Cord of Three Strands
This is based on the verse “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12
During the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom braid together the cord of three strands. The groom holds a small metal ring with the attached strands. The bride then braids the strands together, symbolizing the union of God, husband and wife. The gold strand represents God at the center of the marriage, the purple strand represents the groom, and the white strand represents the bride. This tradition acknowledges that it was God who taught us to love. By keeping Him at the center of your marriage, His love will continue to hold you together as one throughout your marriage.
Sand or Salt Ceremony
The marriage relationship is symbolized by the bride and groom pouring their individual containers of sand (or salt) together into a third container. As they are poured, the individual containers of sand no longer exist, but are joined together as one. The tradition shows that just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured back into the individual containers, the same is true for a marriage. It is a picture of the reality that you are no longer two but one, never to be separated.
The Water Ceremony
This is similar to the sand ceremony. It incorporates two small glasses of different colored water that are emptied into a larger glass, creating a third color. Often, the bride and groom choose colors that are meaningful to them. You can also choose to coordinate with the wedding colors. **Yellow and blue are good color choices here, they make a pretty green. You’ll want to be sure the colors you mix don’t make a brown color.**
The Tree Ceremony
The couple purchases a tree sapling prior to the wedding. You can display it in a pretty pot on stage during the ceremony. The minister will direct both the bride and groom to water the tree together. Afterwards, the tree is yours to plant in your new home together.
The Rose Ceremony
The rose ceremony is believed to have originated in the Roman Empire, symbolizing rebirth, love, beauty and fertility. The most traditional way is to exchange two red roses, one for bride and groom. There are many variations of the rose ceremony Some couples use the rose ceremony as a way to honor their parents, usually the mothers. During this time, the couple will present a single rose to each of their parents.
The Wine Ceremony
In this tradition, there are two glasses of wine at the ceremony, one red and one white. The red wine represents a rich love and robust energy, and the white symbolizes strength of a loving marriage. Both bride and groom pour a small amount of wine into a larger glass, combining to form a rose wine. They each drink from the blended wine to represent their shared lives together.
The Rock Ceremony
This is especially great if your wedding is outdoors or on the beach. Before the wedding starts, the couple has a friend give each guest a rock with a colored pen. They are instructed to write a blessing on the rock along with their name. After the ring exchange, a container is passed, and each guest places their rock into the container. Then the minister acknowledges each blessing given. The rock container is a wonderful reminder of the wedding day. The couple is able to go back and read the blessings year after year.
For more details on these wedding traditions and how you can incorporate them into your wedding ceremony, contact As you wish... we’d be glad to assist you in any way possible!
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About the Author:
Shari Johns is the owner of As you wish… wedding & events in Dallas, Texas. She is a Master level Certified Wedding Planner. You can visit her blog for more info.
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