From mixing marbles to tying the cord, here, a list of five unique wedding traditions to incorporate into
wedding
planning for your
wedding ceremony.
1. Unity Marbles Bowl
An alternative to the unity candle, the unity marbles bowl mixes require elders, parents and other family to mix in marbles one at a time to create a lovely mosaic that signifies beauty of marriage and the idea of blending families.
2. Blending Sand
This wedding ceremony tradition asks the couple to pour various colored sand into a glass jar, which represents their past, the present and the future ahead.
3. Cambodian Cord
In Asia, the color red is a sacred color of great joy. There is an ancient Cambodian fable that states that couples who are fated to be together are joined by an invisible red cord. As time goes by, and the two get older, the invisible red cord shrinks in length until the two are standing face to face. The
wedding ceremony officiant takes a red cord and ties a knot it the middle, making a wish for the couple's married happiness out loud. The cord is passed to the left to others where they are asked to tie a knot and make a silent wish for the couple. When the last one has tied a knot, the cord is draped over the bride's neck, thus the couple has a tangible reminder of the loving wishes made for them by everyone who attended, and blessed, their wedding.
4. Blessing of the Seven Spices
This unique
wedding ceremony tradition uses spices to demonstrate the qualities that make for a healthy and well-balanced marriage, getting its roots from the Middle East.Seven small bowls are placed before the bride and groom, each containing a spice, where the couples can scoop a bit of each into a small pouch. Each spice is representative of a blessing:
Rosemary = prosperity
Brown sugar = a sweet life
Garlic = to keep you safe
Savory = to balance your blended life
Nutmeg = for romance
Paprika = passion
The Bay Leaf = as an extra “spark” of flavor
5. Blending of the Waters
The Blending of the Waters during the
wedding ceremony has its roots in Buddhism and is inspired by Siddhartha who became the Buddha. The bride and groom each bring a small jar of water from a place that has had great meaning to that person as an individual, brought great joy, and symbolizes each as an individual growing up to become the unique soul he/she is today.
Reverend Dr. Susan Kennedy is an ordained interfaith minster. She has developed these and several other wedding traditions over the years, based on a broad knowledge of worldwide traditions. She and her husband Paul have married almost 34 years.