FLOWER CEREMONIES
Flowers took a prominent role in last week's post on Recognition Ceremonies performed during weddings. This week we will take another look at some other ways flowers are incorporated in wedding ceremonies.
We are all familiar with the flower girl dropping petals prior to the bride walking down the aisle. We also know that floral arrangements both at the wedding and the reception hold a very significant place in wedding budgets. But other than the obvious, how do you incorporate flowers in your ceremony?
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ROSE CEREMONY- The rose has long been a symbol of love. In many cultures a single red rose means I love you. In the Rose Ceremony, the bride and groom exchange a single rose (usually red). This exchange is the couple's first gift to each other as husband and wife and the rose will forever represent as the icon of their love. It is said that when a couple faces a challenge in their marriage, if they present their partner with a single red rose, it signals that they remember their promise of unending love and are willing to work out their problems.
As we discussed in last week's post, a variation of the Rose Ceremony includes handing roses to the mother of the bride and groom (or other persons of honor such as the grandmothers) as the couple proceed down the aisle after the ceremony.
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WREATH/WEDDING CROWN/STEFANA CEREMONY - In the Greek and Eastern Orthodox traditions as well as some Pacific Islands, the officiant has two very ornate headbands or crowns usually on the altar. At an appropriate time during the ceremony, the wreath or crowns are placed on the bride and grooms head and then exchanged between the two as the officiant reads a blessing or says a prayer.
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BOUQUET BLESSING CEREMONY - Like the rose ceremony, this ceremony can be done by either the groom and bride or members of their families. The essence of the Bouquet Ceremony is to honor family and/or friends who have played a major support role in the couples relationship by giving them flowers.
Variations of this ceremony include having individuals from each family put roses in one vase. The ceremony has a greater visual effect if you use 2 distinct colors for each family (for example the bride's family members would add pink flowers and the groom's would add red flowers). But don't be afraid to try something different. If it is more representative of your families' dynamics, use a variety of flowers and/or colors to form your bouquet.
Whatever method you choose, the end result is a beautiful bouquet representing the joining of two families as one. While family members are adding to the bouquet you can have someone recite a reading or perform a song. Try to limit the number of family representatives to 5 or so, otherwise the ceremony gets too long and loses its significance.
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