Drinking from the Quaich
A two handled loving cup, is an ancient Scottish Tradition that seals the bond of two people and marks the blending of two families.
Jumping the broom
Jumping the broom is a tradition that goes back to 1600's and Afro-American slavery. Enslaved people were not permitted to marry so they jumped the broom as a way of ceremonially uniting. Today it represents great joy and at the same time serves as a reminder of the past and the sweeping away the pain of prejudices.
The Rose Ceremony
The Rose Ceremony is simple yet profoundly moving. Roses are a symbol of love, the giving of a single long stemmed rose is a clear way of saying the words 'I love you'. The couple exchange two red roses, symbolising the giving and receiving of their love for each other throughout their entire married life.
Handfasting
Handfasting traditionally is a promise made between a couple for a year and a day. At the end of that period the couple can decide whether they wish to renew those promises or not, choose another mate or marry for life. The Ceremony involves the tying of hands together with a cord, ceremonial cloth or coloured ribbons, to symbolise coming together and remaining together.
Sand Ceremony
The delightful blending of the Sand Ceremony is a popular and contemporary Ceremony. The sand is used to symbolise the merging of two lives and their combined families. The pouring of two or more different coloured sands into a larger vessel creates a beautiful work of art and memento to be treasured forever.
Exchanging of rings
It is commonly believed that the first examples of wedding rings were found in ancient Egypt and were made of hemp or reeds. The circular shape symbolised eternity and perpetual love. This was also the origin of the custom of wearing the wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand as the ancient Egyptians believed that this finger enclosed a special vein that was connected directly to the heart.