Besides the Sand Ceremony what are.....

I went to a wedding this past weekend that had a hand binding ceremony. The bride and grooms hands were tied together to symbolize the unity of their souls and lives.

Ok, this is taken from a Jewish ceremony, but with a twist I think it could be really touching for anyone. In jewish ceremonies they do what is called the Seven Blessings, and when each blessing is read the groom circles the bride (or vice versa, I forget). Anyway, take out the actual blessings and your officiant could you have you circle each other just once, kind of to sybmbolize you enveloping each other and becoming one. Maybe you could find some sort of nice saying or reading/poem that talks about two becoming one, or have the officiant say something about it and then say, to illustrate this union the bride and groom will circle each other. I don't know, just throwing out an idea.

We are doing a wine ceremony. Where we each take a sip from our glass and then we pour into one glass to form a new wine and drink from that. I liked it because it symbolizes taking in the vows and their becoming part of you.

ETA: We are doing a rose ceremony also but it's a little different. It's a way to thank the parents during the ceremony. We give a rose to each mother.

There is this spanish/mid E tradition of the Arras Coins.
each coin symbolizes something different in the union of the two

Wedding Unity Coins / Arras Coins/ Arras Wedding Unity Coins

History
The custom of the wedding unity coins originated in Spain. The Maid of honor of arras holds the thirteen gold unity coins (arras) are given to the bride by the bridegroom, signifying he will support her. Often presented in ornate boxes or gift trays, this represents the bride’s dowry and holds good wishes for prosperity. These coins become a part of their family heirloom.

Groom’s pledge to the bride
The groom gives the bride thirteen gold unity coins as a symbol of his unquestionable trust and confidence. The symbolism, which may be explained by the officiant, is that the Groom recognizes his responsibility as a provider, and pledges his ability to support and care for her. Acceptance by the bride means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence.

Why 13 coins?
The number 13 represents Christ and his 12 apostles.

How to use in ceremony
The Unity coins are presented to the priest by a friend or relative (usually the purchaser). The priest then blesses the coins and hands them to the bride who places them in the groom's cupped hands at the beginning of the ceremony. The coins are then placed on a tray and handed to an assistant to be held until later in the ceremony. Near the end of the ceremony the box and coins are given to the priest who places the unity coins in the box and hands them to the groom.

The groom will then pour the unity coins into the bride's cupped hands and places the box on top. This represent his giving her control as his mistress of all his worldly goods. (Sometimes their hands are tied with a ribbon for this portion of the ceremony.)

Its not really short but its very meaningful.

We're doing a hand ceremony. Its not the same as the hand binding. Here's how it goes...


The Hand Ceremony:

BRIDE'S NAME, please face GROOM'S NAME, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are
to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and
strong and vibrant with love that are holding yours on
your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the
days of his life. These are the hands that will work
along side yours, as together you build your future,
as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost
secrets and dreams. These are the hands you will place
with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too,
feels his child stir within you. These are the hands
that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle
as he holds your baby for the first time. These are
the hands that will work long hours for you and your
new family. These are the hands that will
passionately love you and cherish you through the
years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands
that will countless times wipe the tears from
your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are
the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold
you when fear or grief is in your mind. These are the hands
that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your
cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes:
eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming
love and desire for you.



GROOM'S NAME, please hold BRIDE'S NAME hands, palms
up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young
and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding
day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all
the days of her life. These are the hands that will
hold each child in tender love, soothing them through
illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them
along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will massage tension from you
neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a
long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you
tight as you struggle through difficult times. These
are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick,
or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands
that will passionately love you and cherish you
through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These
are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement
and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have
another child that together you have created a new
life. These are the hands that will give you support
as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. And
lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled
and aged will be reaching for yours, still giving you
the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

---

Posted by Ana and Darryl

There is this spanish/mid E tradition of the Arras Coins.
each coin symbolizes something different in the union of the two

Wedding Unity Coins / Arras Coins/ Arras Wedding Unity Coins

History
The custom of the wedding unity coins originated in Spain. The Maid of honor of arras holds the thirteen gold unity coins (arras) are given to the bride by the bridegroom, signifying he will support her. Often presented in ornate boxes or gift trays, this represents the bride’s dowry and holds good wishes for prosperity. These coins become a part of their family heirloom.

Groom’s pledge to the bride
The groom gives the bride thirteen gold unity coins as a symbol of his unquestionable trust and confidence. The symbolism, which may be explained by the officiant, is that the Groom recognizes his responsibility as a provider, and pledges his ability to support and care for her. Acceptance by the bride means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence.

Why 13 coins?
The number 13 represents Christ and his 12 apostles.

How to use in ceremony
The Unity coins are presented to the priest by a friend or relative (usually the purchaser). The priest then blesses the coins and hands them to the bride who places them in the groom's cupped hands at the beginning of the ceremony. The coins are then placed on a tray and handed to an assistant to be held until later in the ceremony. Near the end of the ceremony the box and coins are given to the priest who places the unity coins in the box and hands them to the groom.

The groom will then pour the unity coins into the bride's cupped hands and places the box on top. This represent his giving her control as his mistress of all his worldly goods. (Sometimes their hands are tied with a ribbon for this portion of the ceremony.)

Its not really short but its very meaningful.

---

Ana I am doing this as well. I still have to explain it to FH over and over what it means since he is not Latino.

---

Posted by cds58019

We're doing a hand ceremony. Its not the same as the hand binding. Here's how it goes...


The Hand Ceremony:

BRIDE'S NAME, please face GROOM'S NAME, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are
to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and
strong and vibrant with love that are holding yours on
your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the
days of his life. These are the hands that will work
along side yours, as together you build your future,
as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost
secrets and dreams. These are the hands you will place
with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too,
feels his child stir within you. These are the hands
that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle
as he holds your baby for the first time. These are
the hands that will work long hours for you and your
new family. These are the hands that will
passionately love you and cherish you through the
years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands
that will countless times wipe the tears from
your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are
the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold
you when fear or grief is in your mind. These are the hands
that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your
cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes:
eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming
love and desire for you.



GROOM'S NAME, please hold BRIDE'S NAME hands, palms
up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young
and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding
day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all
the days of her life. These are the hands that will
hold each child in tender love, soothing them through
illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them
along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will massage tension from you
neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a
long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you
tight as you struggle through difficult times. These
are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick,
or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands
that will passionately love you and cherish you
through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These
are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement
and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have
another child that together you have created a new
life. These are the hands that will give you support
as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. And
lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled
and aged will be reaching for yours, still giving you
the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

---

OMG I LOVE this one! i think this is it! Im crying at my desk! i have to send it to FH!!! thanks!

I found this website- click me

they have different culture's wedding customs on it.

---

Posted by cds58019

We're doing a hand ceremony. Its not the same as the hand binding. Here's how it goes...


The Hand Ceremony:

BRIDE'S NAME, please face GROOM'S NAME, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are
to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and
strong and vibrant with love that are holding yours on
your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the
days of his life. These are the hands that will work
along side yours, as together you build your future,
as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost
secrets and dreams. These are the hands you will place
with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too,
feels his child stir within you. These are the hands
that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle
as he holds your baby for the first time. These are
the hands that will work long hours for you and your
new family. These are the hands that will
passionately love you and cherish you through the
years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands
that will countless times wipe the tears from
your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are
the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold
you when fear or grief is in your mind. These are the hands
that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your
cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes:
eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming
love and desire for you.



GROOM'S NAME, please hold BRIDE'S NAME hands, palms
up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young
and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding
day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all
the days of her life. These are the hands that will
hold each child in tender love, soothing them through
illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them
along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will massage tension from you
neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a
long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you
tight as you struggle through difficult times. These
are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick,
or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands
that will passionately love you and cherish you
through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These
are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement
and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have
another child that together you have created a new
life. These are the hands that will give you support
as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. And
lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled
and aged will be reaching for yours, still giving you
the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

---

OMG!!! I am in tears!! That is sooo beautiful!! Seriously, I have chills all over. I am definatly using this in my ceremony..thank you so much for posting that!!