Here are several optional JOINING CEREMONIES you may wish to include.

UNITY CANDLE LIGHTING (not recommended for outdoor ceremonies)

Materials needed: Small table behind Officiant, Unity Candle, 2 smaller individual candles.

It is time now for the lighting of the Unity Candle. (The bride and groom step forward, each take their lit candle, together light the center candle, then extinguish their own.) The lighting of the Unity Candle symbolizes the joining together of these two hearts into one. From this moment on, the light of your love burns jointly as your inner candles continue to burn separately. May the path of life become brighter as the flame of your love grows stronger.

GLASS BREAKING

Materials needed: Lightbulb in a cloth bag.

Shortly, after the pronouncement, we will witness the traditional breaking of the glass. The breaking of the
glass at the end of a wedding ceremony serves to remind of two very important aspects of a marriage.
The bride and groom - and everyone - should consider these marriage vows as an IRREVOCABLE ACT - just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable. But the breaking of the glass also is a
warning of the FRAILTY of a marriage. That sometimes a single thoughtless act, breech of trust, or infidelity
can damage a marriage in ways that are very difficult to undo - just as it would be so difficult to undo the
breaking of this glass. John and Jane, knowing that this marriage is permanent, you should strive to show
each other the love and respect befitting your spouse and love of your life.

(After pronouncement, couple kisses and groom steps on glass with his right foot.)

SAND CEREMONY (SHORT)

Materials needed: Small table behind Officiant, Large container, 2 smaller containers filled with sand.

John and Jane, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings, and this covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives. Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand. One, representing you, John, and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, Jane, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. (You may now combine your two containers of sand into one.)

As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated, so will your marriage be.

SAND CEREMONY (LONG)

Materials needed: Small table behind Officiant, Large container, 2 smaller containers filled with sand.

John and Jane, may your love always be as constant as the never ending waves. Just as there will never be a morning without the ocean's flow, there will never be a day without your love for each other. You have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings. You have committed here today to share the rest of your lives with each other. This beautiful union is symbolized by the combining of these two individual containers of sand. The first represents you John, and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will be. The other represents you Jane, and all that you were, all that you are and all that you will be.

Each one holds its own unique beauty, strength and character. They can stand on their own and be whole, without need of anything else. However when these two are blended together they create an entirely new and extraordinarily more intricate entity. Each grain of sand brings to the mixture a lasting beauty that forever enriches the new combination. Please pour the sand into the common container to symbolize the union of your two lives. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be a molding of two individual personalities. May you be bound together forever, forming one heart and one love. The life that each of you experience now, individually, will hereafter be inseparably united, for the two shall become one.

ROSE CEREMONY

Materials needed: 2 Roses (held by an attendant)

Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other. But there is another gift you will give to each other today - a single rose. The rose is considered a symbol of love and giving one means "I love you." So please give this gift to each other to represent the deep love you feel for each other at this moment, the love which will serve as the foundation of your marriage.

In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding a rose - and now you are holding a rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today you both are giving and receiving one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.

HANDS CEREMONY (SHORT)

As an expression that your hearts are joined together in love - will you please face each other and hold hands, so you may feel the gift that you are to one another.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be
reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a
touch.

HANDS CEREMONY (LONG)

John, please hold Jane's hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life. They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times and comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.

These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, when she tells you that together you have created a new life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.

These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

Jane, please face John and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you. These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

May these hands always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other for all of their days.