This stunning venue was a wonderful backdrop to the Naming ceremony I conducted yesterday.  

However, as wonderful as it was it didn't compete with Alexandra's smiles and giggles ! 

Celebrant led ceremonies are crafted to match your individual wishes.  This is what makes each one unique.

Often couples choose to include a symbolic action.  In this series of  posts I am going to explore some of these.  I hope they may provide you with inspiration for your own ceremony.

Within a Couples ceremony the partners exchange letters they have written to each other.  Prior to writing they are asked not to discuss the contents with each other.  The letters explain what they feel about each other and their hopes for the future.
The letters are sealed and exchanged during the ceremony.  (Often when making the promises.) 

The couple agree on a date in the future when they will sit together and open the letters. 

However, the stresses of everyday life sometimes mean that although we don't realise it the romance in any relationship gets pushed into the background.  Should this happen then the letters can be either opened or reread.  Looking at them again might help to recapture some of the excitement and special feelings that you together in the early stages of the relationship. What better way to reaffirm or rekindle some of those feelings?
 
Letters can also be used within a Naming or Welcoming ceremony too.  Parents can write a letter for the future expressing their love and hopes.  A variation of this is to ask guests to also contribute their best wishes in a book or written on a card.  In years to come these can be shared with your child as they grow.
 
Next time:  Love locks
 

This is the second in this series exploring how symbolic actions can be used in Celebrant led ceremonies.

A sand ceremony creates  a lasting and meaningful keepsake of the promises that are being made. A sand ceremony is suitable for all types of ceremonies.

During a sand ceremony different coloured sands are poured into a single container. Each participant has different coloured sand. They take it in turns to pour their sand into the container - creating layers of different colours.  Once poured it is almost impossible to separate.

The wording for a sand ceremony reflects the different contributions each person brings to the whole.

As an alternative to sand, coloured beads or marbles can be used.
 
Next time:  Letters

 
Celebrant led ceremonies are crafted to match your individual wishes.  This is what makes each one unique.

Often couples choose to include a symbolic action.  In my next few posts I am going to explore some of these.  I hope they may provide you with inspiration for your own ceremony.

Lighting a candle is an action which is found in many different cultures and traditions.

A candle gives us light to guide us along life's path.  There are many ways to include lighting candle - often referred to as a Unity candle.  For instance in a Couples ceremony one large candle might be lit from two separate candles acknowledging that two individuals are now uniting in a new relationship.

Lighting a candle within a Naming or Welcoming ceremony symbolises the light which has been bought into the lives of those present, by the child, and is a look to the child's future as the light illuminates their path through life.

There are many variations for the wording used for this simple act.  The meaning behind the action may be different for each individual.

​Next time:  Sand ceremonies.