Jean Thomson Ceremonies
@ Make a vow.info
Have you thought about including a symbolic ritual in your ceremony
HANDFASTING. (Tying the knot) An ancient Celtic/Medieval custom, especially common in Scotland and Ireland, in which a couple come together to declare that they intend to marry. It’s become popular in modern day ceremonies due to the ‘tying the knot’ symbolism and because it was shown on Game of Thrones. While facing each other, the couple will join hands while a cloth is tied around their hands in a knot. The symbolic act typically involves fastening a couples hands together with cording, ribbon, twine, or silk sash while I as the celebrant say some meaningful words (and prayers if wished) as the cords are wrapped around the couples hands.
QUAICH - The Quaich is a traditional drinking cup with two handles, unique to Scotland. Drinking from a Quaich is part of a long established tradition of hospitality. If you share a cup like this with somebody, you can’t do harm or injury to the other. The bride and groom each hold the quaich handles for the other to drink from its contents. This symbolises togetherness and trust. The contents are left to individual tastes, though a fine single malt whisky would be the traditional choice. – symbolic of happiness, joy, hope, peace, love and delight. Someone of the couples choosing is invited to fill the cup, usually the grooms father. If either bride or groom does not drink alcohol then a soft drink could be substituted for the spirit. Our other National drink Iron Bru perhaps
SAND CEREMONY - A Sand Ceremony or Blending of the Sand is a unique way to symbolize two lives becoming one in a wedding ceremony. It usually follows the exchange of rings. The ceremony involves the celebrant introducing the ceremony and presenting the couple with separate containers of sand. The Celebrant pours her sand first into the display bottle, followed by the groom and then the bride follows and pours her sand in and then the couple pour their sand in together until finished. This is a great way to include family members or children in the ceremony
JUMPING THE BROOM. This ancient tradition of jumping of the broom as it’s called in England or besom as we call it in Scotland is used in modern day to end wedding ceremonies.
The broom was chosen because it has been the symbol of the home for many different cultures, throughout history and represents the threshold between past and present, a symbol of new beginnings.
By jumping the broom they are signifying their crossing of a threshold into a new relationship as husband and wife. .
As our happy couple jump, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony.