The Unity Candle
​This Judeo-Christian tradition is probably the most well-known wedding ritual that symbolizes unity. The bride and groom each hold a lit candle and combine their flames to light a third, larger candle. Sometimes the bride and groom's parents take on this task instead to symbolize the union of their families. 

The Sand Ceremony
​Sometimes referred to as a "blending of the sands" ceremony, each person pours a small container of sand (often two different colors) into a larger vessel to symbolize their "coming together" as a couple. This practice is a charming way to celebrate a blended family -- children can pour sand into the family vessel.

​The Handfasting Ceremony
This tradition hails from Ireland and Scotland, but has become popular with modern couples all over the world. As the couple joins hands, the officiant wraps the cord around them into a loose knot. Traditionally, couples use a dyed chord for this ceremony, but the options have expanded in recent years to include ribbons, scarves, or even small floral garlands. Whatever you choose, this is a beautiful symbol of eternal and infinite love.

A Wine Ceremony
​A wine ritual symbolizes blending two lives (and two families!) into one. Some couples choose to drink wine from the same cup—a practice performed in most Catholic and Jewish ceremonies—while others prefer to pour two types of wine into one glass before sharing. This "blending" is symbolic of your union and the life you'll create together.

The Crowning Ceremony
It's customary in Greek Orthodox culture for brides and grooms to appoint koumbaroi, attendants who place the wedding crowns on the couple's heads and the rings on their fingers. The crowns, known as stefana, are connected by ribbon and therefore serve as a symbol of the bride and groom's union, as well as their status as queen and king of their family.

The Rose Ceremony
​The couple can choose to present roses to the mothers or grandmothers as a way of showing appreciation for their support. The roses can also be presented as the first gifts that the couple will give to each other.

Breaking The Glass
Just as the broken pieces of glass can never be put back together, so the covenant of marriage irrevocably binds the couple in their new state of marriage.  After the glass is broken, friends and loved ones yell, “Mazel Tov,” which means good luck.

The Lasso Ceremony
​In traditional Mexican, Filipino, and Spanish culture, couples can celebrate unity through a lasso ceremony, or el lazo ceremony. After the couple recites their vows, an officiant, parent, or relative drapes two linked rosaries or one floral rope across the bride and groom's shoulders in the form of a figure eight, which represents the couple's unity. The couple then wears the lasso for the duration of the service until the person who placed it on the couple removes it and gives it to the bride as a reminder of their commitment to each other.

A Tea Ceremony
Tea ceremonies are a strong part of Asian tradition. The tea ceremony is the most sacred ritual of Chinese Nuptials. A modern twist is each partner chooses a tea that best describes their personalities and have them pour their individual teas into one pot, symbolizing the unifying of their families.

Jumping The Broom
​The "jumping the broom" ritual originated in the early 19th century, when enslaved African Americans weren't allowed to formally marry. Instead, to unite, the tradition was to lay a broom on the ground and jump over it together. Today, the act represents a "brushing away" of the past in order to start clean. 

The Quaker Tradition
Perfect for smaller weddings, this take on a Quaker tradition involves inviting guests to form a circle together with the bride and groom. They may also be asked to share their thoughts on the couple. (You can give them a heads up so they can prepare their thoughts ahead of time!)

Memory Box
​Incorporating a time capsule or a memory box into your wedding ceremony is a deeply personal way to share your love with one another.  Include tokens of love, old love letters, ticket stubs, airline tickets and more.  The sky is the limit on what you can include!  Pick a time or situation in the future that would be ideal for opening the box, such as your 20th anniversary, for example.