Alternative to unity candle/sand

bluegrassbride11

I am getting married this fall, outside..in a field, barn reception to follow. Wedding style is rustic and vintage.
I'm really not into the unity candle or the idea of the sand in the jar. Any other creative ideas?

heathergene82

you can do a wine ceremony or my future sister in law had a rope ceremony both unique and meaningful. hope i helped

jagore08

Just skip it all together.

CassieeK

I'm not really interested in any of those kinds of things, either, so I think we're skipping that.  I'm content with the wedding ceremony being the unity ceremony.

lindenheart

Something FI and I are considering as an alternative to the candle ceremony is an old Ducth tradition where each set of parents donates a bottle of wine and you and FI write a love letter to each other. Instead of doing the candle or sand ceremony, the wine and letters are placed into a box and the box is nailed shut. You can either say we are opening this on such and such anniversary or if either of you wants to throw in the towel, you open the box, drink the wine, read the letters and then talk. Just an idea!

trix1223

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_alternative-unity-candlesand?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:517d430f-78ed-47ce-bb33-8b7283580070Post:7a4c3145-3a0b-4440-9f2d-9edcf4cdc683">Re: Alternative to unity candle/sand</a>:
[QUOTE]Something FI and I are considering as an alternative to the candle ceremony is an old Ducth tradition where each set of parents donates a bottle of wine and you and FI write a love letter to each other. Instead of doing the candle or sand ceremony, the wine and letters are placed into a box and the box is nailed shut. You can either say we are opening this on such and such anniversary or if either of you wants to throw in the towel, you open the box, drink the wine, read the letters and then talk. Just an idea!
Posted by lindenheart[/QUOTE]

I'm okay with sharing the wine and letters on an anniversary.  But I'm not crazy about saying that "if/when we reach the point of divorce, we'll open the box".  It seems counterproductive to what a wedding ceremony is all about.

OP:  If nothing really appeals to you, just skip it.  Our DD and SIL didn't have a "unity ceremony" as they felt that their whole wedding is, by definition, a unity ceremony.  They had a lovely wedding.

Good Luck.

iloveu4ever

plant a tree

csm6144

We did the wooden box ceremony, which is described earlier. But our officient is providing it all for us. He even makes the boxes in his garage... If you want more information on the ceremony here is a website:  http://www.woodenboxceremony.com/

Hope that helps!

salsamcg

we are doing a handfasting since we don't care for the sand or candle ideas either

butterflyroy78

We are planting a tree.

KALAGHANDDAN

I'm Irish and my FI is Spanish and instead of the candle or sand ceremonies we are having our Mom's read The Irish Wedding Blessing together in English and Spanish. MOB will read a line in English and then MOG will repeat it in Spanish. I figured its a nice way to bring the cultures together and its also another way to incorporate our Moms into the day more.

stephbonthego

Mr. D and I will have a Ring Warming at our ceremony.

Sani1983

My favorite idea is the unity volcano.
“When you fall in love, it erupts like a volcano and then it subsides. And when it subsides you have to work out whether your roots have become so intertwined that it is inconceivable that you could separate. Love is like that. Love is what is left when being in love has burned away.”  (There are several variations... some can be quite suggestive though)
While poem is read, Bride pours baking soda and groom pours vinegar into a vessel of your choice. I loved the idea!

bluegrassbride11

Thanks for all the great ideas!  We don't drink wine, so that's out. Cool idea, though!

staceylee099

Kelsie,

I am 3 days away and I am trying to figure out what to do.  I was told that especially with an outdoor wedding, if the wind is blowing the Unity Candle is not a very good option.  My wedding is outdoors in Harrodsburg, Ky and I think I am going with the sand.  Besides I am afraid I will knock the candle over and really make things interesting.  We are getting married at a Bed and Breakfast that looks like a Southern Plantation.  But he proposed to me on the beach so that is how I am rationalizing the sand.  Our minister advised against the candle for outdoor weddings due to unpredictable winds.  Good luck.

Stacey

mancila60

I completely agree with you I wanted something different. I found one I liked it's called a Handfasting ceremony. I've never seen or heard of it but I love it. Because of the type of wedding you are having and the location I think it would be perfect for you. I hope this helps!