“If none of these Unity Ceremony options create inspirations, think about the things you're passionate about or what you love to do as a couple and have your officiant create a custom ceremony that resonates with both of you” - Kristi Brooks

Introduction:

When you think of the “Unity Ceremony”, what comes to mind first?

If you’re like most couples, you’re probably thinking of the Unity Candle or Sand Blending. I think that’s because many engaged couples think those are their only choices.

The beautiful thing about the modern Unity Ceremony is couples are no longer limited to those options which means they can feel free to be as creative as they want to be!

If you’re considering a unity ritual for your wedding and want something fresh, modern and exciting, today’s post, Creative Unity Ceremonies That Haven’t Been Done to Death was written just for you!

WHAT IS A UNITY CEREMONY?

So, what exactly is a Unity Ceremony? It’s an optional element within the wedding ceremony that demonstrates how 2 hearts become one in marriage.

Image courtesy Aly Den Besten Photography

The following are a few Unities that are trending this season!

1. Wine Box With Love Letters

The Wine Box with Love Letters, aka the Time Capsule is at the very top of the list for many couples.

For this unity, you’ll need a wine box that can hold a bottle of wine and your choice wedding vows or sealed, unread love letters you’ve written one another.

Couples that aren’t big wine fans can opt for their favorite beverage, and those that don't drink can choose a few mementos of their adventures together. (Think plane or movie tickets, photos, a piece of jewelry; or any small token you find meaningful.)

The Time Capsule is displayed in an area of the couple’s home where it will be easily seen. During the ceremony, the couple puts everything inside the box and lock it up to open on an upcoming wedding anniversary so they can remember why they chose to spend the rest of their lives together.

2. Blendings

A Blending Unity involves anything that can be blended together and symbolizes what has been joined together can never be separated. You’ve probably seen this demonstrated through the typical Sand Ceremony, but you can really make it your own by blending anything that represents who you are as a couple.

I’ve performed blending ceremonies with wine, beer, candy, beads, coffee, even the dry ingredients needed to bake a cake!

What You Need For This Ceremony

If you choose to blend sand, choose a different color to represent each of your separate lives and a container to hold your combined sand.

If you are blending your family and choose the sand ceremony, you’ll need a container for every member of the family.

Tip: It’s important to make sure the mouth of your containers are large enough to allow the sand to flow freely. Containers with smaller size mouths will slow down the flow and cause the sand to spill.

If you choose to blend wine, you’ll need a bottle of red and white wine; white for sweet and red for dry to represent your 2 separate and very different lives.

If you’re into beer or whiskey, choose 2 very different types that together taste like heaven. No matter which type of drink you choose, this ceremony demonstrates how 2 very different people when joined together creates a balance that is neither bitter or sweet, it’s just right!

Tip: Small bottles of your drink of choice work best, but small carafes work well too! You’ll also need 2 glasses fitting for your beverage and a container large enough to hold your new blend.

During the ceremony, you’ll blend the 2 together to symbolize your lives joined as one in marriage, then (the best part) you’ll pour it all into each glass; sharing a sip at the altar.

3. Sculptures

If you consider yourself artsy or visually creative, a Sculpture Unity might be perfect for you!

Here are a couple of my favorites couples have used over the years.

Hand Casting

A couple of days before your ceremony, you’ll make a cast of your holding hands. I can’t think of a better way to show the world you’re united!

This sculpture sits on a unity table at the altar where the Officiant or couple unveils it for guests to see. The Officiant then shares a reading of the couples choice fitting for this special unity. I’ve used The Blessing of The Hands by Rev. Daniel L. Harris.

What You Need For This Ceremony

You’ll need a hand casting kit and a decorative scarf to conceal it during the ceremony. Tip: Because of the time it takes and the mess it makes to create, your sculpture must be made ahead of time.

Unity Glass

The Unity Glass is another great sculpture option that is breathtaking to look at!

To perform this ceremony, you’ll use 2 or more colors of glass crystals and combine them in a larger container.

After the ceremony, you’ll ship the container out to have it made into a sculpture, vase, ornament or pendant. Whichever you choose, you’ll look at this final piece for years to come to remember your wedding day.

What You Need For This Ceremony

You’ll need to purchase a sculpture package from a glass studio such as Unity in Glass which will include everything you need for your Unity Glass Ceremony.

4. Family Unities

Sometimes a wedding isn’t just about 2 lives becoming one, it’s also about creating a new family. You’ll love incorporating one of these in your big day!

CANDY UNITY

One of my all time favorite family unity ceremonies is the Candy Blending!

In this unique twist to the sand ceremony, each member of the family has a jar with their favorite candy inside.

During the ceremony they each take turns pouring their candy into a large candy jar to represent how each family member brings their own unique flavor to the mix.

What You Need For This Ceremony

You’ll need a small jar to hold each member’s choice candy along with a large candy jar to hold it all. Having everyone’s names etched on each jar adds a beautiful touch!

Tip: Hard or individually wrapped candy works best for this unity. Chocolate candy individually wrapped or not can be a complete nightmare in hot or humid temperatures.

Canvas Painting

I’ve always loved the symbolism that goes along with the Canvas Painting Unity.

It’s most often done with couples, but I prefer to do it with blended families. Why? It’s authentic, because the painting it creates is more colorful and complex, just as life is in a blended family.

During this ceremony, each member of the family pours their favorite color onto completely different areas the canvas to show their individuality in the family.

Next, each family member pours more paint on the canvas, but this time, they allow their colors to blend with one another to remind them how beautiful they are together.

They hang their canvas in an area of their home for all to see and remember their unity as a family.

What You Need For This Ceremony

You’ll need a blank canvas sized large enough to fit the size of your family. (The more colors, the bigger the canvas.) You’ll need an easel for the canvas to sit, a bottle of acrylic paint for each member of the family and a tarp to catch any dripping paint.

5. Faith Based Unities

A faith-based unity ceremony not only represents unity between the couple getting married, it also symbolizes unity with God; the foundation in which their marriage is built.

Although Faith can be incorporated in any of the above mentioned ceremonies, the following have been created especially for couples of faith.

The Cord of 3 Strands

During the Cord of 3 Strands Unity (also known as God’s Knot), the couple braids 3 strands of rope with the outer ropes representing the couple’s lives and the middle rope representing God as the center of their marriage.

What You Need For This Ceremony

If you’re not crafty like me and want something ready-made, you can find a Cord of 3 Strands Board that also make for a beautiful wall hanging right on Amazon.

If you’re short on ceremony space for this Unity or prefer something a bit simpler, you can opt for 3 cords attached to a ring.

Unity Cross Sculpture

The Unity Cross is a pre-made sculpture couples assemble during the ceremony and later display in their home. The ceremony begins with the Groom placing an outer Cross into a wooden base to symbolize his role as the bold, strong defender of the family. Next the Bride places a smaller cross inside the outer cross to represent the caring, supporting role she plays in marriage. Then, together, the couple places 3 pegs to symbolize the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit who firmly holds the couple and their marriage together.

What You Need For This Ceremony

You’ll need to purchase a Unity Cross Sculpture Kit to perform the Unity Cross Ceremony.

If none of these Unity Ceremony options inspire you, think about the things you're passionate about or what you love to do as a couple, then ask your Officiant to write a Custom Unity that resonates with you both.

Are you engaged and looking for an Officiant that you can connect with? Are you interested in a fun, engaging ceremony experience you’ll never forget? You’ve found her, because those are the only ceremonies I know how to write!

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