I'm trying to find something different. Any ideas ?

Are you having your wedding outside? Inside? And what exactly is a Sand Ceremony?

In recent years, new ways of symbolizing the unity of two people have sprung up in place of the unity candle. One is using different colored sand instead of a flame to symbolize the union. This can be placed in an ornate bottle, and is something that can be displayed in the home without a second thought. It larger came out as an alternative for outdoor weddings due the the candles being blown out by the wind.

Here's another great idea. There isn't a great name for it, so we'll just call it the Love Lock Box Ceremony.

It involves the couple writing letters to each other describing their love, passion, and all the things that make them special or bring joy to each others life. They are not allowed to read one another's. These are sealed up in an envelope and brought to the ceremony, along with a bottle of wine and a box. When the officiant gets to where the normal unity candle lighting would be, instead he elaborates on the the thought behind the letters and then places them into the box, along with a bottle of wine. The bride and groom then help seal the box.

The point here (which the officiant can elaborate on more during the ceremony) is for the box to remain sealed in case of such a time where the marriage is facing a potential breaking point, or for a 25th wedding anniversary, that the couple will open the case...crack open the bottle of wine...and read each others letters...remembering all the things that helped shape the life they've created together.

Splurge on a nice bottle of wine, and be creative on the box....it could be wood and could be nailed shut as part of the the ceremony...could use a set-your-own-combination padlock with your wedding year as the combination.

There are tons of ways to do it. Look for something that fits your style.

Unity Candle Alternatives

__________________

I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance,
A church filled with family and friends.
I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for,
He said one that would make me his wife.
~Author Unknown

I really like the unity candle ceremony and already bought the stuff to do it. But I, too, wanted something unique incorporated. I read about a 'salt ceremony', which is highly similar to the sand ceremony and thought it sounded great (plus, it's a winter wedding, so it would fit better). How can I incorporate both, or should I just forget the salt thing?

I really like that idea. Thank you

We're doing a rock ceremony. Our wedding is outside, so a candle was out. And the sand ceremony seems to be "over-done" (I like different....). As everyone gets to the ceremony, someone hands them a small, polished rock.


ROCK CEREMONY

Each guest has been given a small polished stone upon arriving.

Before you met, your lives were on different paths with different destinations. But love has brought you together and joined these separate paths into one. Each one of your friends and family here today have been given a small polished stone that represents their unique individuality and their presence at your wedding today. You also each have a stone of your own that symbolizes your previous separate lives, separate sets of friends, separate families and the different life's journeys you once traveled.

I will now ask that everyone please take out the stone you have been
given and pause to make a wish or blessing for happiness and
good will for the couple for the future of their marriage.

Everyone pauses to make their wish.

Now, we will collect the stones and the couple will then
add their individual stones to the container as well.

The couple adds their stones to the container.

With the combining of these stones, you have now symbolically joined your once separate lives. As the stones have been combined with love into one container,
so now are your friends and family joined, through you, into one. And your once
solitary life's paths are also now one. All that was once separate is now shared,
and in this sharing you both will find new strength and joy as together
you forge a new life's path and destination.


I love the idea, and we can keep it in our living room, or bedroom, as a reminder.

I like all of the different ideas and variations. Most of the wedding I've been to have been very taditional and with a unity candle. I will definately have to research these more before our wedding. Thanks ladies!

Check out this site, there might be something you like.

Amariche Bridal Essentials
Amariche Bridal Essentials

I'm having a unity candle ceremony at my wedding. While my ceremony is outdoors, I'm still going to take the risk (hope it's not too windy!). If you're looking for customized wedding unity candles, try www.theweddingshoppe.ca.