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One of the most important things to consider when you are
saying "I Do," is how will your wedding ceremony reflect what
it is you wish to say, both to each other and about each other,
to your guests. When we first meet a couple we like to find
out their likes and dislikes are, when and how they met, what
their religious or spiritual backgrounds are and how much
of that they would like to incorporate into the wedding ceremony.
We look at where they are having the ceremony, outdoors or
in, what time of year it is, size of wedding party and how
much involvement they wish members of their families to have.
Would their mothers like to take part in lighting the Unity
candle? Would a sister do a reading or perhaps sing? What
are their favorite songs, pieces of poetry, readings? All
of these elements go into a discussion of how to create a
unique ceremony.
My own particular interest is in all things Celtic
and Goddess based I often bring in rites and rituals that
have a connection with the earth and nature, and give particular
attention to solstices, equinoxes and fire festivals. For
example I often suggest the bride and groom include a Celtic
"handfasting" ceremony, in which they face each other and
tie right hand to left and left to right in a ceremonial rope
signifying their oneness. Another one of my favorite Celtic
rituals is having guests cast small pebbles into the water
while wishing for the new couple. The ripples radiating out
were traditionally seen as the sending of good tides to the
couple and the community.
Rabbi Roger and myself often officiate together, each of
us bringing different elements to the event. At one such event
celebrating the earth guests were asked to select a stone
or a shell from the beach and bring it inside to create a
sacred circle, inside of which the ritual was to take place.
There was a Jewish blessing of the bride and groom by Rabbi
Roger and a Celtic prayer done by me after the circle had
been censed with aromatic sage. The players then created celebration
of the four directions, with the four elements of fire, earth,
water and air, and the aspects that the bride and groom would
need for their lives together. Three young girls danced the
dance of the inner child and scattered rose petals for the
bride. The vows and rings were next, followed by a sacred
closing and opening of the circle. This was one of the most
powerful and beautiful ceremonies we have ever done.
Rabbi Roger and Reverand Deborah - Loving
Hearts Ceremonies
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Joel
Crohn, 
This
marriage is about you first. Your ceremony should reflect what you
wish to say. .