Symbolic Wedding Rituals

If done well a symbolic ritual can be a visual feast, an opportunity for an incredible photo-opportunity and a means of expressing joy in your wedding ceremony. A symbolic ritual includes visual, verbal and emotional elements and therefore embeds the ritual in the memory of all present so that they do not forget its meaning. A case in point is the giving and receiving of wedding rings, the most common ritual in Australian weddings.

Because many symbolic rituals reference symbols or sentiments common to several cultures a wisely chosen ritual can act as an emotional bridge for everyone present at a wedding where the marrying couple come from different ethnic or religious traditions.

Unfortunately, if done badly - chosen for no good reason and performed as a replication of what countless websites suggest is "the" way to do it - a symbolic ritual can be worse than boring, it can be trite and pointless.

I ensure that any symbolic ritual you choose to include is developed and created to reflect your interpretation of the symbolism so that the ritual fits seamlessly into your ceremony and is authentic to you. I have researched and developed a wide range of personalised versions of symbolic rituals you can include in your wedding ceremony.

This is a list of the more common symbolic rituals, together with some more unusual ones (scroll down for links to more information about selected rituals):

• Arrhae
• Blending Ceremonies (variations on unity ceremonies such as the sand ceremony)
  
• Bouquet of love and support
• Circling
• Cord of 3 strands
• Eco-Unity Ceremony
• Hand blessing
• Handfasting
• Jumping the broom
• Lasso (Lazo)
• Loving Cup / Wine Ceremony
  
• Rose Ceremony
• San San Kudo
• Sand Ceremony
• Seven Steps
• Stephana
• Unity Candle
• Unity Goldfish Ceremony
• Wishing stones

Most symbolic rituals require "props" which the marrying couple supply, allowing further personalisation and unique touches.