Ceremonies enable one person to say something very
special to another, which they cannot say in any other
way. As a
civil/religious celebrant, when we officiate at a
wedding, we make a special occasion, a special time, a
special place.
We create the setting for a time apart.
We set out to create this time apart because we
want to make a memory; we want to move the emotions so
that long-term positive psychological and cultural
effects will follow.
The power of the symbol is immeasurable in moving human
emotions.
The dress, the cake, the music, the wedding group and I
can tell you one thing for sure:
the bride and the groom and their emotions are
what makes for guests ‘the true moment’.
It’s the look the touch, hopefully the uniqueness
of their ceremony that makes the wedding ceremony/day
stand out amongst other weddings.
And isn’t this what you want.
So what I’m trying to say is the wedding ceremony is so
vital to the success of the day.
Comments like, oh yeah! The wedding was OK, but
the beer was warm, or words like Oh! Couldn’t hear
anything of the ceremony, and it went on and on are
really quite demeaning to the occasion, especially since
this day has often been planned for a long time and the
money incurred to have everything just right’ for you’
is not of a minimal nature.
I suppose anything worth having good, ground work has to
go into it and at some ceremonies I’m involved with, so
much time, money and preparation go into the day I often
think ‘I wonder if the couple have put as much time into
their relationship’.
I see the day as being consciously symbolic,
telling symbolic stories, enacting symbolic dramas,
eating symbolic foods.
Symbolism allows the depths of what we feel to
shine through.
Ceremonies are a visual means for honouring that
unseen world that we feel within.
The structure and content of the ceremony should
grow out of the shared experience of those who gather.
There is enormous responsibility for the
celebrant being given the privilege of being invited to
perform any ceremony.
No wonder I get goose bumps.
Examples of Ring Ceremonies
Y
I
give you this ring in token of the vow made between us
and as a sign of my love and affection for you.
Y
I
give you this ring as a symbol of my love and as a sign
of my
promise.
Y
Having made these
promises to you, I take you today to be my lawful
wife/husband
whatever life may hold for us, and as a symbol of this
love
and trust I give you this ring.
Y
I give you this ring as
a symbol of my love forever for you.
Y
I give you this ring as
a token of my love and as evidence of the vow
we
have made.
wear it as a symbol of all that we share together.
Y
With this ring I wed
you, and promise my faithful love.
This weeks Zip or Zap
Have a piece of your mother’s bridal gown sewn onto
yours or wear parent’s or grandparent’s jewellery.
Have a great week
Annie.
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