Cyprus Celebrant “Special Elements” create memories.
Have you ever felt bored at a wedding ceremony because it’s the same every time and you know what’s coming next? I am sure you want your ceremony to be special, romantic, memorable but also entertaining for your guests. With optional special elements we have the opportunity to do something which will engage everyone. I offer you some optional elements like Hand Fasting, Ring Warming, Unity Candle, Wedding Certificate, Wishing Tree, First Kiss, Jumping the broom to name a few because they will leave you and your guests with wonderful lasting memories.
They’re not for everyone, but read through the options and let me know if you would like to include any of them in your ceremony.
Bespoke Ceremony Certificate
I offer certificates for weddings, vow renewals, civil partnerships, baby naming and adoption ceremonies.
At a wedding or vow renewal the couple, two witnesses and myself sign the certificate. At a baby naming ceremony, the parents, godparents and myself sign.
Cyprus Celebrant ceremony certificates are unique. Every certificate is custom designed and printed especially for you and will have elements which reflect you and your heritage. These are a beautiful and unique memento for your memory box and perfect for framing. We have simple and deluxe presentation folders to choose from. Please contact me to discuss your requirements
When requested, custom made certificates will be made for every ceremony.
Hand fasting Ceremony.
“Tie the Knot”
I perform hand fasting for weddings, vow renewals, engagements, civil partnerships, baby naming and adoption ceremonies. This beautiful unity ritual is perfect for many occasions and specifically tailored for your ceremony.
A popular and inclusive unity ceremony element. This ceremony is sometimes called “Tie the Knot”. It is a hand fasting which is an old custom and dates back to ancient times. A beautiful ceremony where I tie hands together with ribbons, cord, lace, leather or braid, in the shape of the infinity symbol and that is where we get the term “Tying the knot”. By doing this we symbolise the bringing together of two hearts in unity.
This ritual involves family members and close friends. Because they are sharing in the ceremony by wrapping the ribbons and giving their good wishes to the couple as they ‘Tie the knot’ it is inclusive. I make unique cords for you. You decide how many cords you want, and how many people will be part of the unity ritual.
All cords and ribbons are made specifically for you. They will compliment your wedding theme.
During your specially scripted hand fasting ceremony, your honoured people will be invited to bless their cord and place it over your arms whilst making a promise. When the cords are in place I will tie the knot – usually to loud cheers ! This element is a real crowd pleaser.
You decide which colours you would like. I supply ribbons, cord, lace and braid, and a keepsake bag for the hand fasting cords. Because every cord is hand made they will be made to your budget.
Jumping The Broom Ceremony
(Wedding & Vow Renewals)
This tradition of Jumping the broom originally comes from Africa. This tradition symbolises clearing negativity. The action of sweeping the broom across the ground, creates a threshold for the couple to cross over. The broom represents the transition from their past life into their new life.
The spouses sweep the floor in front of them, therefore creating a clear path ahead. They then lay the broom down and jump over it. This signifies moving forward in to their married life.
I supply a hand-made broom Cypriot broom, which will be decorated with flowers and ribbons. This end to the ceremony always gets a cheer !
Wishing Tree.
A wishing tree is a beautiful visual centre piece and above all a focal point for your guests. This element engages your guests. Wishing trees are especially appropriate for weddings, vow renewals, naming ceremonies, adoptions, memorials and celebration of life ceremonies. I have also used them at retirement ceremonies.
Each guest takes a tag and writes write their name and a personal message on the tag. Then they hang the tag on the tree therefore making a beautiful decoration and focal point. This element engages guests before the ceremony starts. The tags are collected at the end of the ceremony and put in your memory box.
Yes I can supply the memory box, or you are welcome to bring your own.
Tree tags can be plain hearts or circles. Alternatively I will have them personalised and printed just for you to compliment your wedding theme.
This is a modern-day guest book which saves people queuing to sign the guest book. It is a great focal point too. Tags are easier to transport than guest books which are heavy.
Wishing Jar / Stack.
(Wedding, Vow Renewal, Naming Ceremony, Funeral, Memorial, Celebration of Life)
Every guest writes a thought or message on a wooden tag. The guests then place them in the jar or on the stack. You can read them later and keep the jar and tags as a memory of the day.
What type of tags can we have ? We will use plain heart shaped, rectangular tags, or wooden tags. Alternatively, I will have custom tags made for you therefore they will match your theme.
What is the benefit of a wishing stack or jar ? This is a modern day guest book which saves guests queuing to sign the guest book. The best part is you get to take it home with you.
Ring Warming.
(Wedding or Renewal of Wedding Vows)
This element happens before the start of the ceremony.
The wedding rings are tied to a small pillow or bag. Each guest will hold them for a few moments and send beautiful thoughts, prayers and good wishes into the rings. They are returned ‘warmed’ by all the love and attention.
You choose from a selection of pouches, boxes or pillows to put your rings in. This therefore keeps them safe whilst they are being passed between your guests.
Special Elements create memories, and in addition to your ceremony the ring warming is a particularly beautiful way to include all your guests, and therefore creates a happy and moving start to a wedding ceremony.
Unity Candle.
(Engagement, Wedding, Vow Renewal, and Naming Ceremonies)
Originally this was a Catholic tradition. However this special element now has a universal meaning. The candles symbolise the joining of a couple in marriage, and the joining of their two families.
The couple’s significant family members will light their individual candles, and these will be used to light the couple’s candle. It is the perfect way to include your family in your ceremony.
It depends on the number of participants. Because of breezes, for safety reasons, we often use lanterns for outdoor ceremonies.
First Kiss Last Kiss
(Wedding)
This normally involves the mothers of the couple. I invite the mothers (sometimes fathers) to join us towards the end of the ceremony. A mother is normally the first person to kiss a child when they are born – however it could of course be their father. In this element they will be the last person to kiss them, before sending them on their married journey. The couple gift their mothers flowers at the end of this element.
Breaking the Glass Ceremony
(Wedding)
The Breaking of the Glass Ceremony was originally a Jewish wedding tradition, however it has become very popular with people of all beliefs. Special Elements create memories and above all engage your guests. This addition to your ceremony will create a memory your guests will enjoy, because it marks the end of the ceremony. As a result the celebrations commence, therefore it gets a loud cheer !
Two champagne flutes are wrapped and placed in a cloth bag before being stamped on.
This dramatically signals the end of the formal ceremony. I will source the glasses and bag for you.
Unity Sand Ceremony.
A Unity Sand Special Element is a ceremony which symbolises the joining of two or more people.
Therefore it’s ideal for any wedding, engagement, or vow renewal. However, this element is especially relevant and appropriate when bringing two families together, especially when they have children. You can involve other family members with this element because it is adaptable and fun.
I offer this element because Special Elements create memories and with this element you can include several people. I also use this with baby naming and adoption ceremonies because it is inclusive.
Firstly, each person involved is invited to pour a different colour sand into the bottle. As a result each bottle creates one family from many individuals. The bottle therefore becomes a beautiful and unique keepsake.
Because you can involve any number of guests in this unity ceremony, it will be great fun.
Because every occasion is unique, I use different sized and shaped bottles to suit every budget. Afterwards when the ritual is complete, I finally seal the bottle with wax, therefore it is easy to transport.
Firstly, that depends on the number of people involved in the ceremony.
Secondly, it depends on the size of the vessel.
Thirdly, it depends on how you want the finished article to look.
Fourthly, it depends on your luggage allowance if you are flying home.
Unity candle, Unity Sand, Hand Fasting & Wishing Trees.
Unity candle, Unity sand, Hand fasting, Wishing tree.
In conclusion. When you are looking for something to make your ceremony extra special and memorable, consider adding a ‘Special Element’. They are certainly a surprise and keep your guests engaged.