Ceremonies (Candle, Tree Planting, Sand & Water)

Candle Ceremonies

Candle Ceremony #1

From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven.

When two souls who are destined to be together find  each other, their streams of light flow together, and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being.

Human love is not a substitute for divine love— it is an extension of  it.

Bride and Groom, when you see each other as the divine and eternal beings that you are, you will never cease to wonder and glory in your coming together.

The purpose of human love is to awaken love for God.

The truth that is continually reborn is that within each human being burns the spark of the divine.

When two people love one another with devotion and freedom, they kindle the awareness of that spark in each other as nothing else quite can  do.

Bride and Groom, in committing to one another today, you kindle one another’s divine light and promise always to do your best to see that light in one another, to nurture and tend that divine flame in your partner as best you can each day, especially at the times it may be hardest to do, and the times your partner may doubt or forget the existence of that light within him or herself.

Bride, take this candle now, and light it from the center candle representing the divine source.

As you do so, symbolically enter the sacred trust to honor the divine spirit in Groom.

Groom, as you light this candle from the divine source, symbolically enter the sacred trust to honor the divine spirit in Bride.

Now, bring your individual flames together, symbolizing the new and greater flame of your marriage, remembering that just as this union is made stronger by your strength as individuals, so are you as individuals made stronger by the strength of this union.

And never forget that the light of your union, while made up of your unique and individual expressions of light, is continually sustained and renewed by your connection to the eternal and inexhaustible light of God, the Source.

 

Some couples choose to extend the light to their guests as well. The ushers distribute candles to all the guests as they arrive. After lighting and joining together their own candles, the Bride and Groom turn to the Best Man and Maid of Honor to light their candles. They in turn pass the light to other members of the bridal party and then it is extended through the Bride’s and Groom’s parents to all the guests. Given the time it takes to do this, however, it is best done only in small gatherings. Some background music works well here. The text for this goes as follows.

 Candle Ceremony #1a

Will everyone please stand?

Now, share the blessings of your divine love by passing the light to your guests, bringing us all more deeply into one accord as we stand together in celebration of your sacred union.

As we pass the light, let us take a moment to look into the eyes of the one we are passing the light to.

As you receive the light, take a moment to silently extend your own special blessing to Bride and Groom on their wedding day.

The next version of the Candle Ceremony is an abbreviated rewrite of the first version. This one is designed for those who would like to do a Candle Ceremony without reference to God. Here, the center candle represents the marriage while the other two candles represent the Bride and the Groom. A small votive candle is lit before the ceremony begins and the other candles are lit from it.

Candle Ceremony #2

Every human being possesses a special light that burns within  them.

When two spirits, destined to be together, find each other, their streams of light flow together, and a single, brighter light goes forth from their union.

Bride and Groom, by committing to one another today, you kindle the light within each other, and promise to do your best to always see that light within one another, to nurture and tend that flame in your partner  as best you can, especially in difficult times, when this may be hardest to do.

Bride, take this candle as a symbol of your spirit; and Groom, take this candle as a symbol of your spirit.

Now joining your individual flames together, light the center candle which symbolizes the spirit of your union and the new and greater flame of your marriage.

As you do so, silently vow to tend the spirit of this union, and never forget that just as this union is made stronger by your strength as individuals, so are you as individuals made stronger by the strength of this union.

The next adaptation of the Baal Shem Tov Candle Ceremony is designed to include young children from previous marriages in the candle lighting. The wording has been altered to be more meaningful to the children.

Candle Ceremony #3

God has made each person  unique, and each of us is born with special gifts.

Within each of us there rises a light that reaches straight to the heavens.

And when two people like Bride and Groom find each other, their light touches  together and a single brighter light is created from their being together.

When a family is formed as an extension of this union, the light gets even brighter because of the light that flows from the children as  well.

The purpose of human love is to awaken love for life. Within each person burns the spark of life, and when people love one another, they make each other more aware of that spark within each other.

Bride, Groom, and Child, take these candles now, and light them from this center candle representing the source of life.

As you do so, symbolically enter the sacred trust to honor the spirit in one another.

Now, bring your individual flames together, symbolizing the new and greater flame of your family, remembering that just as this union is made stronger  by your strength as  individuals, so are you as individuals made stronger by the strength of this union.

May the light of your family guide you through your lives. May it always help you to know that your life has purpose.

May it also show you that while there is sadness in  life, there is also great joy and  comfort. May this light help you to see the wonder of the world around  you.

May it remind you to see the light in others with whom you cross paths.

And may the light that is the love you share grow brighter with time.

This next version is also designed to include children but preserves the language of the first Candle Ceremony.

Candle  Ceremony #4

Child 1 and Child 2, will you please come and join  us?

From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven.

And when two souls who are destined to be together find  each other, their streams of light flow together, and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being.

When a family is formed as an extension of this union, the  light  is intensified by the light that flows from the children as well.

Human love is not a substitute for divine love. It is an extension of  it.

And when each of you come to know one another as the divine and eternal beings that you are, you will never cease to wonder and glory in your coming together.

The purpose of human love is to awaken love for God.

The truth that is continually reborn is that within each human being burns the spark of the divine.

When people love one another with devotion and freedom, they kindle the awareness of that spark in each other as nothing else quite can do.

Bride, Groom, Child 1, and Child 2, in joining together today, you kindle one another’s divine light and promise always to do your best to see that light in each other, to nurture and tend that divine flame in one another as best you can each day,especially at the times it may be hardest to  do, and the times when one of you may doubt or forget the existence of that light within him or herself.

Take these candles now, and light them from this center candle representing the divine source.

As you do so, symbolically enter the sacred trust to honor the divine spirit in one another.

Now, bring your individual flames together, symbolizing the new and greater flame of your family, remembering that just as this union is made stronger  by your strength as  individuals, so are you as individuals made stronger by the strength of this union.

And never forget that the light of your union, while made up of your unique and individual expressions  of light, is continually sustained and renewed by your connection to the eternal and inexhaustible light of God, the Source.

Candle Ceremony #5

The lighting of the Unity Candle is a ritual symbolizing the union of two people as they enter into marriage.

The Unity Candle itself represents the oneness that is being created by the joining of their individual lives into a shared journey. The  individual  candles  symbolize the uniqueness of Bride and  Groom as they walk side by side heading in the same direction. They are separate yet one.

The lighting of the Unity Candle in the presence of God symbolizes the great mystery of the union of two becoming one. Bride and Groom, always remember that as you join together in marriage, you are still two separate beings, each with your own unique needs, dreams, and desires, and that in marriage, you are creating a covenant of loving, caring, and sharing between you.

Now, Bride and Groom, as you bring these lights which symbolize your individual selves closer and closer  together, your individual flames merge into the greater light of your union.

As you light the Unity Candle to symbolize the enduring flame of your marriage, let us each take a moment to silently express our prayerful wishes for your happiness and well-being in this marriage.

And let us remember that just as Bride and Groom are becoming one, so are we coming together into a circle of family and friends in loving support of this marriage.

Bride and Groom, tend the light of your loving union with great devotion and kindness.

May you be blessed with a lifelong partnership of loving and learning through God’s grace.

This next Candle Ceremony uses either five or seven candles to include either the mothers or all four parents of the Bride and Groom. The mothers or parents come forward and light their candles from two votive candles that are lit prior to the cere– mony. They then turn to light the candles of the Bride and Groom, who in turn light the Unity Candle. The text is as follows.

Candle Ceremony #6

Within each human being burns the spark of the divine light that illuminates us all.

As Bride and Groom’s mothers/parents light their candles, we are reminded of the faith, wisdom, and love that have been passed on to Bride and Groom from the generations before them.

Each generation has passed on their light through the mystery of two becoming one. And here again today, we witness the gathering light as two families become one.

As they light Bride’s and Groom’s candles, they pass their heritage into this newly forming family and once again two become one. And finally, as Bride and Groom light the Unity Candle, they are symbolically stepping onto the shared path of their marriage.

May their love for each other grow deeper each day.

And may they tend this union well so they may enjoy the fruits of its harvest— abiding in peace, joy, and happiness.

This last version occurs after the exchange of rings. The Couple steps forward, picking up two candles and lighting a large central candle. The text is as follows:

 Candle Ceremony #7

This flame you ignite before us today is strong and shining brightly.

May you tend it well so that it may shine throughout your lives.

May the warmth of the love it symbolizes forever bring you courage, reassurance, and comfort and fill you both with strength and joy.

 

Tree Planting Ceremony

Tree Planting Ceremony #1

Within each human being there is a spirit, an immaterial essence unique to each individual. Some might call this a soul, others an inner voice, and yet others may give it no name at  all.

Yet, we all recognize the set of motivating passions, beliefs, impulses, and heartfelt truths, which make up the person we know as our true self.

When two people meet and share these true selves freely, a special union develops.

And when it is two naturally kindred spirits who meet, they intuitively recognize each other and their kinship as love.

Bride and Groom, in committing to one another today, you give expression to the kinship that exists between you, acknowledging the new strength and meaning it gives your lives.

You promise always to be true to yourselves and to share your true selves with each  other.

You promise also to nurture and tend the spirit in the other, especially in difficult times and times when one of you may forget the existence of that spirit within him or herself.

It is with these thoughts that Bride and Groom plant this seedling in soil from the land of both of their families.

(Bride and Groom plant their seedling.)

Just  as  the  kinship between Bride and Groom needs  nurturing, so does this seedling which symbolizes the joining of two families and the start of new life.

Sand Ceremony

Sand Ceremony #1

Bride and Groom

today you join your lives together promising to walk side by side heading in the same direction into your future.

You promise to carry each other’s hearts in the palms of your hands with tender loving care as you journey through the trials and triumphs of life that lie ahead of you.

Now, take your individual vessels of sand representing your lives from birth to this day.

As you pour them into the central container representing your shared union, you are symbolically blending your individual lives into a marriage partnership— walking the road of life together from this day forward.

Just as these grains of sand can never be separated, so too may you be united in love for the rest of your lives.

Water Ceremony

Water Ceremony #1

Many of us have been blessed to notice that when we share a true and abiding love with a partner, even plain water tastes sweet.

Bride and Groom, share this clear water now as a symbol of the sweet and precious love you share.

(The Bride and Groom give each other a drink from the same glass.)

 As you do so, remember that just as you are now partaking of the sweetness and purity of this fresh and clean water, you have already been blessed to partake of the brilliance and magnificence of the love you share.

By devoting yourselves to cherishing and nurturing this love, may your marriage grow sweeter with each passing year.