While planning your elopement ceremony are you looking for unity ceremony ideas that you can customize to you and your partner? Well you are in the right place! I put together a list of 11 unity ceremonies you can customize to fit you and your partners relationship!

What is a Unity Ceremony?

Let’s start with the basics, what is a unity ceremony? A unity ceremony is a symbolic ritual that represents the joining together of two individuals in marriage. It typically involves the couple performing a physical act or exchanging an item that represents their unity and commitment to each other. This unity ceremony can be as unique as you are as a couple and should represent your relationship in some form. Exchanging of vows and rings are the two traditional unity ceremonies you see in the states but what are some others that can add more personality to your elopement? We will get more into that below!

When should you preform your special unity ceremony?

Special unity ceremonies are typically help after the reading of the vows and before the exchanging of the rings. Of course, this is your day and you can choose to preform these ceremonies in any order you wish and of course during any part of the day you wish as well. These special unity ceremonies do not have to be done during your actual ceremonies but can be sprinkled throughout your day during your various activities.

10 Modern Unity Ceremonies

1. Unity Candle Ceremony

A unity candle ceremony is on where the couples lights a candle together. It starts with both partners holding individual candles. The lighting of the individual candles can be even further symbolized by a family member, step children, or even your officiant lighting the individual candles. Once both candles are lit, the coupe will light a single candle together.

2. Knot Tying Ceremony

Tying the knot while tying the knot is a fun unity ceremony you can do during your wedding. Wither its a knot at the end of a braid to a singular knot in the middle of the rope you later hand on a canvas, this unity ceremony symbolized the bond you and your partner are creating. You can use a simple knot, or if you are into the outdoors, pick a specific knot you use commonly such as the fisherman’s knot or even a square knot.

3. Sand Pouring Ceremony

A sand pouring ceremony is one of the most common unity ceremonies but its representation is so special. This unity ceremony can be done as a family when blending families together. It is safe for kids of all age, and fun for them too. Each member of the family will have their own color to represent themselves. At the same time, you will pour the sand into a glass. The blending of the sand symbolizes you becoming one. Personalize this unity by choosing your favorite color of sand, or sand from a meaningful location such as the place you met and the place you are getting married.

4. Paint Blending Ceremony

Similar to the sand pouring ceremony, a paint blending ceremony is a great way to represent becoming one. This a fun activity to include kids and other family members. Each person can be represented by a different color. As each person applies their color to a canvas it symbolizes you become one beautiful family.

5. Hand Fasting Ceremony

Hand fasting is a traditional ceremony brought down from the 19th century. This unity is typically done before your vows. As ones hands are bound together by rope or ribbon. If you decide, you can also choose specific colors to bring more meaning to your hand fasting ceremony. Typically couples choose up to 3 different colors to represent them as a couple and what they want to bring into their new life.

• Red: passion, strength, lust, fertility
• Orange: encouragement, attraction, kindness, plenty
• Yellow: charm, confidence, joy, balance
• Green: finances, fertility, charity, prosperity, health
• Blue: tranquility, patience, devotion, sincerity
• Purple: Power, piety, sanctity, sentimentality
• Black: strength, wisdom, vision, success
• White: purity, concentration, meditation, peace
• Gray: neutrality, canceling, balance
• Pink: unity, honor, truth, romance, happiness
• Brown: earth, grounding, talent, telepathy, home
• Silver: treasure, values, creativity, inspiration
• Gold: energy, wealth, intelligence, longevity

6. Hand Washing Ceremony

A handing washing ceremony is one where the couple washed their hands during the ceremony. This ceremony can symbolize power, grace, purity and transformation. A hand washing ceremony is thought to wash away the past and bring forward a fresh start. Personalizing this ceremony can be as simple as using special water, such as moon water or river water, or adding scented oils to the water that bring special properties.

7. Tree Planting

If you are plant parents this is the unity ceremony for you! The purpose of a tree planting (or a less messy idea is a tree watering ceremony) if to remind you and your spouse to nurture on another throughout your marriage. As you nurture a plant it begins to grow, just like your marriage.8.Ring Warming Ceremony

Ring warming is a great way to involve your guests into your ceremony. As the rings get passed around from guest to guest, they are invited to warm the rings and set good intentions to the marriage before the couple exchanges rings in the ceremony.

8. Ring Warming Ceremony

Ring warming is a great way to involve your guests into your ceremony. As the rings get passed around from guest to guest, they are invited to warm the rings and set good intentions to the marriage before the couple exchanges rings in the ceremony.

9. Anniversary Capsule

An anniversary capsule unity ceremony can be as inclusive with your guests as you wish and it can be filled with anything. A few ways to ideas to include in your capsule are; letters from all of your guests as they arrive at your ceremony, love letters to each other, a bottle of wine or liquor, something special from your wedding day you want to relive, etc. The list can go on. Before exchanging your rings take a moment to close your anniversary capsule only to be opened on your one, five or even ten year wedding anniversary.

10. Wine Pouring Ceremony

Good wine takes years of nurturing to produce a good final product, just like marriage. As you and your partner pour from two different wine glasses into one, it symbolizes the nourishment and hard work a marriage takes. Once you have poured your favorite wine into the bigger glass together, take a sip and cheers the future you have ahead of you.

11. Shot Unity

Similar to a wine pouring ceremony, a shot unity is a great way to cheers to your new future together as newly weds. Using your favorite liquor or a liquor well known in the location you are getting married.

Example Timeline w/ Unity Ceremony

8am: Couples Coffee and Breakfast at Airbnb

9am: Getting Ready and Writing Personal Vows

10:30am: Reading Vows to each other on the River

11am: Kayak down the river to secluded spot

11:30pm: Hand washing ceremony along the river bank

12pm: Enjoy some fun in the water and a picnic lunch

2pm: Head back to the Airbnb

4pm: Meet friends and family for traditional vows and exchanging of rings

5pm: Dinner with family and friends to celebrate

When planning your elopement day and choosing your how you want to celebrate your ceremony keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to get married! Unity ceremonies are meant to capture who you and your partner are as a couple. If you are ready to start planning your elopement and are ready to take that next step feel free to reach out! It would be an honor to help you and your partner plan your perfect elopement day!