Sample Ceremony

UNITY CANDLE CEREMONY
Mothers light two candles representing different backgrounds, families, etc.; later, the couple light one large unity candle symbolizing their coming together. ($50 charge)

SALT/SAND CEREMONY
Two containers of colored salt or sand representing different backgrounds, families, etc.; the couple combines the 2 containers into a larger 3rd unity jar. ($50 charge)

ROSE CEREMONY—In the Rose Ceremony, the couple gives each other a rose. This is done just before being pronounced as spouses. This ceremony gives recognition to the new and most honorable title of husband and wife. ($50 charge)

HANDFASTING CEREMONY (SCARF IS PRESENTED)
In this ancient Celtic ritual, the couple was literally bound together, thus giving us the origin of the expression “tying the knot.”  A scarf (typically from Ireland) is draped around the couple’s hands with 4 bindings. ($50 charge)

ANAM CARA CEREMONY
We celebrate the Celtic spirit of the anam cara—“soul friend.”  The couple toasts each other by repeating the words—“Today I recognize you as my anam cara, and ask that you become a part of me …” During the ceremony, the couple sips from a cup of wine 3 times. ($50 charge)

HANDS CEREMONY
In the hands ceremony, the bride holds the groom’s hands palms up; then the groom holds the bride’s hands, palms up. Words are exchanged about how these hands will support the other, work for the other, share joys with the other, wipe tears from the other’s eyes, etc. ($50 charge)

FAMILY UNITY
Children vow support and pledge family unity. (No charge)

WINE CEREMONY
This is a Jewish tradition in which sharing a cup of wine represents sharing a life together (No charge). There is a similar Celtic ceremony known as the Loving Cup ceremony. It represents our joy on the day that this celebration is occurring. (No charge)

BREAKING OF THE GLASS
This is a Jewish tradition in which the groom stomps on a glass wrapped in a small towel. This is thought to be a reminder of the destruction of King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, and of persecutions of the past. Some people see it as a break with the past which makes new relationships possible. (No charge)

GIFT OF FLOWERS
The couple gives flowers (often roses) to their parents to symbolize the love that the bride and groom have for them. The couple’s new relationship has roots in many generations of love. (No charge)

RECOGNITION OF DECEASED

The Justice of the Peace says a few words in memory of a loved one. (No charge)

READINGS RELATED TO SPECIAL PLACE OR TIME OF OCCASION (BEACH, SEA, FOREST, VALENTINE’S DAY, CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR’S, ETC.)
(No charge for any of these)

UNITY CIRCLE WITH CHILDREN A ritual in which the parents and children form a circle; the Justice of the Peace then says a few words about everyone working together as a family. (No charge)
 

JUMPING THE BROOM  
This African-American ceremony symbolically "sweeps away" the couple’s former single lives, and former problems and concerns, by “leaping over” the broom hand-in-hand to enter upon a new adventure as husband and wife. ($50 charge)

VOW RENEWAL CEREMONY

For married couples wishing to renew their vows, we can provide a beautifully crafted ceremony. This ceremony will add romance to your marriage, and honor your devotion and love for each other. (Same price as basic ceremony)

Any of the above rituals can be modified for same-gender ceremonies.