various cultural ceremonies which can be incorporate for Buddhist, Filipino, Jewish, Celtic
and other cultural traditions.
Themed which are ceremonies with a particular theme running through it, such as a Celtic (Scottish/Irish/Welsh), Sports, Rennaisaunce, Movie, Christmas, St. Patricks
Day or other as specified.
Simple Singing - legal requirement and signing of marriage documents good for elopements, cost effective weddings and for pre or post destination weddings to
ensure you are legally married.
Sample Ceremony (Basic Flow)
Processional
Opening Remarks
Asking who present Bride to be Married to Groom (optional)
Address to Family and Guests
Address to Couple
Reading(s) (optional)-one or more reading can be present by family or friends, sons or daughters.. This is an excellent way to include someone not in the bridal part.
If you do not have anyone to do a reading or reading the officiant can do them for you. Reading can be wedding poems, general poems, from the
scriptures or any other words of wisdom that may be given to the couple. We provide you with a number of samples.
Intent and Consent of Couple (legal requirement)
Affirmation of Family and Guests (optional) - you know "Does anyone know any just cause why these two cannot be legally married? - we use something more
modern here, such as asking the family and guests if they support your decision to get married and wish you a wonderfull
life together.
Min-ceremonies often added at this point and in other locations - as many as you wish (optional)
Vows - you can use on of the samples sets of vows or be creative and write your own - we keep them confidential from your partner if you wish. You can also use a
standard set of vows and include your own personal words as well.
Ring Exchange - one or two rings (normally) you can used one the sample sets or again be creative and write your own words for the ring exchange
Blessing of the Rings (optional)
More Mini-ceremonies often are added at this point as well (optional)
Affirmation of the Marriage
Blessing of the Marriage (optional)
Declaration of Couple being Married (legal requirement)
Signing of Marriage Documents - Marriage Licence, Record of Soleminzation of Marriage and Marriage Register (by Couple, Witnesses and Officiant)
Introduction of Couple as Married
Recessional begins.
Cultural and Inter-faith ceremonies which are custom crafted to include traditions and ceremonies from the two cultures or faiths.
There are also a number of mini ceremonies and cultural / inter-faith listed below:: (see below)
Have you ever wondered about SOMETHING BORROWED and SOMETHING BLUE (see information following the mini ceremony samples)
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ROSE CERMONY (for couples, mothers, children or couples including the mothers or couples including the children or couples including mothers and children)
A single red rose always means "I Love You" two roses shared by the couple show each ones individual love for one another as they exchange their first gift to each other as a couple united in marriage.
CANDLE CEREMONY (with participation of couple only or including the mothers or other family representatives to assist in lighting the two single candles)
The two out side or smaller candles are lit representing the two families from whence the couple came and their own individual uniqueness. The centre unity candle or large candle when lit from the other two candles represent both the families and the couple coming together as one and as the single flame from the unity candle cannot be divided neither should the couples lives or marriage be divided.
SAND CEREMONY (with participation of couple only or including the mothers or other family representative to assist in preparing the sand from the two families)
The Sands of Time spent as individuals now come together brining each persons own experiences to the marriage relationship and commemorate the past, with a joint agreement to come together equally in the marriage and to build upon the foundation of their own individual experiences with new experiences as they travel this lifetime together as the Sands of Time continue to provide new life lessons and experiences to the couple their relationship and family life grows.
The sand (different colours often one is white and the other possibly a colour similar to the dresses worn in the bridal party) may be prepared by having the family representative, usually the mothers but could be another family member or close friends) or simply be on the ceremony table waiting for the couple to mix the sand together if this ceremony is only to include the couple. The sand ceremony, like the candle ceremony represent the two families from which the couple come from representing the unifying or coming together of the familes as well as the coming together of the couple in a unified marriage.
The use of the sand ceremony provide the couple with a decorative container of the mixed sand which can be on display in their family home as a wonderful reminder of their wedding day.
FLOWER CEREMONY (with the participation of family members from each family being united in marriage along with the couple)
The Flower Ceremony is one that allows members of both families to participate in the wedding ceremony even though they are not part of the bridal party. Roses or various other flowers can be provided to members of the couples family. At a point in the ceremony the family members may be asked to share their love for the couple by placing a flower in a central vase. The family members could purchase their own unique flower to place in the vase thus creating a spectacular and unique floral arrangement (don't forget to get some pictures of the arrangement for you wedding album). If you have a large number of family members attending, you may wish to have more than one vase for each family (possibly different coloured vases) and the two families create their own unique floral arrangement to represent their love of the couple. This can take place when the family and friends are asked if they support the marriage. If you wish to have everyone place a flower, then possibly a third or fourth vase for friends of the couple could be used as well. Again, remember to get pictures of these arrangements for your wedding album.
WINE CEREMONY
There are various forms of this ceremony using one glass for toasts by the couple or two glasses where the couple may have different wines which they drink from the one cup and then intertwine their arms and drink from the other's cup with toasts during each drink. There could be more wine glasses used depending on the number of participants, such as including the parents, siblings, children (old enough to drink that is) or may have other meanings associated with in as part of your ceremony.
HANDS CEREMONY - Which may include a blessing of the hands or the meaning of the hands of the couple to each other.
This ceremony is often called "Hand of the Bride and Groom" or can be simply a ceremony which explains what each partners hands mean to the other in their marriage. Often someone reads the meanings of the hands (possibly the mothers or the witnesses). The couple take turn holding the other's hands with their palm up and the other's palms down. The person with their palms down on the other's is the one who's hands are being explained. The Blessing of the hands is the joining together of the hands of the couple and the minister or officiant then covers the couples hands with theirs and does a blessing.
CULUTURAL and FAMILY TRADITIONS (Often important and not to be forgotten, CULTURAL,FAITH or simply a FAMILY TRADITION the you hold dearly)
Various Cultural Traditions often Observed by couples, inter-faith marriages, family traditions or a new tradition for your family.
Celtic (Scottish, Irish, Welsh)
HAND FASTING or HAND TYING This is an old tradition from the Celtic people. Often used with Celtic wedding or engagement ceremonies.
The Celtic People often used this ceremony to bind the hearts, minds, bodies and soul's of the couple. The ceremony can include members of the family or the witnesses to assist in the wrapping or binding of the hands and the unwrapping or binding of the hands. The term Hand Fasting or Hand Typing comes from the fact the hands are generally bound and then tied with a knot. The slang term "Tying the Knot" referring to a marriage may have come from this tradition.
QUICH CUP (is also an old Celtic tradition shared often between the couple but could extend to parents and/or bridal party as well)
Many traditions come from various cultures. The Scots, Irish and Welsh use a single two handle cup which is shared by the couple to toast their ANUM CARA translated from GALEIC as "SOUL FRIEND or SOUL MATE". The couple toast the past as their love grew, the present to the love on their wedding day and to their future life together. Yes, you may chose the contents of liquid in the cup. It can be fresh clear water or as the Celtic Peoples would use, the "Water of Life"- fine Whiskey of the Scottish or Irish variety). This ceremony is often coupled with the Hand Fasting ceremony to make it a truly Celtic wedding.
CELTIC GIFT PRESENTATIONS (Celtic customs of presentation of gift to the couple by parents or between the couple have much tradition behind them)
SWORD, DIRK or SKEIN DUBH (Black Knife)
It was often a custom of Scots or Irish Clans or Families whereby the father of the bride would present a gift to the groom. This often was in the form of a sword, dirk (as pictured-Pipe Major's Dirk worn by the Pipe Major of the Toronto Scottish Regiments (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's Own), or a Skean Dubh (Black Knife). The tradition was the present the groom with a weapon to which the father expected his future son-in-law to protect his daughter from danger. This can be included as part of the ceremony of gift presentations to the groom along with a presentation to the bride (see Shawl or Sash ceremony)
TARTAN PRESENTATION (of a tartan Shawl, Sash or Kilt)
Often in ancient times, a presentation of a piece of the clan tartan was presented at wedding ceremonies. In some instances the groom was presented with the clan tartan of the bride's family in the form of a kilt or plaid. Today, the groom may receive various tartan articles, such as kilt or, tie or a clan crest surmounted on the clan tartan of the brides family.
The Bride in ancient times might have been presented a tartan shawl or tartan sash of the clan tartan of the groom's family. Today, we often see a sash or a piece of tartan which may be place on or pinned to the brides dress with a clan broach or pin or a shawl in the clan tartan of the groom's family.
Whatever the tartan item used, we can provide a ceremony to welcome the couple into one another's family through presentation of their clan tartan during the ceremony.
HORSESHOE (a Celtic tradition often used to bring luck to the couple in married life)
There are many items which symbolically represent "LUCK". The HORSESHOE is one often though of a LUCKY symbol. It is believed that a poem about St. Dunstan shoeing the Devil's Hoof may have lead to the belief of the "LUCK" of the Horseshoe. St. Dunstan was an Abbott in Glastonbury England who became the Archbishop of Canterbury. Often a Horseshoe was nailed to the Mast of a Ship to bring it luck on the seas. To the door of a Barn to bring luck to the Farm or Farmer. It was often though being kicked by a Horse brought luck to the recipient of the Horses hoof. Today, you often see Horseshoes on the bumpers of automobiles while couples head off for their honeymoon. A Horse Shoe can be present to the couple to bring them Good Luck during a wedding ceremony and then placed somewhere in the couples new home.
Use of the horseshoe in your ceremony allows for a keepsake which can be on display in your family home as reminder that special day in your lives.
JUMPING THE BROOM ("Clean Sweep"-sweeping away the old to make room for the new or "Whose the Boss" fun way to see who may be the head of the household)
Jumping the broom is a phrase and custom relating to a wedding ceremony where the couple jumps over a broom. The custom is historically associated with the Romanichal Gypsies a people of the United Kingdom especially those in Wales,[ but it is now more widespread among African Americans, popularized in the 1970s by the novel and miniseries Roots but originating in the mid 19th century as a practice in antebellum slavery in the United States. This was attributed to the African nations who use this ceremony to consummate marriage. It was also thought to have been used by slaves in the United States to formalize marriages between couples who were not permitted to be married by the owners. Some slave owners did not allow marriages while some did. Very few allowed legal marriages performed by a member of the clergy or by a civil magistrate or mayor or person of authority to perform such ceremonies.
The term in the 1800's "Jumping the Broom" or "Broomstick Wedding" referred to two people agreeing to marriage but not having been married by the clergy, thus an illegal marriage. When the Marriage Act in Britain changed to allow Civil Marriages, it was often called by opponents to this practice as "The Broomstick Act".
Today couples may use this ceremony towards the end of their wedding ceremony just prior to or during the course of the recessional. The Celtic tradition was to used the ceremony to mark a marriage contract and symbolically to represent "sweeping away the old" to make room for the "new". Starting afresh as a united couple in marriage.
The other symbolic custom comes from the African nations use of the ceremony. The symbolism represent who would be the person making the decisions in the household. The custom of the couple jumping the broom either together or individually would still have the same result. One concept was the person that jumped the highest would be the boss of the household. The other concept was who ever landed on the ground first (if they jumped together) would run the household.
Today depending on the couple choosing to include this ceremony in their overall wedding ceremony, may choose it because they have a Celtic or African heritage. They may choose to use it because they want to sweep away the old past life to start with a clean slate so to speak when they start their journey together as a marriage couple. Then again, it may be possible that the couple may wish to test the old tradition as to who will become the head of the household, just for the fun of it.
Like other ceremonies that can be incorporated such as candle or sand, a beautifully decorated broom can be a keepsake of one of the happiest days in your lives and kept on display in your home as a reminder of you wedding day.
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Asian Traditions (Filipino, Chinese, East Indian, Japanese Traditions
CANDLE CERMONY (the coming together of two families and two lives as one)
The candles symbolize the Light of Christ, the same light they received at Baptism and now receive again to lead them in their new life as a couple. Some couples choose to have their mothers or fathers light the candles in this ritual..
VEIL CEREMONY (the joining together of the couple as one family)
The Couple's Veil (white) has come to be a symbol of purity. Its original meaning was the symbol of the presence of the Lord, as the cloud was a symbol of His presence. It is placed over the shoulders of the couple to symbolize their union and being "clothed as one" in unity.
CORD (LASOS) CEREMONY (the binding together of the couple as one in the union of marriage)
The Cord is a symbol of the couple's bond; that indeed they are no longer two but one in their new life as a couple.
COIN (ARRAS) CEREMONY (promise to be a provider and to have a marriage filled with the wealth of love)
The Wedding Coins (also known as: Arras [ah-rahs] or Arrhae [ar-rah-heh]) have traditionally symbolized the prosperity that would be shared by the new couple, and the groom's promise to provide for the welfare of the new family.
*However, today's couples embrace life & face the world together in a more mutually supportive way than ever before. So, the Wedding Coins have come to symbolize the couple's commitment to mutually contributing to their relationship, their children, and their community
INCENCSE (used by the Buddhist and Hindu faith and other faiths during religious rites including the Roman Catholic Church and High Anglican traditions)
In the west, the Buddhist wedding traditions don't require the use of a temple's shrine room. For these traditions, the wedding location might be equipped with a makeshift shrine to Buddha featuring candles, flowers, incense and maybe even a statue or image of Buddha and the ceremony itself may include prayers, lighting candles or incense and the presentation or scattering of flowers.
TEA POURING (used by many Asian communities)
Traditional Tea Pouring ceremonies can represent a number of traditions. For Weddings the Tea Pouring was done early in the morning or afternoon. It was to introduce the Bride to the Grooms family and to have the families come together to meet each other. This tradition continues today, However, often the couple may decide to include a tea pouring ceremony during the wedding for a similar purpose and the tea is shared publically between close family members.
Sometimes the tea pouring will be used to propose three toasts. Three different size cups are use by the couple. Smallest cup used to toast the past. The middle size cup to toast the present, the marriage. Then the largest cup is used to toast the future. It is recognized that smaller cup represent the short time of meeting, courting and being betrothed or engaged prior to the marriage. The middle size cup represents the growth of the love of the couple as the two become one, thus a larger vessel is used. Then finally the largest cup represent the future growth of the couple's love and family.
Jewish Traditions (incorporated into inter-faith marriages or when the couple which to have a traditional Jewish ceremony but not in their place of worship)
VEIL or BADEKEN CEREMONY (veiling of the bride prior to the wedding ceremony)
Next comes the badeken, the veiling of the kallah by the chatan. The veil symbolizes the idea of modesty and conveys the lesson that however attractive physical appearances may be, the soul and character are paramount. It is reminiscent of Rebecca covering her face before marrying Isaac (Genesis ch. 29).
The Ashkenazi custom is that the chatan, accompanied by family and friends, proceeds to where the kallah is seated and places the veil over her face. This signals the groom's commitment to clothe and protect his wife.
KATUBAH SIGNING AND READING and PRESENTATION (signing and reading of marriage agreement by the couple - formal promises and vows)
Now comes the reading of the ketubah (marriage contract) in the original Aramaic text. The ketubah outlines the chatan's various responsibilities ― to provide his wife with food, shelter and clothing, and to be attentive to her emotional needs. Protecting the rights of a Jewish wife is so important that the marriage may not be solemnized until the contract has been completed.
The document is signed by two witnesses, and has the standing of a legally binding agreement. The ketubah is the property of the kallah and she must have access to it throughout their marriage. It is often written amidst beautiful artwork, to be framed and displayed in the home.
The reading of the ketubah acts as a break between the first part of the ceremony ― Kiddushin ("betrothal"), and the latter part ― Nissuin ("marriage").
Ofen the ketubah is signed by the couple in a room prior to the wedding, often at the same time of the veiling ceremony.
CHUPPA CEREMONY (the entrance and ceremony of the bride ciruambulating the groom)
The wedding ceremony takes place under the chuppah (canopy), a symbol of the home that the new couple will build together. It is open on all sides, just as Abraham and Sarah had their tent open all sides to welcome people in unconditional hospitality.
The Ashkenazi custom is to have the chuppah ceremony outside under the stars, as a sign of the blessing given by God to the patriarch Abraham, that his children shall be "as the stars of the heavens" (Genesis 15:5). Sefardim generally have the chuppah indoors.
The Ashkenazi custom is that the chatan and kallah wear no jewelry under the chuppah (marriage canopy). Their mutual commitment is based on who they are as people, not on any material possessions.
The kallah follows the chatan, and both are usually escorted to the chuppah by their respective sets of parents.
Under the chuppah, the Ashkenazi custom is that the kallah circles the chatan seven times. Just as the world was built in seven days, the kallah is figuratively building the walls of the couple's new world together. The number seven also symbolizes the wholeness and completeness that they cannot attain separately.
The kallah then settles at the chatan's right-hand side.
[At this point, the Sefardic custom is that the chatan says the blessing She'hecheyanu over a new tallit, and has in mind that the blessing also goes on the marriage. The tallit is then held by four young men over the head of the chatan and kallah.]
Blessings of Betrothal (Kiddushin) (Wine Ceremony)
Two cups of wine are used in the wedding ceremony. The first cup accompanies the betrothal blessings, recited by the rabbi. After these are recited, the couple drinks from the cup.
Wine, a symbol of joy in Jewish tradition, is associated with Kiddush, the sanctification prayer recited on Shabbat and festivals. Marriage, called Kiddushin, is the sanctification of a man and woman to each other.
The Seven Blessings (Blessing of the Most High upon the marriage and the couple)
The Seven Blessings
First Blessing
Baruch Ata HaShem Elokainu Melech HaOlam, SheHakol Barah Lichvodo
You are blessed, Lord our G-d, the sovereign of the world, who created everything for his glory
Second Belssing
Baruch Ata HaShem Elokainu Melech HaOlam, Yotzer Ha'Adam
You are blessed, Lord our G-d, the sovereign of the world, the creator of man
Third Blessing
Baruch Ata HaShem Elokainu Melech HaOlam, Asher Yatzar Et Ha'Adam Betzalmo, b'Tzelem Dmut Tavnito, VeHitkon Lo Mimenu Binyan Adei Ad. Baruch Ata HaShem Yotzer Ha'Adam
You are blessed, Lord our G-d, the sovereign of the world, who created man in His image, in the pattern of His own likeness, and provided for the perpetuation of his kind. You are blessed, Lord, the creator of man.
Fourth Blessing
Sos Tasis VeTagel HaAkarah, BeKibbutz Bane'ha Letocha BeSimchaa. Baruch Ata HaShem, Mesame'ach Tzion BeVaneha
Let the barren city be jubilantly happy and joyful at her joyous reunion with her children. You are blessed, Lord, who makes Zion rejoice with her children.
Fifth Blessing
Sameach TeSamach Re'im Ahuvim, KeSamechacha Yetzircha BeGan Eden MiKedem. Baruch Ata HaShem, MeSame'ach Chatan VeKalah
Let the loving couple be very happy, just as You made Your creation happy in the garden of Eden, so long ago. You are blessed, Lord, who makes the bridegroom and the bride happy.
Sixth Blessing
Baruch Ata HaShem Elokainu Melech HaOlam, Asher Barah Sasson VeSimcha, Chatan VeKalah, Gila Rina, Ditza VeChedva, Ahava VeAchava, VeShalom VeRe'ut. MeHera HaShem Elokeinu Yishama BeArei Yehudah U'Vchutzot Yerushalayim, Kol Sasson V'eKol Simcha, Kol Chatan V'eKol Kalah, Kol Mitzhalot Chatanim MeChupatam, U'Nearim Mimishte Neginatam. Baruch Ata HaShem MeSame'ach Chatan Im Hakalah.
You are blessed, Lord our G-d, the sovereign of the world, who created joy and celebration, bridegroom and bride, rejoicing, jubilation, pleasure and delight, love and brotherhood, peace and friendship. May there soon be heard, Lord our G-d, in the cities of Judea and in the streets of Jerusalem, the sound of joy and the sound of celebration, the voice of a bridegroom and the voice of a bride, the happy shouting of bridegrooms from their weddings and of young men from their feasts of song. You are blessed, Lord, who makes the bridegroom and the bride rejoice together.
Seventh Blessing
Baruch Ata HaShem Elokainu Melech HaOlam, Boreh Pri HaGafen.
You are blessed, Lord our G-d, the sovereign of the world, creator of the fruit of the vine.
The Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot) are now recited over the second cup of wine. The theme of these blessings links the chatan and kallah to our faith in God as Creator of the world, Bestower of joy and love, and the ultimate Redeemer of our people.
These blessings are recited by the rabbi or other people that the families wish to honor.
At the conclusion of the seven blessings, the chatan and kallah again drink some of the wine.
Breaking the Glass (snap, crackle and pop - Congratulations - "Mazel Tov" a blessing of fulfillment)
A glass is now placed on the floor, and the chatan shatters it with his foot. This serves as an expression of sadness at the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and identifies the couple with the spiritual and national destiny of the Jewish people. A person of the Jewish faith, even at the moment of greatest rejoicing, is mindful of the Psalmist's injunction to "set Jerusalem above my highest joy."
In jest, some explain that this is the last time the groom gets to "put his foot down."
In Israel, the Ashkenazi custom is that the glass is broken earlier, prior to the reading of the ketubah. Sefardim always break the glass at the end of the ceremony, even in Israel.
This marks the conclusion of the ceremony. With shouts of "Mazel Tov," the chatan and kallah are then given an enthusiastic reception from the guests as they leave the chuppah together.
Today the popular symbolic meaning is that your marriage will last as long as it would take to piece together and the broken glass back exactly as it was. Since the glass if pieced back together would have lines and cracks and possibly missing pieces, it cannot be put back together exactly as is was. Therefore you marriage will last until time shall be no more.
When we tell someone Mazel Tov, we are giving them a blessing: May this drip of inspiration from your soul above not dissipate, but rather have a positive and lasting effect, that from this event onwards you should live your life with higher consciousness.
Yichud (a private moment for the couple to relax and refresh themselves - breaking their fasting period)
The couple is then escorted to a private "yichud room" and left alone for a few minutes. These moments of seclusion signify their new status of living together as husband and wife.
Since the couple has been fasting since the morning, at this point they will also have something to eat.
[Sefardim do not have the custom of the yichud room; the chatan and kallah immediately proceed to the wedding hall after the chuppah ceremony.]
The Festive Meal (Seudah) ("eat, drink and be merry" or maybe it should read "eat, drink and be married" - Celebration of Life)
It is a mitzvah for guests to bring simcha (joy) to the chatan and the kallah on their wedding day. There is much music and dancing as the guests celebrate with the new couple; some guests entertain with feats of juggling and acrobatics.
After the meal, Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals) is recited, and the Sheva Brachot are repeated.
During the week following the wedding, it is customary for friends and relatives to host festive meals in honor of the chatan and kallah. This is called the week of Sheva Brachot, in reference to the blessings said at the conclusion of each of these festive meals.
If both the bride and groom are marrying for the second time, sheva brachot are recited only on the night of the wedding. The last bracha, Asher Bara, can be recited for three days.
REAFFIRMATION or RENEWAL of VOWS (Confirming the Love you have both experienced since you stated your wedding vows some time in the future)
Love has no Age Limit. Reaffirming love or renewing vows is sometimes simply a desire the mark a milestone in one's walk through this live together. Love so strong you want to cherish the past in the present after 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, 25 years, 40 years, 50 years, 60 years, 70 years or more can be very moving and solemn to a much joyful and fun ceremony and celebration for all you family and friends to enjoy. Sometime, it can be a surprise for the celebrated couple arranged by their family and friends. And mom's thoughts may be "I didn't get my hair done" and dad's thinking "doesn't she look as beautify as the day I met her". Love lived by couples is always worthy of celebration no matter the length of time that love as endured.
EXTENDED FAMILY INVOLVMENT (Married with Children, your mine and ours or with Six your get Egg Rolls and how about the family Pet or Pets)
Getting married with Children. What about including them in your special day. Ages don't matter. Infants, Toddlers, youngsters, teens, adult, they can all be included in your wedding ceremony. Siblings of your own or your spouse. You Parents, Grandparents and Great Grand Parents and even Great Great Grand Parents if you are luck to have them. You children can be provided special certificates signed by the couple, witnesses and officiant or minister. It can indicate they are the official ring bearer, flower girl or some other notations. Presentation of flowers or gifts such as bracelets or necklaces to the children during the ceremony. Yours, mine and ours when couples are remarrying and have children from previous unions or marriages. Bring the family together by including them in the ceremony. Don't forget about those often forgot family members, the family pet or pets. They can be included in the ceremony in may ways, as ring bearers, flower bears, honourary witness including paw prints on special records of solmenization documents prepared for the creremony. We have many a number of ceremonies and experience in assisting you with ideas.
SAME GENDER CEREMONIES (Love knows no bounds, love is honest, love is kind, love is love in all shapes and forms)
Love can exist in many forms and in many ways. Between people, pets, items such as something you simply love and would not part with. Love is so strong that the only thing that matter between those that are in love is love for one another. Couples of the same gender may fall in love at any time and at any age. Why not celebrate your love publically in the presence of your family and friends. Show your intent and consent to become a union of one as a couple and solemnize that loving relationship you have created and experienced to fulfill the joy you have found in each other. Become "Partner's in love for life".
BABY NAMING, CHRISTENINGS, BAPTISMS (for infants, children and adults)
Baby Naming is ceremony for public recognition of a child brought into the world or into your family (possibly through adoption). It is ceremony intended to welcome the child into the family. Christening or Baptisms is a ceremony which are very similar. Christenings are the form of Baptism for infants, but can also be called Baptism ceremonies. A Baptism ceremony is the term often used for children or adults seeking to baptised into their faith. Various methods of Christening or Baptism can take place, through sprinkling or immersion. The ceremony for Baby Naming and Christening or Baptism does not bring the child into any particular denomination or faith, that is left up to the child when they become older to determine their own faith or beliefs. All three forms of ceremony are a wonderful way to welcome and celebrate a new addition to the family. We also provide baptisms for those who have not been baptised but may require to be baptised for enrolment into a school or organization or for marriage as some religious denominations may required the couple both to be baptised even though one of the couple is not of that particular denomination.
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SOMETING BORROWED, SOMETING BLUE TRADITION
Something OLD is the first line of a traditional rhyme which details what a bride should wear at her wedding for good luck:
Something old,
something new,
something borrowed,
something blue,
and a sliver sixpence in her shoe.
It is often recited as the four "somethings", including the sixpence. The rhyme appers to originate in England, and 1898 compilation of English folklore reciting that:
In this country an old couplet directs that the bride shall wear: - "Something old, something new, Something borrowed, something blue". The "something blue" takes, I am given to understand, usually the form of a garter, and article of dress which plays an important part in some wedding rites, as, for instance, in the old custom of plucking off the garter of the bridge. The "something old" and "something blue" are devices to baffle the EVIL EYE. The usual effect on the bride of the EVIL EYE is to renter her barren, and this is obviated by wearing "something borrowed" which shouldproperly be the undergarment of some woman who has been blessed with children. The clothes communicate fertility to the bride.
Another compilation of the era frames this pome as "a Lancashire version", as contrast against the Leicestershire recitation that "a bride on her wedding day should wear - "Something new, Something Blue, Something Borrowed..." and so omits the "something old". The authors note that this counters other regional folklore warning against the wearing of blue on the wedding day, but relates the use of the colour to phrases, like "true blule" which make positivie associations with the colour.
They rhyme can earlie be found in the 1876 edition of Notes and Queries and is called an "ancient custom" in antoher 1978 book, "Bye-gones, Relationg to Wales and the Border Counties". This version is references as well in the 1971 short story "Marriage Superstions and the Miseries of a Bride Elect" in the St. James's Maganize.
Just because it was a royal wedding didn't mean that a common time honoured tradition could be skipped!
The newley married Princess Kate Middleton was no exception when it came to the cardinal bridal rule, but what exactly did she have as her something old, somethine new, something borrowed and something blue?
A popular television show's web site broke it down as follows:
Something old: The Bridal Gown, from Sarah Burton of Alexander McQeen, featured "traditional Crrikmacross craftsmandshiip, a lace technique that dates back to the 1800's.
Something new: Her parents gifted their daughter with custom-made diamond oak-leaf earrings with a diamond-encrusted acordn sete in the middle, a not to their new family crest.
Something borrowed: Kate's tiara, on loan from the queen herself, per royal wedding traditions, is a 1935 Cartier "halo"
Something blue: You can't see it, but a blue ribbon was sewen into the interior of her dress.
The Origin and Meanings of the "four somethings" are meant to be a good luck token for the bride. The custom is that if the bride carries all four items on her wedding day, she will have a happy marriage.
Each verse refers to a good luck item:
Something old - continuity with the bride's family and the past
Something new - optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead
Something borrowed - an item from a happily married friend or family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride.
Something blue - before the last 19th century, blue was a popular colour for wedding gowns, as evidenced in proverbs like, "Marry in blue, lover be true".
What type of items fall into these categories of good luck"
Something Old:
A relatives wedding gown or using a piece of the fabric to sew into your own gown or wrap to wrap the bridal bouquet
A family heirloom,: jewelry, veil, headpiece, handkerchief
A piece of fabric from an old childhood doll or article of clothing, either sewn into your gown or used to as a wrap for your bouquet.
A locket with photos of your parents and grandparents.
Something New:
New shoes
New jewelry
You might consider your "something new" your wedding gown/dress, if purchased new
New lingerie or garter
Something Borrowed:
Often this is jewelry belonging to someone close to you, your mother, aunt, sister, friend such as earrings, pearls, a watch, etc.
A veil or headpiece
A brooch or hair comb
A purse
Something Blue:
Monogram in blue thread sewn into wedding dress
Blue shoes
Blue Garter
Blue underwear or lingerie
Blue crinoline
Blue nail polish
Jewelry accents in blue, earrings, rings, bracelets, anklet, toe rings, necklaces containing sapphiers, topaz, acquamarine, Swoarovski Crystals, etc.
Blue bouquet accents: ribbon wrap, brooches, cameos, lockets
Blue sash for wedding gown
Blue hair accessories: hair clips / barrettes, headband, etc.
Blue handkerchief (for tears of joy) or handkerchief with blue monogram / embroidery
Blue rhinestones glued to bottom of wedding shoes in shape of initials
A Blue temporary tattoo (or if you dare a permanent one)
Blue hair tints (if you dare to b different)
WHAT ABOUT THE SLIVER SIXPENCE IN HER SHOE?
This is often forgotten to be part of the old rhyme. It may still apply in British Weddings in the Unite Kingdom or for those of British decent. However, other cultures may not use that particular form of currency and it does not mean anything to them. They may often substitute another currency such as in:
Canada - how about a lucky 10 cent piece showing the "Blue Nose Scooner" from Nova Scotia which won many races, so it may be deemed to be lucky
The United-a lucky penny.
Other counties various metal currency could be used.
Symbolically, there are some doubts about the authenticity of the last line. It may have been an English or Scottish custom that was tacked onto the tail of the traditional poem, but it was originally believed that if a bride were to place a silver sixpence in her left shoe, she would attract wealth and success to the marriage. And who doesn’t like wealth and success, right?
