What shall we include in your ceremony?
In all of my ceremonies, whether it be a wedding, renewal of vows, new life/baby naming or a funeral, you could choose to add some extra symbolic elements. Each of them beautiful and meaningful in their own way, some are more suited to certain ceremonies, others can add something special to all.
Symbolic elements can be added to all ceremonies with a supplemental fee. They come as standard in my Gold and Platinum Wedding or Renewal of Vows packages.
Take a look below and find out about all of your various options.
Symbolic elements can be added to all ceremonies with a supplemental fee. They come as standard in my Gold and Platinum Wedding or Renewal of Vows packages.
Take a look below and find out about all of your various options.
Unity Sand
Celebrate love and unity with a symbolic Sand Ceremony.
We start with grains of sand in different vessels representing each other's unique life. By pouring them into one singular vessel we blend them harmoniously to create something very special.
It’s not just an addition to your wedding or family celebration, it’s a powerful moment that symbolises joining hearts together. What once was separated is now intertwined, never to be brought apart.
This Symbolic Ceremony is also perfect for times that families blend together. Perhaps you are joining together in a marriage at a time when you already have your own children. This mini ceremony is a wonderful way for the children to join in, symbolising the unity of the whole family.
In Baby Naming or New Life Celemonies, the Unity Sand Ceremony can involve Biological Parents and Guide Parents. Anyone who will be part of the child’s life could be included.
As many of my guests visit Cyprus from overseas, I have been careful to choose the perfect container. I use a flat bottle with a secure screw top that fits easily into a suitcase. You can take the bottle home and proudly display it as a reminder of this loving commitment.
Embrace the moment that you blend your sands and lives together.
We start with grains of sand in different vessels representing each other's unique life. By pouring them into one singular vessel we blend them harmoniously to create something very special.
It’s not just an addition to your wedding or family celebration, it’s a powerful moment that symbolises joining hearts together. What once was separated is now intertwined, never to be brought apart.
This Symbolic Ceremony is also perfect for times that families blend together. Perhaps you are joining together in a marriage at a time when you already have your own children. This mini ceremony is a wonderful way for the children to join in, symbolising the unity of the whole family.
In Baby Naming or New Life Celemonies, the Unity Sand Ceremony can involve Biological Parents and Guide Parents. Anyone who will be part of the child’s life could be included.
As many of my guests visit Cyprus from overseas, I have been careful to choose the perfect container. I use a flat bottle with a secure screw top that fits easily into a suitcase. You can take the bottle home and proudly display it as a reminder of this loving commitment.
Embrace the moment that you blend your sands and lives together.
Warming the Rings
I believe this tradition started in Ireland, but is now enjoyed all over the world. Towards the start of the ceremony, the rings are passed around the wedding guests. Your friends and family “warm” the rings with prayers or positive intentions for the couple’s future.
This element can involve the whole wedding party, or just a select few. In my opinion, in order for the rings not to get lost, it is best to display them on a presentation cushion secured with a ribbon. If you have any responsible children in the wedding party that would love an important task, then this is the perfect way to involve them.
The Warming the Rings ceremony turns two pieces of metal into a loving gift from the friends and family, as the rings have been blessed with love and kind thoughts.
This is a great way to make the guests feel really included in your ceremony.
This element can involve the whole wedding party, or just a select few. In my opinion, in order for the rings not to get lost, it is best to display them on a presentation cushion secured with a ribbon. If you have any responsible children in the wedding party that would love an important task, then this is the perfect way to involve them.
The Warming the Rings ceremony turns two pieces of metal into a loving gift from the friends and family, as the rings have been blessed with love and kind thoughts.
This is a great way to make the guests feel really included in your ceremony.
Handfasting
Handfasting is an ancient Celtic ritual in which hands are tied together which symbolizes the binding of the two lives as one. If you have ever watched Outlander or Game of Thrones then you might be familiar with this Celtic tradition that’s roots can be traced back to 7000 B.C.
When two people wanted to be married, they would meet to have a cord or ribbon tied around their hands in the presence of a clergyman. This was basically the acknowledgment of the couple’s engagement, a declaration which made it clear to everyone that the young lady was not up for grabs. After approximately a year, the couple would return to the Clergyman and either declare that they were not best suited, or their wish to be married.
Throughout the centuries, all around the world, there have been similar acts of binding the hands of two people together in matrimony.
Nowadays, Handfasting can act as a very meaningful part of a Wedding or Vow Renewal ceremony. It is also suitable for Family ceremonies and can involve several more people where two different families come together. This ceremony has many possibilities.
The actual braids or ribbons are hand crafted in my studio at home. Materials and colours can be adapted and personalised to make it more meaningful to you. If you wish to bring your own, that is absolutely fine. You might want a particular ribbon of your own weaving into the braid that I make, in which case this can be sent to me via post.
At the end of the ceremony, after you have “Tied the Knot”, the ribbons and braids will be given to you to take home a treasure momentum.
When two people wanted to be married, they would meet to have a cord or ribbon tied around their hands in the presence of a clergyman. This was basically the acknowledgment of the couple’s engagement, a declaration which made it clear to everyone that the young lady was not up for grabs. After approximately a year, the couple would return to the Clergyman and either declare that they were not best suited, or their wish to be married.
Throughout the centuries, all around the world, there have been similar acts of binding the hands of two people together in matrimony.
Nowadays, Handfasting can act as a very meaningful part of a Wedding or Vow Renewal ceremony. It is also suitable for Family ceremonies and can involve several more people where two different families come together. This ceremony has many possibilities.
The actual braids or ribbons are hand crafted in my studio at home. Materials and colours can be adapted and personalised to make it more meaningful to you. If you wish to bring your own, that is absolutely fine. You might want a particular ribbon of your own weaving into the braid that I make, in which case this can be sent to me via post.
At the end of the ceremony, after you have “Tied the Knot”, the ribbons and braids will be given to you to take home a treasure momentum.
Jumping the broom
Some say jumping the broom began in Wales in the 18th Century when Roma people were not allowed to marry in the church. Instead, they jumped a broom to signify their union. Interestingly, to annul the marriage, they would jump over it again backwards.
Other people believe it originated in West Africa, where brooms were used as a way to ward off evil spirits. In the United States, within the African American community, brooms were used during slavery as a way for enslaved people to get married since they could not legally wed in the country. When slavery ended, many would continue with the tradition.
Nowadays the tradition is still celebrated by the people who want to keep it as part of their heritage. Not everyone agrees however. Some people believe that it should be confined to the history books as they don't like its ties to slavery. Ultimately, it's a personal choice.
I don’t get asked to perform this ceremony ofen. I’m just letting those people who want this ceremony know that I am familiar with it.
Other people believe it originated in West Africa, where brooms were used as a way to ward off evil spirits. In the United States, within the African American community, brooms were used during slavery as a way for enslaved people to get married since they could not legally wed in the country. When slavery ended, many would continue with the tradition.
Nowadays the tradition is still celebrated by the people who want to keep it as part of their heritage. Not everyone agrees however. Some people believe that it should be confined to the history books as they don't like its ties to slavery. Ultimately, it's a personal choice.
I don’t get asked to perform this ceremony ofen. I’m just letting those people who want this ceremony know that I am familiar with it.
The Quaich
This famously Scottish ceremony uses a traditional Scottish two handed cup. Popular with my Scottish couples, this ceremony can be enjoyed by any nationality. In ancient times, the Quaich would have been used by two families or Clans. In this game of trust, both hands were used to hold the quaich, so there was no free hand to reach for their sword!
The Quaich is often referred to as the loving cup, showing that you love and trust one and other to take the cup. Scotch Whisky is the obvious choice of what to put in the cup, but you may choose anything you desire. Perhaps our local Cypriot Comandaria sweet wine. You might each put in your favourite drink and mix them together symbolising two becoming one. Personally I like using whisky, particularly when couples don’t drink it all that often and their faces screw up when they take a big swig!
Do keep in mind that some liquids stain clothes. This is especially important for those who drink the Quaich dry and place it upon their head!
I have a Traditional Quaich cup from Scotland that you can use. I also have an equivalent from Cyprus in case you would like to mix Scottish and Cypriot elements. You might have your own family heirloom Quaich cup that you would like to bring, or maybe you can start a new tradition and pass the new Quaich cup down through the generations of your clan.
The Quaich is often referred to as the loving cup, showing that you love and trust one and other to take the cup. Scotch Whisky is the obvious choice of what to put in the cup, but you may choose anything you desire. Perhaps our local Cypriot Comandaria sweet wine. You might each put in your favourite drink and mix them together symbolising two becoming one. Personally I like using whisky, particularly when couples don’t drink it all that often and their faces screw up when they take a big swig!
Do keep in mind that some liquids stain clothes. This is especially important for those who drink the Quaich dry and place it upon their head!
I have a Traditional Quaich cup from Scotland that you can use. I also have an equivalent from Cyprus in case you would like to mix Scottish and Cypriot elements. You might have your own family heirloom Quaich cup that you would like to bring, or maybe you can start a new tradition and pass the new Quaich cup down through the generations of your clan.
The Singing celebrant
I am actually a very experienced singer and entertainer, having worked professionally since 1999. For a fun surprise element for the guests, I can burst into some entertaining love songs after the ceremony. Similar to the surprise Singing Waiters, nobody expects the Singing Celebrant.
At the end of the ceremony I break out into song. Something like "Love is in the Air" by John Paul Young. Then, after two more crowd pleasing songs I would usually lead the congregation towards the venue exit and off to towards the reception area.
This is more suited to certain couples with a certain style, or a certain group of guests. If you think that it would be suitable for your family and friends, then let me know.
At the end of the ceremony I break out into song. Something like "Love is in the Air" by John Paul Young. Then, after two more crowd pleasing songs I would usually lead the congregation towards the venue exit and off to towards the reception area.
This is more suited to certain couples with a certain style, or a certain group of guests. If you think that it would be suitable for your family and friends, then let me know.
