Let's take a look at the some of the developments that have become staples of the wedding tradition, whether they be in the ceremony or at the reception.
Part 1: The Wedding Ceremony
Since 1975, as professional disc jockey service we have been part of numerous wedding ceremonies (over 6,000) that have taken place outside the traditional church setting, and we've observed many variations in the ceremony since that time. The following are not part of every ceremony, but will likely be around for some time to come.
The Unity Candle:
A most popular addition to the wedding ceremony, the Unity Candle, symbolizes the union of two families. It works best in an indoor setting.There are two variations to the Unity Candle. Each one employs two smaller candles. The first is to have the mothers of the bride and groom light the two smaller outside candles; the bride and groom then use these candles to light the larger main candle. The second and more popular variation calls for the bride and groom to light the smaller candles separately, and then together light the main candle.
Tip: If you are planning to use a Unity Candle, the best way to prevent the
candles from blowing out is buy a trick birthday candle at a party supply store. These candles never blow out. Take a drill bit the same size as the trick birthday candle and hollow out the wick in the main candle. Then, insert the trick candle into the hole. Now the candle will burn the entire time. (You can also do this for the two smaller candles. Just make sure you have something to extinguish them.
Sand ceremony:
In a sand Ceremony, it is similar in meaning to the Unity Candle, but works very well for outdoor weddings. The difference is that the Sand Ceremony usually represents the joining of two lives. Just as it would be impossible to separate two different colors of sand, it would similarly be impossible to separate the wedded partners. A benefit of the Sand Ceremony is that there will be a lasting keepsake. There are many variations to the Sand Ceremony, but two are quite popular. The more common variation calls for the bride and groom to pour sand of different colors into a vase. Choose a unique looking vase and two smaller vases that are both about half the size of the largest vase.
Fill the two smaller vases with colored sand. At the designated time, the bride and groom pour the sand from the smaller vases into the third vase.
Another way that works well if you and or your spouse have children from a previous relationship is to let them pour sand into the vase as well. Add one small vase of colored sand per child. Make sure that the big vase has the capacity for all the sand.
Tip: Make sure to choose contrasting colors of sand.
The Use of Bubbles:
Because rice and confetti are too hard to clean up, most venues will not allow them. The blowing of bubbles has acted as a replacement. Like confetti and rice, bubbles come into play when the officiant has declared that the bride and groom are a married couple.
Tip: The small containers for the soapy liquid can be expensive compared to a regular bottle of bubbles; therefore, arrange for someone to collect the bottles at the end of the wedding ceremony, and offer them for sale
on a wedding chat board. Refilling them with soap and water is easy.
Gifts to Stepchildren
If one or both of the bride and groom have children from a previous relationship, it may be important to ensure that they know that both adults will be there for them for a long time to come.
Thus, it is not uncommon for a stepparent to make some sort of promise to the stepchildren after the couple have exchanged their vows. In many cases, especially for younger female children, a ring or necklace is given. Keep in mind that this ceremony does not work for all families, and that the relationship between the child and the soon-to-be stepparent should be one that warrants this type of addition to the ceremony.
Facebook Update:
Fairly new to wedding ceremonies, some technologically savvy couples, or those that met through Facebook, are taking a moment just after they are pronounced a married couple, to pull out their smart phones and change their relationship status from engaged to married. It remains to be seen how popular this ritual will become, or how long it last in this ever changing tech world.
The next two ceremonies are becoming less common for different reasons
including local government regulations.
Dove Release:
Not as common as it once was, say seven or so years ago, is the
releasing of doves at weddings.
There are many different ways and times during a wedding ceremony when doves are released, such releasing a flock during the first kiss, or
the married couple each holding a dove and releasing them in unison
(called a Hand Release).
The use of dove has dropped in popularity in our area appears to be due to the lack of availability and the regulations that came into effect during the bird flu scare a few years ago.
Note that the birds are not really doves but white domestic homing pigeons. These birds are trained to return to their home when released.
Butterfly Release
The use of monarch butterflies at weddings came and went very quickly
in most areas. In general, government regulation has discouraged the practice.
The monarch butterflies are kept in boxes and are refrigerated to make
them go dormant. When they are released from the boxes, the butterflies revive and fly away. If monarch butterflies are to be used, one must know whether local regulations permit their release. Any company that provides them will be able to advise on their permissibility.
In Closing:
This article has discussed the different ceremonies that have been added to the traditional wedding ceremony over the years. There are many more, and it seems a new one comes along every few years. The next article in this series will look at the wedding reception and cover everything from the chocolate fountain to the entertainment.
Part 1: The Wedding Ceremony
Since 1975, as professional disc jockey service we have been part of numerous wedding ceremonies (over 6,000) that have taken place outside the traditional church setting, and we've observed many variations in the ceremony since that time. The following are not part of every ceremony, but will likely be around for some time to come.
The Unity Candle:
A most popular addition to the wedding ceremony, the Unity Candle, symbolizes the union of two families. It works best in an indoor setting.There are two variations to the Unity Candle. Each one employs two smaller candles. The first is to have the mothers of the bride and groom light the two smaller outside candles; the bride and groom then use these candles to light the larger main candle. The second and more popular variation calls for the bride and groom to light the smaller candles separately, and then together light the main candle.
Tip: If you are planning to use a Unity Candle, the best way to prevent the
candles from blowing out is buy a trick birthday candle at a party supply store. These candles never blow out. Take a drill bit the same size as the trick birthday candle and hollow out the wick in the main candle. Then, insert the trick candle into the hole. Now the candle will burn the entire time. (You can also do this for the two smaller candles. Just make sure you have something to extinguish them.
Sand ceremony:
In a sand Ceremony, it is similar in meaning to the Unity Candle, but works very well for outdoor weddings. The difference is that the Sand Ceremony usually represents the joining of two lives. Just as it would be impossible to separate two different colors of sand, it would similarly be impossible to separate the wedded partners. A benefit of the Sand Ceremony is that there will be a lasting keepsake. There are many variations to the Sand Ceremony, but two are quite popular. The more common variation calls for the bride and groom to pour sand of different colors into a vase. Choose a unique looking vase and two smaller vases that are both about half the size of the largest vase.
Fill the two smaller vases with colored sand. At the designated time, the bride and groom pour the sand from the smaller vases into the third vase.
Another way that works well if you and or your spouse have children from a previous relationship is to let them pour sand into the vase as well. Add one small vase of colored sand per child. Make sure that the big vase has the capacity for all the sand.
Tip: Make sure to choose contrasting colors of sand.
The Use of Bubbles:
Because rice and confetti are too hard to clean up, most venues will not allow them. The blowing of bubbles has acted as a replacement. Like confetti and rice, bubbles come into play when the officiant has declared that the bride and groom are a married couple.
Tip: The small containers for the soapy liquid can be expensive compared to a regular bottle of bubbles; therefore, arrange for someone to collect the bottles at the end of the wedding ceremony, and offer them for sale
on a wedding chat board. Refilling them with soap and water is easy.
Gifts to Stepchildren
If one or both of the bride and groom have children from a previous relationship, it may be important to ensure that they know that both adults will be there for them for a long time to come.
Thus, it is not uncommon for a stepparent to make some sort of promise to the stepchildren after the couple have exchanged their vows. In many cases, especially for younger female children, a ring or necklace is given. Keep in mind that this ceremony does not work for all families, and that the relationship between the child and the soon-to-be stepparent should be one that warrants this type of addition to the ceremony.
Facebook Update:
Fairly new to wedding ceremonies, some technologically savvy couples, or those that met through Facebook, are taking a moment just after they are pronounced a married couple, to pull out their smart phones and change their relationship status from engaged to married. It remains to be seen how popular this ritual will become, or how long it last in this ever changing tech world.
The next two ceremonies are becoming less common for different reasons
including local government regulations.
Dove Release:
Not as common as it once was, say seven or so years ago, is the
releasing of doves at weddings.
There are many different ways and times during a wedding ceremony when doves are released, such releasing a flock during the first kiss, or
the married couple each holding a dove and releasing them in unison
(called a Hand Release).
The use of dove has dropped in popularity in our area appears to be due to the lack of availability and the regulations that came into effect during the bird flu scare a few years ago.
Note that the birds are not really doves but white domestic homing pigeons. These birds are trained to return to their home when released.
Butterfly Release
The use of monarch butterflies at weddings came and went very quickly
in most areas. In general, government regulation has discouraged the practice.
The monarch butterflies are kept in boxes and are refrigerated to make
them go dormant. When they are released from the boxes, the butterflies revive and fly away. If monarch butterflies are to be used, one must know whether local regulations permit their release. Any company that provides them will be able to advise on their permissibility.
In Closing:
This article has discussed the different ceremonies that have been added to the traditional wedding ceremony over the years. There are many more, and it seems a new one comes along every few years. The next article in this series will look at the wedding reception and cover everything from the chocolate fountain to the entertainment.
About the Author:
Learn more about finding a Toronto DJ. Stop by Robert Hawkins's site where you can find a DJ in Toronto.
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