Whether your wedding embraces the darkly romantic, the mystical, or the unconventional, symbolic ceremonies can add profound meaning and visual drama to your day. Perfect for spiritual, secular, or simply aesthetic preferences, these rituals create memorable moments that embody your unique love story. Here are some enchanting ideas to inspire your celebration.
Handfasting
Handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition from the 17th Century. It was used as a temporary form of marriage while a couple were waiting for their legal marriage date. This allowed them to live as if they were married for “a year and a day”. The couple would have their hands bound together with cords or ribbons to symbolise their union. This is where the saying to “tie-the-knot” originates.
Handfasting has become increasingly popular in recent years with couples choosing to include the ceremony in their weddings in various ways. You can choose whatever colour ribbons, cords or fabrics you like. Each colour has a traditional meaning or of course you can assign your own meaning to the colours. Most people choose to use ribbons or cords. However, you can use any fabric you like. If, for example, you have Scottish heritage you may choose to use your family tartan.
You stand holding each other’s hands or forearms, depending on the style of Handfasting you prefer, while your guests or Celebrant place and tie the Handfasting fabrics. Once this is done you remove your hands from the tangle of cords to present a beautiful infinity knot. Voila you have truly “tied-the-knot”.
Crystal Ceremony
Harness the mystical energy of crystals for your wedding day. There are a variety of ways to include crystals in your special day. They could be included in your bouquet, used as part of your centre pieces and décor or even included within the ceremony itself. Perfect for those attuned to the spiritual, a crystal ceremony involves guests imbuing a chosen crystal with their blessings and intentions, creating a tangible memento of their love and support.
Firstly, you need to set the scene. Create a calm, sacred atmosphere with incense, sage, soft music or the soothing tones of a singing bowl. If incense or sage are not suitable, sound cleansing or pre-cleansing the crystals can set the mood.
Make sure you choose a meaningful stone, such as rose quartz for love, amethyst for serenity or green aventurine for harmony, to symbolise your union. There are so many options, choose one which works well for you as a couple. Guests can hold smaller crystals or touch the main stone, sharing their intentions.
Invite your guests to offer their well-wishes and hopes for your future, either physically touching the crystals or through focused thought if they can’t reach the crystal itself. Reassure them that positive energy, however expressed, is enough.
The result is a crystal imbued with collective blessings—a lasting memento of the love and support that surrounds your marriage. Perfect for couples seeking a symbolic and spiritual touch to their ceremony, this ritual is both heartfelt and enchanting.
Unity Candle Ceremony
Candles have been used in ceremonies for centuries. A Unity Candle Ceremony usually has the couple each holding a smaller, lit candle and then simultaneously using these to light a larger, central candle to symbolise the coming together as one.
You can have some chosen guests involved in this ceremony, have them create lines on each side of the couple passing their flames along, lighting each other’s candles until the final guests light the bride or groom’s candle. The couple then light the central candle together.
Put your own twist on this by choosing any colour candles you like or even using intricate holders to reflect your theme.
As an alternative to this, consider lighting lanterns—casting an ethereal glow and symbolising the light you bring to each other’s lives.
Jumping the Broom
Jumping the broom carries rich cultural and historical significance. It is often used in Pagan and Wiccan weddings and it has a beautiful symbolic significance, however, it is important to be aware of its history.
The tradition dates back to 18th-century Roma communities in Wales, where couples held “Besom weddings” by leaping over a broom to signify their union. Touching the broom while jumping was seen as a bad omen, and marriages could be annulled by jumping backward over the broom.
It was also used during the slavery era in America, when enslaved people were denied legal marriage, jumping the broom became a symbolic way to declare their union - a poignant reminder of resilience and love amidst oppression.
For Pagans and Wiccans, the broom represents balance and is used to symbolise sweeping away negativity, bringing fresh, positive energy, and marking the start of a new life together.
Couples today may include this ritual to honour its historical significance, symbolise unity, or embrace its spiritual meaning of cleansing and renewal. It’s a deeply symbolic act that carries both reverence and beauty.
Making Your Ritual Your Own
From ancient traditions to modern adaptations, these symbolic ceremonies can bring personal meaning and breathtaking visuals to your wedding. Speak with your Celebrant to explore ideas or create a custom ritual that reflects your unique journey together. In a gothic or alternative wedding, where symbolism and beauty reign supreme, these ceremonies add a touch of magic to an unforgettable day.
Written by Cat Hopkins Celebrant
Instagram @cat.hopkins.celebrant
Photos C and C Imagery
