The Ring Warming is an old irish tradition. This ritual is ideal for couples who want to associate their loved ones with their marriage through a strong symbolic gesture.

@Claire Macintyre

Accessories :

Before your wedding ceremony, your wedding rings are secured to a piece of ribbon or attached to a small cushion or in a box or other symbolic object so that they do not fall out during the ceremony.

credit photo @pinewoodwedding

@Kirsten Lindquist

Symbolism of the Ring Warming ceremony

People need to live in society in a positive community whose values and beliefs they share. Through this ritual, the guests show their love and support for the new couple that is being created.

The whole idea of a “Ring Warming Ceremony” is that your wedding rings have been “warmed” forever by the positive vibes, wishes & loving energies of each guest. This is an very personal way to get your guests involved in your commitment itself.

Program of the Ring Warming ceremony

Step 1

At the beginning of your ceremony, the officiant explains the ritual: the rings will find their way through the audience during the ceremony so that everyone can gather by holding the ring and making a silent wish for the couple, their marriage & their future.

Because my celebrant mission is also to raise people’s mindfullness during the ceremony, I create magic a collective meditation on an inspiring musical background chosen by the couple.

Collective meditation during Mitch et Anaïs wedding ceremony – @Baptiste Hauville

Step 2

Then the officiant will start the ring warming: he gives the rings  to the first row of the assembly. This gesture can also be made by a grandmother or a bestman who will be in charge to bring them back before the exchange of rings.

Ring warming impulsed by the groom’s grandmother – @Baptiste Hauville

As the box with the wedding rings silently travels through the congregation, I tell the whole story the couple. It is very moving when I see all those loved ones touch the box for a long moment, sometimes kissing it, sometimes whispering blessings…

@Claire Macintyre

The wedding ring cushion goes back to bride and groom who exchange their rings full of the love and support of their loved ones.

Caroline & Mikael wedding ceremony – @ Jeremy Froeliger

The unity candle ceremony i an union ritual. It symbolizes the light that illuminates our lives and the fact that bride & groom unite their individual lights to make one.

Accessories :

• two candles (add one candle per child in case of ritual for a blended family *)
• a big marriage candle

Unity candle ceremony

Ritual program

The candles are lit by the bride and groom’s mothers to symbolize the life they have given them and the family transmission.

The bride and groom take a candle each and they light the unity candle together.

Once the big candle is lit, the candles can be extinguished or remain lit, as a symbol of the lasting individuality of the couple. At that moment, I can sing a song chosen in my repertoire.

Symbols :

The two burning candles symbolize your separate lives and families.

The unity candle’s flame represents your two lives now joined and your new “home” literally.

wedding ceremony officiated in  la Divine comédie in Provence @ludivine_photographe

 wedding ceremony created in château de la Cour Senlisse  @onjoyland

Unity candle ceremony alternatives

* Option 1 Unity candle for a blended family:

Children can be involved by adding a candle for each child to light with their grandmothers.

The unity candle will be lit by the couple and their children with the flames of their candles together

This strong gesture symbolizes the creation of a new family.

vow renewal ceremony in domaine des étangs @guychevalier

Option 2  collective unity candle :

The purpose is to share the bride and groom’s flame with all the guests, a symbol of the unity of friends and family that supports the couple.

A candle will be placed on the seat of each guest

From the back, guests give the flame from candle to candle until all the candles are lit.

At last, the couple takes the flame and together enlight the marriage candle.

The visual image is strong once all the flames are shining.

Option 3 – unity candle & virgin Mary bouquet

Combining the unity candle with the Provence ritual of the bouquet to virgin can be a beautiful alternative to symbolize your Christian beliefs.

wedding ceremony officiated in  la Divine comédie in Provence @ludivine_photographe

Wedding trick:

Your wedding day is special day for you both : make it more special with a personalized marriage unity candle. Your sweet marriage candle will be lit on each wedding anniversary.

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