Tea or Sake Ceremony (Chinese and Japanese Tradition) It is part of the wedding ceremony for the couple o present their parents with tea (in China) or sake (in Japan), to show respect and o represent the new family bond. In a traditional Chinese ea ceremony, the bride serves ea with sugar to the groom…
Tag Archive for wedding ceremony
Kola nuts (Nigerian Tradition)
by Reverend C.Knight
Another gift giving tradition, this one originates in Nigeria In Africa, kola nuts represent healing; giving them to each other (often after the vows) is a symbol of the couple’s commitment to work out their differences and support each other through hard times.
Jumping the Broom (African-American Tradition)
by Reverend C.Knight
An African tribal ritual had couples placing sticks on the ground to symbolize their home together. This may be the origin of the broom jumping tradition, which was popular among among African-American slaves (who could not have official wedding ceremonies); it may also symbolize the sweeping away of evil spirits. The couple holds the broom…
Various Interfaith and Nondenominational Vows
by Reverend C.Knight
Here are a number of variations on non-denominational, interfaith, and civil vows. These are a good start to build your ceremony around. 1. I promise, ________, before family and friends, to commit my love to you; to respect your individuality; to be with you through life’s changes; and to nurture and strengthen the love between…
Honey and Walnuts (Greece)
by Reverend C.Knight
In some of the Greek islands, the wedding ceremony ends with honey and walnuts offered to the bride and groom from silver spoons. Walnuts are chosen because they break into four parts, symbolizing the bride the groom, and their two families.
Handfasting Traditions
by Reverend C.Knight
Handfasting (Afrocenric) In some African tribes, the bride and groom have their wrists tied together with cloth or braided grass. To symbolize your own unity, have your officiant or a close friend tie your wrists together with a piece of kente cloth or a strand of cowrie shells (symbols of fertility and prosperity) while affirming…
Crowning Ceremony (Eastern Orthodox)
by Reverend C.Knight
The crowning is the centerpiece of an Eastern Orthodox wedding ceremony. Garland wreaths are often fashioned into ornate crowns as a symbol of glory and honor. Crowns can also be made of orange blossoms, myrtle leaves, or sometimes used to represent the royalty of marriage. The koumbaros presents the couple with two crowns joined by…
