THE SAND CEREMONY adds more interest to the ceremony, is easy to include children if desired, and provides a lasting sand sculpture as a keepsake. This ceremony is usually done after the exchange of vows and legal documents can be signed at the same time.
Different colors of sand are poured from cups into a container at different intervals to create a sand sculpture that can last a lifetime. This ceremony is chosen over the Unity ceremony often as it is better for outdoor situations and the sand will retain it's freshness, while candles can melt and yellow over time. Children can easily participate in this ceremony by adding additional colors of sand for each child.
 

The UNITY HEART is a relatively new ceremony which is a mix of the candle and hand ceremonies creating a work of art to remember your wedding and vows for your lifetime. The heart comes in four pieces and are put together during the ceremony representing the qualities the husband and wife bring into the marriage.

 

The traditional UNITY CEREMONY is great for indoor weddings. Rev. Dan usually does it right after the vows and before the ring exchange.  [If windy or wet, consider the Sand or Heart Ceremony above.]

When Mothers of the Bride and Groom are escorted in, they each light individual candles for the couple before being seated. Near the end of the ceremony, the couple lights the central candle from the smaller candles representing two joined together in marriage. This is an old and short ceremony which can include one or two children if desired.

JUMPING THE BROOM is a very old tradition that originated in Southern Africa. It is done at the end of the wedding after the pronouncement as husband and wife.
Broom sizes vary. Most choose to purchase their own broom and decorate it themselves. Be sure it either coordinates with your wedding colors, or if you plan to hold on to it as a keepsake, the colors you will decorate with in your home. Using your own broom can also be a great bonding activity for the brides-maids, perhaps the night, or week before the wedding. Feel free to use bows, flowers (artificial or real), or other trinkets to make it unique. It should be decorative, but something pleasing enough to keep in your home.
Minister calls attendants and family to form a semi-circle around the couple. He then moves the broom in a circle while he tells of the origin of the broom ceremony. The Minister waves the broom over the Bride and Groom's heads as an additional blessing and then place the broom on the floor. Bride and groom hold crossed hands and everyone is asked to count 1, 2, 3, Jump, and they cross the boundary into married life. They are then introduced as Mr. and Mrs.

The FAMILY CEREMONY is done after the exchange of rings as a way of including children. Often marriage is viewed as the union of two individuals. In reality, marriage is much broader. We recognize the merging of families and the additional love and responsibility that family and friends bring to therelationship. The Children are called by name to come forward. The couple says a few words and perhaps vows and presents them with a gift – usually a special Family Medallion, or perhaps special charms or rings.

BUTTERFLY RELEASE:  
Outdoor temperature must be at least 70 degrees.

According to an American Indian Legend: If anyone desires a wish to come true they must capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly can not reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all. In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit grants the wish. So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted.

For a general release: We have gathered to grant this couple all our best wishes and are about to set these butterflies free in trust that all these wishes will be granted.

For the couple release: Bride and Groom will whisper their secret wish to the butterflies and release them to the heavens.

Our recommended butterfly company is: Butterfly Release Company.