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The Sand Ceremony has become quite popular as an alternative to 

the Unity Candle; because no flames are involved and it lends itself 

well to outdoor weddings. Its meaning is simple & beautiful: two becoming one. The couple mix two different colors of sand into one container, 

thereby symbolizing their lives and hearts entwined. Once combined, 

it would be extremely difficult to separate the sand out again, just as 

the couple are so joined together. This is one of the best unity-ceremony ideas for blended families, as children can also add sand to the family vase.  

The Love Letters Ceremony: for this unity ceremony the couples write love letters to each other, and then (during their ceremony) place & lock them in a special box (often engraved with their names & wedding date) along with a bottle of wine (or any other beverage) and 2 wine glasses, ready to be shared by each other on a milestone anniversary. Per the couple's request, they may also read out loud (1) one love letter to each other and before their guests, during their wedding ceremony - prior to placing them in their love letter box. 

The Unity Candle Ceremony is probably the most well-known of the unification ceremonies. In this ceremony, the couple may light their own individual candle's or representatives of their respective families may do so. Then the couple,  lights the central pillar candle using their two individual candles while the officiant explains the symbolism of the ritual. This ceremony symbolizes the union of two lives into one. The couple then keeps the Unity Candle Set and may re-light their candles each year on their wedding anniversary. 

The Flower Ceremony, although not well-known,  is one of the most popular flowers-inspired alternative unity ceremony's idea. Roses are a beautiful traditional symbol of love and are therefore perfect to feature in a wedding ceremony. The couple each has a rose, and so does every family member who wish to partake  in the ceremony. The ritual begins with a member of the family presenting to the Officiant 2 roses (for the couple.) Then the Officiant presents the 2 roses to the couple (while the other roses are also being presented to the family members).  After the couple has received their individual rose, the couple then face each other & present their rose to each other as a token of their love. Then the couple place their roses "together" in a vase. And lastly,  all the family members proceed to add their roses into the vase. The couple may keep this as a memento and often times will dry the roses and have them framed into a memory box.  

The Tying the Knot Ceremony, is one of the oldest alternative unity ceremony idea's, often incorporated into Pagan wedding ceremonies. Handfasting is the joining of the couple hands and wrists using vines, cords, rope, or ribbon then gently tied into a knot by the Officiant. It's often said that this is where we got the expression "tying the knot" from, and usually takes place at the end of the wedding ceremony as a final promise from one person to the other to bind their lives together. Many of my couples have had their Knot's framed in a memory box along with having the date of their marriage also engraved on the frame. You can also invite your family members and/or children to participate in this ritual by allowing them to present their own ribbon to the Officiant - to be incorporated in the "tying of the knot" ceremony.

The Butterfly Release Ceremony, symbolizes new beginnings and rebirths. What better way to celebrate the beginning of a new life  together with the releasing of butterflies at your wedding. Every release is unique and special just as every moment of your life together will be unique and special. Your butterfly release will inspire a memorable and unique experience to be cherished for a lifetime.  

The White Dove Release Ceremony:  For centuries, white doves have been released at wedding ceremonies and are the perfect symbol of the bond made in matrimony. At the wedding ceremony, two white doves may be released by the couple symbolizing their union as they begin their journey together. 

The Breaking of the Glass Ceremony:  At Jewish weddings, after the rabbi announces the newlyweds, the groom smashes a wrapped piece of glass with his foot. This is followed by applause and a cheer of "Mazel tov!" from the guests. Tradition says that the couple will remain married for as long as the glass is shattered. 

The Rose Ceremony to Honor Mothers is a great way to honor the Couple's mothers or other special family members during their wedding ceremony. This intimate gesture provides the couple with the opportunity 

to show their love and gratitude for the love and support that have been bestowed upon them by these individuals. 

The Rose Exchange between the Couple:  In the Rose Ceremony, the Couple is presented with 2 beautiful red roses by their parents (or other family members). Then the Couple exchange their own rose with each other. The Rose Ceremony is normally placed at the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced married by the Officiant. 

The  Wine Box Ceremony is a non-religious wedding ritual in which a bottle of wine is enclosed in a box so that it can be opened by the couple at a later date. Some couples opt to add an extra layer of meaning by including love letters to each other and sealing them in the box alongside the wine.  It's a great idea to pick a specific date upon which you'll open the wine—

say, your 10th wedding anniversary. 

The Jumping the Broom Ceremony is a time-honored wedding tradition in which the bride and groom jump over a broom during the ceremony.    Broom jumping is a centuries-old tradition that has become more increasingly popular due largely to the book “Roots” and the film “Jumping the Broom”. You’ll need a handmade natural-bristled broom decorated with ribbons, flowers, and mementos (making the broom is a perfect date night idea!). The bride and groom jump over the broom as an act of sweeping away any past wrongdoings and welcoming new beginnings. Jumping the broom can also be placed at the end of the ceremony to represent the joining of the two families.

Remembering the Deceased in your Ceremony can be incorporated in several ways. The simplest way for the Couple to keep memories of a loved one close to them (during the ceremony) is to carry their photo in a small frame attached to their bouquet or buttonhole.  A florist can secure the miniature frame, locket or charm to the handle of your flowers or boutonnière. You can also ask the Officiant to include a special moment of "remembrance" for your deceased loved ones (by name along with their significance) into your ceremony.

The Wedding Lasso Rosary Ceremony is a tradition in a unity ceremony performed after the exchange of vows using a lasso, rope or large rosary to join the couple. It is placed over the couple’s shoulders by either the Officiant or the godparents. This ritual symbolizes their everlasting union and status as one in the eyes of the Lord.

The wedding lasso can be anything but is typically an oversized rosary, silk cord, or flower garland. As long as the lasso is an oversized rosary with two loops to form the eternity symbol, your design options can be endless. When placed over the couple, it forms an “8” or infinity symbol and is typically joined in the middle by a crucifix. 

The wedding lasso is typically provided by the godparents. then presented to the Officiant who gently drapes it over the couple after their exchange of vows and rings.

The Ring Warming Ceremony is when you give your loved ones the opportunity to hold your wedding bands (during the ceremony) in order for them to be able to personally make a wish, or say a blessing or prayer upon them for your marriage - prior to your actual exchange of rings. By the time your rings make it on to your fingers they will be "blessed" with the love of your friends and family. Most couples will place their wedding rings into a special "see through" gauze pouch, or tie them together with a beautiful ribbon- so they can easily and safely be passed on to each family member. 

The Time Capsule Ceremony::  Gives you the opportunity for the couple to place mementos such as; photographs of the couple when you first met, personal greeting cards sent to each other,  a match book or napkin from a special event, tickets to your 1st event together, sealed love letters to each other,  a CD or flash drive of "your" love songs,  a bottle of wine to celebrate with when you open the box., a copy of your wedding invitation, engagement photos etc. During the ceremony, the Officiant will allow you the time to speak about these special items before you gently place them into your time capsule box and seal it - to be opened on your first, fifth, or maybe your tenth, wedding anniversary (or any other date that you choose). With this symbolic act you are forming a tangible memory, to be enjoyed in the future. 

Including Children in your Ceremony: If you're having a unity candle, sand ceremony or nontraditional unity ceremony alternative, this is the perfect chance to involve your children. By getting married, you really are making one big family, or reaffirming the existing family, so it makes total sense to give them a special role. Let them help light the unity candle, include multiple sand colors, be a part of the "tying the knot" by giving them their own ribbon, include them in the Flower Vase Ceremony or come up with something totally new and creative. Feel free to ask your Officiant what ritual has been found to be "age appropriate".

The Unity Puzzle Ceremony: There are many ways to celebrate the joining of two families in a wedding ceremony.  Some use unity candles.  Others use a sand ceremony. A Unity Puzzle Ceremony is a unique alternative Unity Ceremony. For couples, it tells your love story and symbolizes that your two lives have now become one newly formed family. For blended families, a unity puzzle celebrates the uniting of their two loving families. It has pieces that are different shapes and sizes just as each family member is unique with their own special qualities. But once the puzzle is complete, with each family member in place, it not only creates a beautiful picture but a beautiful and complete family.