Symbolic Actions are an element of your ceremony which has some ‘symbolism’ and ‘meaning’. There are many different Symbolic Actions that can be a part of your ceremony.

Here are just a few. These can be adapted to suit all occasions and aren’t just for couple’s ceremonies, they can also be incorporated into ‘Naming Ceremonies’ and ‘Family Joining Ceremonies’ too.

Hand Fasting

This is an ancient ceremonial ritual. It involves pieces of ribbons, chords, material, lace being tied around the hands of the couple. This can be done by the celebrant or can involve members of their families or friends. It is where the saying ‘Tying the knot’ comes from.

Candle Ceremony

This ceremony can also involve family and friends, where the couple light a ‘Unity Candle’ at the same time, to symbolise that their love will be a shining light in their future together and that they will provide warmth and love to each other.

Tree Planting Ceremony

Again this can be a ceremony that the couple take a part in or their family and friends too.The couple transfer a sapling to a new container representing their growth together and that they will become stronger by nurturing and loving each other as you do a new tree. The guests can all add some soil to the pot or a message written on bio-degradable paper that will help to nourish the sapling. If you have family that live a distance away, they could bring some soil to represent the family love from another part of the country. This also works well for Naming Ceremonies, with the tree being a symbol of a child growing and nurtured by everyone.

Sand Ceremony

This ceremony can be used in many ways. In a Couple’s Ceremony, it can represent two lives mixing together that cannot be separated. Also in a Family Ceremony it can include children each having their own colour of sand which is added together in a single glass container. After everyone has poured their own sand into the vessel, it is then mixed by the adults, again symbolising a mix of their family that can never be separated.

Other Symbolic Actions include Ring Warming, Stone Ceremonies, Lock Ceremonies,Jumping the Broom and Memory Box Ceremonies.Perhaps you would like to think of your own Symbolic Action, that relates to you as a coupleand your life going forward.If you have any questions or ideas about different ’Symbolic Actions’ please feel free to askme.