Unity Wine — Something New

We have all seen unity candles. Fairly new is unity sand. For the first time ever, I did unity wine.

Early in the ceremony, connected with memorial candles and flowers for mothers, I said:

Mark and Tiger, you have chosen at this time to have your mothers come up and fill the cups you will use later for your unity wine.

The two mothers poured wine from a carafe into a lovely, clear wine glass.

Later, when a couple normally lights the center unity candle or pours the sand, I said:

As Mark and Tiger share from the Unity Cup, they share in the joy that is created when two people make a lifelong promise to each other. The two small cups represent their two lives. The center cup symbolizes their wish to unite the marriage.

Earlier, your mothers filled your individual cups.

Mark and Tiger, your life has been shaped and filled by your family, so it is a family member who has filled each of your cups.

Now you two will pour HALF the wine from your individual cups in the Unity Cup.

Wine from each up is added equally to the Unity Cup, symbolizing the equal sacrifice you both happily make to create your marriage. There are two reasons that not all the wine in your cups is used.

• First, this is a reminder that while you are joined together, you continue to be individuals. Your individuality is what first attracted you to each other and what continues to draw you together. So, celebrate your individuality and treasure each other’s uniqueness.
• Second, your family has helped to fill your cup through the years, making you the people you are today, and they will continue to shape your lives. Just as the wine poured by your family remains in your individual cups, so the bond you have with your family will remain as well.

In your marriage, as in this wine ceremony, may each of your lives be perfectly combined together (gesture to the Unity Cup). And may your individuality remain cherished  (gesture to the individual cups). As you share from this Unity Cup, may it be a symbol of your commitment to each other, to your family, and to your marriage.

(The Officiant passes the Unity Cup to the Bride and Groom.)

There are more religious versions — different not in actions but in the explanation — as well.

For a couple looking for something new or different, this is worth considering. It works nicely.

Read Mark and Tiger’s proposal story – which I shared with their 100+ guests at the historic Hotel Baker — on my blog. She visits THE ring daily at the jewelry store — until, one day, it’s gone!

See why two photographers are better than one — with proof — on my blog. It features the good looking couple, Mark and Tiger.