Symbolic Rituals

At Civil Weddings, we offer symbolic rituals as a meaningful way to personalise your wedding, vow renewal, or naming ceremony—rituals that feel truly personal—honouring your values, heritage, and story. Whether you’re drawn to ancient traditions like handfasting, meaningful gestures like a sand ceremony, or faith-based rituals from your cultural background, these elements can add depth and emotional resonance to your day. Many couples discover these options after reading about our inclusive approach on the About page, and choose to blend symbolic or religious touches into their ceremony in a way that feels authentic and personal.

Symbolic rituals have appeared in ceremonies for centuries, often rooted in ancient traditions and adapted to suit modern celebrations.

Two of the most beautiful examples are the Blessing of the Hands and the Handfasting Ceremony. In a Handfasting, the couple’s hands are gently tied together with braid, ribbon, or fabric—symbolising unity—before exchanging vows and rings in a deeply personal, non-religious ceremony.

You might prefer a floral ritual involving two bouquets, where each of your mothers places a bouquet in a separate vase on the ceremony table. During the ceremony, you’ll each pluck a single stem from your family’s bouquet and place them together in a smaller vase—symbolising the joining of your families through your marriage.

Or perhaps you’d like a Sand Ceremony, where each person pours a different coloured sand into a single clear vessel, creating a layered effect that represents the blending of lives, love, and harmony.
These rituals can be adapted to suit your story, your values, and your ceremony style. Contact us for further details or to explore what might feel right for you.

Capturing the Moment

Photographers may not be familiar with some of these rituals, so they might miss the key moments unless briefed in advance. If you’d like certain symbolic gestures captured in your wedding photos or video, it’s worth explaining their significance and sharing the sequence or cues your photographer should watch for.

Ready to explore symbolic or faith-based elements for your ceremony?
Whether you already have something in mind or you’re just curious about what’s possible, we’d be happy to chat. Get in touch to talk through your ideas.