Light
Ceremony Synopsis
After an introduction we await the arrival of the bride who might enter to a piper or to someone singing. Once she's arrived we have a spoken or sung blessing for everyone to join in with giving time for the bride and groom to calm their nerves and take a moment to arrive. We then create our sacred space with some words to welcome everyone leading into a moment of silence and prayer.
Then we hear something of the couple's story. Interwoven with two or three readings we also hear about what marriage will mean to them and their hopes for the future.
We have a simple Candle Lighting ritual using three candles. The bride has a candle already lit, and the groom has a candle already lit, symbolising their individual light, their divinity. They will take light from each of their candles respectively by using tapers and then join their lights together to light a third candle, representing that which comes into being by their union.
This leads into a simple handfasting ritual. Once tied together in a way that's unique to each couple the couple make their vows to each other. We complete the ritual before the couple then exchange rings or gifts.
We finish with a final blessing and pronouncement of marriage. Then the bride and groom process out to uplifting music and we sign the paperwork.