The use of rituals and symbolic acts in a special ceremony is nothing new!

Traditionally, funerals, weddings, graduations, baby dedications and many other rites of passage have always employed special symbolic acts to help mark these significant milestones in life. For example, white dresses, flowers, readings, exchanging of rings, cake, the pronouncement and so on at a wedding… are all outward visible expressions of the importance of the occasion.

Aong with the help and guidance of their humanist celebrant, a couple will create and plan a personal, meaningful and truly unique ceremony that has their personalities stamped all over it.

The ancient and symbolic act of Handfasting, has its roots in ancient Celtic tradition, and symbolises the binding together of two people and the union of their hopes and desires. The cords used are not permanent, but perishable, as a reminder that all things of material eventually return to the earth, unlike the bond and the connection that is love, which is enduring. Handfasting is also a declaration of intent, where the couple clearly state that they are marrying each other of their own free will, as well as making promises together. With each promise they make, a separate binding is made with ribbon or some other material.

A Sand Ceremony is all about symbolising the physical blending together of the two different families and a keepsake container is created. Each person has a jar of sand, either from a beach that holds significance for them, or of a particular colour. The two separate jars of sand symbolise each person’s separate life, separate family, and separate childhood. Just as the grains of sand can never be separated and poured again back into the individual containers, so the couple will move forward together as one, both changed, whatever lies ahead. If the couple have any children, then this ceremony can be a lovely way of involving them too, as they add their sand into the mix.

Another beautiful and expressive ritual is the Lighting of the Unity Candle. At the beginning of the ceremony each person lights their own candle that represents their separate life, separate family, and separate set of friends. After they have said their vows to one another, they each take their individual candle and together, unite their flames to burn as one. This lighting of a Unity Candle represents their two lives being joined together. The symbolism is obvious, and the image powerful.

There is no end to the list of symbolic acts that could be incorporated into a wedding ceremony and sometimes couples very creatively devise their own, which is great, as the whole point is to have a ceremony that reflects the uniqueness of the couple.