Sample Sand and Butterfly Release Ceremony
We are joyfully gathered here today before God (optional or replace) to witness and celebrate the joining of two lives in marriage. [NAME] and [NAME] have asked us to be here and rejoice with them on this very special day. The essence of this important commitment is the taking of another person in his or her entirety as lover, companion and friend. It is therefore a decision which is not entered into lightly, but rather undertaken with great consideration and respect.
Thus, we ask that the promise and hopes of this union be realized. Grant these two the patience to listen, the capacity to understand, the compassion to give comfort, and the joy to laugh, and to be. Let it offer illumination and growth. Let it bask in the joy of giving and in the excitement of shared discoveries.
A loving relationship is wanting to celebrate, communicate, and know another's heart and soul. Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. It is never being too old or too busy to hold hands or say "I love you". It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end, and you must stand together facing the world. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is finding room for the things of the spirit, while searching together for the good and the beautiful. Beyond the love and respect, there must be a strong sense of commitment and loyalty that bonds you. Above all true friendship and a willingness to communicate must prevail.
[NAME] and [NAME] are now going to perform the sand ceremony, which is a ritual designed to symbolize the joining of two lives and the ongoing existence of each ones individuality. They each chose a color of sand that is meaningful to them that is representative of their own spirit. Concurrently, they will each pour their sand into the larger vase, which represents the new unity they create here today.
Example:
[NAME] has chosen the color royal blue, the color of the ocean, which represents its ageless and eternal strength, reflective of his love for [NAME]. [NAME]has chosen emerald green, which represents the energy of life as well as calmness of spirit also a direct reflection of her/his love for you. (sand colors based on your preference) The glass vase itself is a symbol of importance. Its clarity represents the purity of their love that holds the sands together, yet its fragility reminds us of the care that must be maintained to keep the love from breaking.
Pouring of Sands:
You can see as they pour their sand that it blends together. Sometimes when you look at it the green is the dominant color and that is when [NAME] is in need of support from [NAME]. Sometimes when you look at it the blue will be the dominant color and that is when [NAME] is looking to [NAME] for support. But you will notice that each color still maintains its own identity. And this is how it should be even in your marriage. When you look at this vase and see the many configurations you can also see the merging of the two colors. But each grain of sand maintains its own space - never losing itself, but blending together to support the structure of the combination, for the good of all.
Who stands with in support and blessing of this marriage?
Person Designated: I do or Her Mother and I do, Father and I do, Child(ren) and I do.
[NAME] and [NAME] will now exchange the VOWS which will bind them together.
To SOUL MATE
[NAME], do you take [NAME] to be your (wife, husband, life partner, soul mate or your preference)? Do you promise to stand beside her/him from this day forward, to love, honor, and support her/him in good times and bad, to trust and cherish her/him? Do you pledge yourself now to be ever faithful to her/him with your body, mind, and heart?
Soul Mate : I will.
Repeat for Soul Mate
Ring Exchange - click here for other wording
We now move on to the outward symbol of [NAME] and [NAME]'s union, which is the exchanging of rings with their vows. The wedding ring is an unbroken circle, an age-old representation for unending and everlasting love. These circles of precious metal are without beginning and end, such as eternity. So should be your love for one another. Let their presence on your hands be a constant reminder of your inner commitment. May God bless these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love, trust and faithfulness.
May we please have the rings.
SOUL MATE: [NAME] with this ring, I wed you for today, tomorrow and for all the tomorrows to come. I offer it to you with my heart and soul for you to wear as a sign to the entire world that you have chosen me to be your husband/wife/soul mate your preference. Do you accept?
SOUL MATE: I do.
Repeat for Soul Mate
(Exchange of Rings)
Love is the most mysterious of all forces and its ways are strange and beautiful to behold, like the butterfly. The butterfly serves to remind us of how beautiful, delicate and fragile life can be, so that we should remember to appreciate and be grateful for each moment. As you two join today in marriage, your commitment to love releases into the world a new wonder, a new beauty, a new perfection.
[NAME] and [NAME] as we celebrate the beginning of your marriage today take to heart these words: I now pronounce you (husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife, soul mate and soul mate, or your preference).
You may kiss each other.
(Butterfly Release)
From this day on, your lives will fuse in a new way and your memories will be not of individuality, but of unity. May the seeds of your love, now planted in marriage, continue to grow. May your life together be as a pebble dropped in a pond; an example of love and unity spread outward to your family, your friends and to the wider circle of the world. May your unity last through all your life together, through the trials and triumphs that lie ahead, so that at the end you may feel just as you do now happy to be in love and married.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I now wish to introduce to you for the first time as husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife, soul mate and soul mate: [NAME] and [NAME] [LAST NAME].
Thus, we ask that the promise and hopes of this union be realized. Grant these two the patience to listen, the capacity to understand, the compassion to give comfort, and the joy to laugh, and to be. Let it offer illumination and growth. Let it bask in the joy of giving and in the excitement of shared discoveries.
A loving relationship is wanting to celebrate, communicate, and know another's heart and soul. Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. It is never being too old or too busy to hold hands or say "I love you". It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end, and you must stand together facing the world. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is finding room for the things of the spirit, while searching together for the good and the beautiful. Beyond the love and respect, there must be a strong sense of commitment and loyalty that bonds you. Above all true friendship and a willingness to communicate must prevail.
[NAME] and [NAME] are now going to perform the sand ceremony, which is a ritual designed to symbolize the joining of two lives and the ongoing existence of each ones individuality. They each chose a color of sand that is meaningful to them that is representative of their own spirit. Concurrently, they will each pour their sand into the larger vase, which represents the new unity they create here today.
Example:
[NAME] has chosen the color royal blue, the color of the ocean, which represents its ageless and eternal strength, reflective of his love for [NAME]. [NAME]has chosen emerald green, which represents the energy of life as well as calmness of spirit also a direct reflection of her/his love for you. (sand colors based on your preference) The glass vase itself is a symbol of importance. Its clarity represents the purity of their love that holds the sands together, yet its fragility reminds us of the care that must be maintained to keep the love from breaking.
Pouring of Sands:
You can see as they pour their sand that it blends together. Sometimes when you look at it the green is the dominant color and that is when [NAME] is in need of support from [NAME]. Sometimes when you look at it the blue will be the dominant color and that is when [NAME] is looking to [NAME] for support. But you will notice that each color still maintains its own identity. And this is how it should be even in your marriage. When you look at this vase and see the many configurations you can also see the merging of the two colors. But each grain of sand maintains its own space - never losing itself, but blending together to support the structure of the combination, for the good of all.
Who stands with in support and blessing of this marriage?
Person Designated: I do or Her Mother and I do, Father and I do, Child(ren) and I do.
[NAME] and [NAME] will now exchange the VOWS which will bind them together.
To SOUL MATE
[NAME], do you take [NAME] to be your (wife, husband, life partner, soul mate or your preference)? Do you promise to stand beside her/him from this day forward, to love, honor, and support her/him in good times and bad, to trust and cherish her/him? Do you pledge yourself now to be ever faithful to her/him with your body, mind, and heart?
Soul Mate : I will.
Repeat for Soul Mate
Ring Exchange - click here for other wording
We now move on to the outward symbol of [NAME] and [NAME]'s union, which is the exchanging of rings with their vows. The wedding ring is an unbroken circle, an age-old representation for unending and everlasting love. These circles of precious metal are without beginning and end, such as eternity. So should be your love for one another. Let their presence on your hands be a constant reminder of your inner commitment. May God bless these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love, trust and faithfulness.
May we please have the rings.
SOUL MATE: [NAME] with this ring, I wed you for today, tomorrow and for all the tomorrows to come. I offer it to you with my heart and soul for you to wear as a sign to the entire world that you have chosen me to be your husband/wife/soul mate your preference. Do you accept?
SOUL MATE: I do.
Repeat for Soul Mate
(Exchange of Rings)
Love is the most mysterious of all forces and its ways are strange and beautiful to behold, like the butterfly. The butterfly serves to remind us of how beautiful, delicate and fragile life can be, so that we should remember to appreciate and be grateful for each moment. As you two join today in marriage, your commitment to love releases into the world a new wonder, a new beauty, a new perfection.
[NAME] and [NAME] as we celebrate the beginning of your marriage today take to heart these words: I now pronounce you (husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife, soul mate and soul mate, or your preference).
You may kiss each other.
(Butterfly Release)
From this day on, your lives will fuse in a new way and your memories will be not of individuality, but of unity. May the seeds of your love, now planted in marriage, continue to grow. May your life together be as a pebble dropped in a pond; an example of love and unity spread outward to your family, your friends and to the wider circle of the world. May your unity last through all your life together, through the trials and triumphs that lie ahead, so that at the end you may feel just as you do now happy to be in love and married.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I now wish to introduce to you for the first time as husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife, soul mate and soul mate: [NAME] and [NAME] [LAST NAME].
Copyright © 2012
Renee Ukena - Edwardsville, IL
Contact me at [email protected] to discuss your ceremony and start your journey together
Renee Ukena - Edwardsville, IL
Contact me at [email protected] to discuss your ceremony and start your journey together