How can I make my ceremony memorable?
As Southern California's preferred wedding officiants... Put A Ring On It Weddings proudly offers: Optional blessings that individualize your wedding!!
There are many, many blessings or add-on's available!! Below you will find some samples to get you started!!
PLEASE NOTE: ANY AND ALL NAMES, (INCLUDING BRIDE/ GROOM, HE/SHE, HUSBAND/WIFE AND SO ON) CAN AND WILL BE CHANGED TO MEET YOUR SPECIFIC WEDDING NEEDS/ DETAILS
Apache Blessing
A beautiful benediction for the end of your ceremony:
Now you will feel no rain for each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness.
Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place to enter the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
Breaking of Glass
Very traditional in Jewish weddings, this ceremony has become
popular in in interfaith wedding ceremonies as well.
In the Jewish faith the breaking of the glass signifies the destruction
of the great temple in Jerusalem. Its spiritual significance is our
reaffirmation of our faith in God. Our prayer today is that their lives
together would be longer than it would take to fit these broken pieces
of glass back together again.
Alternate Glass Breaking Ceremony
The breaking of the glass at the end of a wedding ceremony serves
to remind of two very important aspects of a marriage. The bride and
groom – and everyone– should consider these marriage vows as an
IRREVOCABLE ACT – just as permanent and final as the breaking of
this glass is unchangeable.
But, the breaking of the glass also is a warning of the FRAILTY of a
marriage. That sometimes a single thoughtless act, breech of trust, or
infidelity can damage a marriage in ways that are very difficult to undo
– just as it would be so difficult to undo the breaking of this
glass. Bride and Groom , knowing that this marriage is permanent, you
should strive to show each other the love and respect befitting your
spouse and love of your life.” Our prayer today is that their lives
together would be longer than it would take to fit these broken pieces
of glass back together again.
Hand Ceremony
The Hand Ceremony is a beautiful addition to a wedding ceremony,
with great symbolism and thoughts on your wedding day.
(Bride), please face (Groom) and hold his hands, palms up, so that
you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you
through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands
that will countless times wipe the
tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the
hands that will comfort you in illness and hold you when fear or grief
fills you.
These are the hands that will give you support and celebrate with you
in your accomplishments.
(Groom), please hold (Bride) hands, palms up, so that you may see the
gift that they are to you. These are the hands that will hold you tight
as you struggle through difficult times. They are the hands that will
comfort you when you are sick or console you when you are grieving.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you
through the year, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that
will give you support as she encourages you to fulfill your dreams.
Our prayer for you today is that both of you will use these hands to
build a marriage where all your dreams come true.
Irish Blessing
There are many versions of the Irish Wedding Blessing.
This is probably the most popular:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May the Lord hold you in the hollow of his hand
Rose Ceremony
Not requested very often, this ceremony is sure to make your
ceremony unique and memorable: The Rose Ceremony is simple yet
profoundly moving. The bride and groom exchange two red roses,
symbolizing the giving and receiving of their love for each other
throughout their entire married life. The Rose Ceremony also
conveys how to use the rose and its symbolism in difficult times in
order to forgive each other.
“Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been
your wedding rings – which shall always be an outward demonstration
of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your
commitment to each other. You now have what remains the most
honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman – the title
of “husband” and “wife.” For your first gift as husband and wife, that
gift will be a single rose.
In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose
always meant only one thing – it meant the words “I love you.” So it is
appropriate that for your first gift – as husband and wife – that gift
would be a single rose.
Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife. In some ways it
seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you
were holding one small rose – and now you are holding one small rose.
In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some
ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday.
But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of
the most valuable and precious gifts of life – one I hope you always
remember – the gift of true and abiding l love within the devotion of
marriage. _________ and _____________, I would ask that where
ever you make your home in the future – whether it be a large and
elegant home – or a small and graceful one – that you both pick one
very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this
truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both
as a re-commitment to your marriage – and a re-commitment that THIS
will be a marriage based upon love.
In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right
words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most
hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult some time to words to
say “I am sorry” or “I forgive you”; “I need you” or “I am hurting”. If this
should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at
that spot which both of you have selected – for that rose than says
what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all
other words.
That rose says the words: “I still love you.” The other should accept
this rose for the words which cannot be found, and remember the love
and hope that you both share today. __________ and ________, if
there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it
was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it
a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure.
Sand Ceremony
The Sand Ceremony offers beautiful symbolism and
commemorates beach weddings perfectly.
BRIDE and GROOM you have just sealed your bond by the giving
and receiving of rings and this covenant is a marital pledge between
two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one
another throughout their lives. The most beautiful example of this
partnership is the marriage union.
Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these
two individual containers of sand. One, representing you, BRIDE and
all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the
other representing you, GROOM, and all that you were and all that you
are, and all that you will ever be. As these two containers of sand
are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand
will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one.
Just as these grains of sand can never be separated, our prayer for
you today is that your lives together would take longer than the time
it would take to separate the individual grains of sand.
Unity Candle (note: best enjoyed indoors)
Probably the oldest and most traditional ceremony option, the
Unity Candle Ceremony is a a perfect way to illustrate your
union. While I always custom-write my ceremonies, here is some
possible text for a Unity Candle Ceremony: Bride and Groom, the two
lighted candles symbolize your separate lives, your separate families
and your separate sets of friends. I ask that you
You will each take one candle and that together you light the center
candle.
The individual candles represent your individual lives before today.
Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now
joined to one light, and represents the joining of your two families and
sets of friends to one. ___ and ___ will now extinguish their own
candles, thus letting the center candle symbolize the union of their
lives. As one light cannot be divided, neither will their lives be divided.
Alternate Unity Candle Ceremony:
In just a moment _____and _____ will light one central candle from
the two candles you see burning. This ceremony will symbolize the
merging of their lives into one relationship.
(During candle lighting I will read)
One of mankind’s first and greatest gifts was the power of fire.
Fire whose heat could provide warmth, healing, and nourishment. Fire
whose brilliance could light the way. Fire whose wrath could destroy
enemies.
Yet, other fires exist for man that share these same benefits. These
fires are inner fires passionate fires which drive us toward
our destiny.
Let the lighting of these candles symbolize that inner flame; the
unending faith, love, and devotion that has brought these two here
today. And like this flame, may their love burn brightly throughout a
lifetime of joy and happiness.
A love letter exchange is a romantic ceremony that will serve as a
lasting reminder of the commitments made to one another. Heartfelt
letters, encapsulating your thoughts and feelings are locked away in a
wine box to be revealed several years into your marriage. Whiskey,
Scotch or Tequila can easily be switched out for the wine.
BRIDE and GROOM have chosen as a couple to perform a Love Letter & Wine Box ceremony.
This box contains a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a love letter from
each to the other.
The letters describe the good qualities they find in one another, the
reasons they fell in love, and their reasons for choosing to marry.
The letters are sealed in individual envelopes and they have not seen
what the other has written.
Should BRIDE and GROOM ever find their marriage facing hardships,
they will open this box, sit and drink the wine together, then read the
letters they wrote to one another to be reminded of the reasons why
they are together.
The hope is, however, that BRIDE and GROOM will never have a reason
to open this box.
And if this is the case, they are to open this box to share and enjoy on
their 5th year wedding anniversary, replenish and open on their 10th
anniversary, and so on.
BRIDE and GROOM have chosen as a couple to perform a Love Letter & Wine Box ceremony.
This box contains a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a love letter from
each to the other.
The letters describe the good qualities they find in one another, the
reasons they fell in love, and their reasons for choosing to marry.
The letters are sealed in individual envelopes and they have not seen
what the other has written.
You have created your very own “romantic” time capsule to be opened
on your 5th wedding anniversary.
I recommend that you keep the box in a place of honor prominently
displayed in your home as a constant reminder of your commitment to
each other.
BRIDE and GROOM should you ever find your marriage enduring
insurmountable hardships, you are to as a couple, open this box, sit
and drink the wine together, then separate and read the letters you
wrote to one another when you were united as a couple in marriage.
By reading these love letters you will reflect upon the reasons you fell
in love and chose to marry each other here today.
The hope is, however, that you will never have a reason to open this box.
And if this is the case, you are to open this box to share and enjoy on
your 5th year wedding anniversary!
BRIDE and GROOM, you may now seal the box.
Like good wine, a great love will deepen and mature with age.
As a part of today’s ceremony, BRIDE and GROOM have captured their
thoughts leading up to this day in personal notes to each other.
Also they have asked their parents (or best man / maid of honor or
other loved ones) to compose notes as well, containing their thoughts
and their most important piece of advice to the couple as they journey
through life together.
These notes will now be sealed in this box to be opened and shared
together with a bottle of wine on a future anniversary celebration.
It is at this time I would ask the parents to come forward and place
their note and a bottle of wine inside this box.
These messages and wine will be shared by BRIDE and GROOM on
their 1st and 5th anniversaries.
And I now ask that BRIDE and GROOM place their notes to each other
with a bottle of wine they have selected to share on their 10th
anniversary celebration.
On that joyous day INSERT DATE they will get to reflect on the events
and emotions they shared on this wonderful day.
They can also reminisce about all of the wonderful memories they will
have made over the last ten years and dream of all of those yet to
come.
I will now seal the box.
**There are many other blessings and add on's. These are by no means "the only" we are willing to perform or have performed. These are intended as an example page. Let us know.... we work "with" our couples!!
**Please inquire with:
Put A Ring On It Weddings
via Christi Wyckoff
for more information or ideas!!
909-233-3691
Keywords to include: Wedding Officiant, Wedding Minister, Wine Box Ceremony, Unity Candle, Sand Ceremony, Rose Ceremony, Irish Blessing, Hand Ceremony, Glass Breaking Ceremony, Apache Blessing Ceremony, Ceremonial add on's, What to add to a ceremony, Ideas for wedding ceremonies, special touches to weddings, Orange County, CA & Riverside County, CA & San Bernardino County, CA & LA County, CA Southern California, Inland Empire, CA