Church
We're having the ceremony at the church I've gone to my entire life. I couldn't imagine getting married anywhere else.
Sand Ceremony
Shawn and I saw a sand ceremony done at a friend's wedding and really loved it. I searched high and low for a religious version of it, and here's what I finally found. This is the basic idea of what will be said... (Be warned: it's kind of long)
Shawn and Abbey, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings. This covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives.
You are committing here today to share the rest of your lives with one another. Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these three individual containers of sand into a fourth one. One, representing you, Shawn, and all you were, are, and will be. One, representing you, Abbey, and all you were, are, and will be. The third represents Christ and all that He is and will forever be. As these three containers of sand are poured into the fourth container, the individual containers of sand continue to exist, but a fourth entity is also created; one that did not exist before but will last forever.
(Minister pours the Christ layer) This layer represents Christ who is and always will be the foundation of both of you as individuals.
Shawn, pour some of your sand which will represent you as an individual.
Abbey, pour some of your sand which will represent you as an individual.
(Minister pours more of the Christ layer) This layer represents Christ as the foundation of your marriage.
Shawn and Abbey, now pour your remaining sand into the container together to represent the joining of your two individual lives into this union of marriage. Just as the individual grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so your marriage will be.
Shawn and Abbey, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings. This covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives.
You are committing here today to share the rest of your lives with one another. Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these three individual containers of sand into a fourth one. One, representing you, Shawn, and all you were, are, and will be. One, representing you, Abbey, and all you were, are, and will be. The third represents Christ and all that He is and will forever be. As these three containers of sand are poured into the fourth container, the individual containers of sand continue to exist, but a fourth entity is also created; one that did not exist before but will last forever.
(Minister pours the Christ layer) This layer represents Christ who is and always will be the foundation of both of you as individuals.
Shawn, pour some of your sand which will represent you as an individual.
Abbey, pour some of your sand which will represent you as an individual.
(Minister pours more of the Christ layer) This layer represents Christ as the foundation of your marriage.
Shawn and Abbey, now pour your remaining sand into the container together to represent the joining of your two individual lives into this union of marriage. Just as the individual grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so your marriage will be.
Miscellaneous Ceremony Details
I love the way the ititials look on the doors!
Sorry if the picture isn't there... it just doesn't seem to want to "stick" for some reason. Everytime I look at this page, the picture is gone again after I upload it.
Sorry if the picture isn't there... it just doesn't seem to want to "stick" for some reason. Everytime I look at this page, the picture is gone again after I upload it.
50% off at Hobby Lobby! I might end up spray painting them silver, we'll see.
Engagement Ring Words? I don't know what else to call it.
I don't know if we'll include this in our ceremony, but I really like the reading and placing of the engagement ring on the bride's finger.
"Groom, please take Bride's engagement ring. This ring is a symbol of promise and intention. Now the intention is realized and the promise fulfilled. Please place this ring on Bride's finger over her wedding band to symbolize that the love that brought you together will always protect and sustain your marriage."
"Groom, please take Bride's engagement ring. This ring is a symbol of promise and intention. Now the intention is realized and the promise fulfilled. Please place this ring on Bride's finger over her wedding band to symbolize that the love that brought you together will always protect and sustain your marriage."
Possible Readings
1 John 4:7-12
Mark 10:6-9
Mark 10:6-9
