Cultural Rituals

CULTURAL RITUALS - GENERAL: EXAMPLES

(COLORS)

1. [Incorporate the culture's colors into your wedding. One way to do this is to use the colors of the nation's flag (e.g. Italy - red, white, and green). Or use a color closely connected to the country (e.g. Ireland - green)]

(FASHION)

2. [Wear culturally traditional attire for the ceremony]

(FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS)

3. [Choose wedding flowers and arrangements that are popular for your culture]

CULTURAL RITUALS THAT CAN GO ANYWHERE IN THE CEREMONY: EXAMPLES

(MUSIC)

4. [Use the music of your culture for some of the musical selections]

(READINGS)

5. [Have a reading done entirely in a foreign language. Translation may or may not be provided]

CULTURAL RITUALS in PART 3 - CONSUMMATING THE MARRIAGE: EXAMPLES

(VOWS - FOR WEDDINGS WHERE THE FAMILIES ARE FROM TWO DIFFERENT CULTURES)

6. [The Bride can say her vows in the language of the Groom's family, and the Groom can say his vows in the language of the Bride's family]

(GREEK CROWN RITUAL)

7. For thousands of years, people in Greece have been crowned with floral wreaths, signifying achievement. At weddings the wreaths signify mastery of the bride and groom's home. These wreaths, the Stephana, are bound by a single cord, a cord of love and commitment. The flowers represent romance and life's sweet blessings. As they are crowned, ______________ and _____________ are forever united. We now call forth, _________ (a relative or friend of the couple), who has the honor of exchanging the wreaths three times, as is the custom.

[relative/friend takes crowns from a table and exchanges crowns three times on the heads of the bride and groom]

_______________ and ________________, may all that you have already become, which has brought you to this day, and all you will become as a consequence of it, in the lifelong joining of your hearts and minds, continue to show you your purpose. May you always be brought most beautifully and steadfastly into the presence of yourselves and of one another, and may you live long and happily fulfilling all that you are. Amen.

[relative/friend takes crowns off and places them back on table]

(SECULAR CELTIC HANDBINDING RITUAL)

8. {Now, we are going to perform a ritual called a Handbinding. In ancient Celtic culture, couples announced their marriage through what is called a Handbinding. When a couple joins hands and takes on a new life together, their destinies are tied into one future. This tradition includes a cord to symbolize that as husband and wife, ___________________ and ___________________ will be bound together as one family.}

[Celebrant holds Ribbon up so Guests can see it]

___________________ and ___________________ have chosen to unite their hands and hearts into one life.

[Celebrant ties Hands in a Bow with Ribbon]

Notice that each person is still an individual but now they are working together.

___________________ and ___________________, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives are joined in a union of love and trust. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars your love should be a constant source of light, and the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow.

[Celebrant Unties Hands]

(SPIRITUAL CELTIC HANDBINDING RITUAL)

9. {Now, we are going to perform a ritual called a Handbinding. In ancient Celtic culture, couples announced their marriage through what is called a Handbinding. When a couple joins hands and takes on a new life together, their destinies are tied into one future. This tradition includes a cord to symbolize that as husband and wife, ___________________ and ___________________ will be bound together as one family.}

[Celebrant holds Ribbon up so Guests can see it]

___________________ and ___________________ have chosen to unite their hands and hearts into one life.

[Celebrant ties Hands in a Bow with Ribbon]

Notice that each person is still an individual but now they are working together.

___________________ and ___________________, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars your love should be a constant source of light, and the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow.

[Celebrant Unties Hands]

(SECULAR NATIVE AMERICAN SMUDGING RITUAL)

10. [Celebrant takes Smudge Sticks]

We will now perform the Native American Ritual of Smudging as we light these sage smudge sticks. This is an act of purification and cleansing. Sage is considered a sacred plant, and fire is a great purifier. It will be offered to the four corners of the earth as we say a Blackfoot Indian incantation to the four directions. As this is done, all thoughts, all energies are purified and transformed, from the negative to the positive, from darkness to light, from disharmony to peace, and from fear to love.

[Celebrant holds the smudge sticks as Bride and Groom light them]

[Celebrant faces to the West]

Over to the West are the mountains. May you see them as long as you live, for from them you receive sweet pine for incense.

[Celebrant faces to the North]

Strength will come form the North. May you look for many years upon the star that never moves.

[Celebrant faces to the East]

Old age will come from below in the East, from where comes the light of the sun.

[Celebrant faces to the South]

May the warm winds of the South bring you food, and nourish your union with light, harmony, and love.

In honor of and gratitude for the women who gave ___________________ and ___________________ life, we now invite their mothers to complete this ancient ritual by bathing the couple in the purifying smoke - waving the sticks before, behind, and around them. As they do this, we ask you to offer your silent wishes for ___________________ and ___________________.

[Mothers take turns waving the smudge sticks around couple]

[Celebrant takes sticks back and places them in a safe place]

(SPIRITUAL NATIVE AMERICAN SMUDGING RITUAL)

11. [Celebrant takes Smudge Sticks]

We will now perform the Native American Ritual of Smudging as we light these sage smudge sticks. This is an act of purification and cleansing. Sage is considered a sacred plant, and fire is a great purifier. It will be offered to the four corners of the earth as we say a Blackfoot Indian prayer to the four directions. As this is done, all thoughts, all energies are purified and transformed, from the negative to the positive, from darkness to light, from disharmony to peace, and from fear to love.