Thursday, July 9, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Marriage Salt Ceremony Covenant
What is a Salt Covenant?
During Old Testament times, agreements and promised were sealed by salt covenants. Each man would take a pinch of salt from his pouch and place it in the pouch of the other. Their agreement could not be broken unless they could each retrieve their own grains of salt. A Marriage Salt Covenant does the same thing by asking the bride and groom to combine their grains of salt. Their commitment to each other can not be broken unless they can each retrieve their own grains of salt. Since this is not possible it is a symbol of an unbreakable covenant and promise of love.
Why do you use salt?
Salt is considered a pure substance. Many people believe salt to be a good luck symbol and consider it to be a the purest of all earthly materials. It is used in many religious ceremonies as a symbol of purity.
Do you color your salt to match our wedding colors?
No, we do not color our salt because then you would be able to separate your salt from your spouses and it would no longer be an unbreakable agreement.
Can we perform the Marriage Salt Covenant during our
ceremony?
Yes, most churches will allow the Marriage Salt Covenant to be performed during the ceremony. Check with the church or minister performing the ceremony to be sure.
Do we have to perform the Marriage Salt Covenant during our
wedding ceremony?
No, the Marriage Salt Covenant is a wonderful addition to your ceremony but it can also be done in a more intimate setting before or after the ceremony. You can use the Marriage Salt Covenant to enhance the commitment that you have made to your spouse anytime, Many couples choose to do it during their reception or during the rehearsal dinner.
Is the Marriage Salt Covenant just for newly weds?
No, the Marriage Salt Covenant is great to renew a couple's commitment to each other no matter how long they have been married. It makes an excellent anniversary gift.
Can kids participate in the ceremony?
Yes, we encourage children to participate in the union of their parents. We offer additional vials for children to be able to participate in the ceremony and be reminded that they to are a part of the commitment being made.
Is it appropriate to use the Marriage Salt Covenant to honor
our families?
Yes, we often have couples looking for a way to honor deceased or living parents or loved ones use a Marriage Salt Covenant. You can purchase extra vials for them and have you or another family member or friend pour them into the unity vial with yours.
How long will my order take to ship and what is you return
policy?
Please see our Shipping Info page and Refund Policy page for more information on these topics.
How can I carry Marriage Salt Covenant products in my store
or on my website?
Please see our Wholesale page for more info on how to join our team.
During Old Testament times, agreements and promised were sealed by salt covenants. Each man would take a pinch of salt from his pouch and place it in the pouch of the other. Their agreement could not be broken unless they could each retrieve their own grains of salt. A Marriage Salt Covenant does the same thing by asking the bride and groom to combine their grains of salt. Their commitment to each other can not be broken unless they can each retrieve their own grains of salt. Since this is not possible it is a symbol of an unbreakable covenant and promise of love.
Why do you use salt?
Salt is considered a pure substance. Many people believe salt to be a good luck symbol and consider it to be a the purest of all earthly materials. It is used in many religious ceremonies as a symbol of purity.
Do you color your salt to match our wedding colors?
No, we do not color our salt because then you would be able to separate your salt from your spouses and it would no longer be an unbreakable agreement.
Can we perform the Marriage Salt Covenant during our
ceremony?
Yes, most churches will allow the Marriage Salt Covenant to be performed during the ceremony. Check with the church or minister performing the ceremony to be sure.
Do we have to perform the Marriage Salt Covenant during our
wedding ceremony?
No, the Marriage Salt Covenant is a wonderful addition to your ceremony but it can also be done in a more intimate setting before or after the ceremony. You can use the Marriage Salt Covenant to enhance the commitment that you have made to your spouse anytime, Many couples choose to do it during their reception or during the rehearsal dinner.
Is the Marriage Salt Covenant just for newly weds?
No, the Marriage Salt Covenant is great to renew a couple's commitment to each other no matter how long they have been married. It makes an excellent anniversary gift.
Can kids participate in the ceremony?
Yes, we encourage children to participate in the union of their parents. We offer additional vials for children to be able to participate in the ceremony and be reminded that they to are a part of the commitment being made.
Is it appropriate to use the Marriage Salt Covenant to honor
our families?
Yes, we often have couples looking for a way to honor deceased or living parents or loved ones use a Marriage Salt Covenant. You can purchase extra vials for them and have you or another family member or friend pour them into the unity vial with yours.
How long will my order take to ship and what is you return
policy?
Please see our Shipping Info page and Refund Policy page for more information on these topics.
How can I carry Marriage Salt Covenant products in my store
or on my website?
Please see our Wholesale page for more info on how to join our team.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Meaning of the "Unity Sand Ceremony"....
Unity ceremonies have been around in various ways for years. In some places the Unity Sand Ceremony has been around for hundreds or even thousands of years. It’s a way for couples to display the joining of the flow of two lives into a single stream, or a meaningful ceremony that joins existing families into a single bond of love. They can be done using candles or sand, but the meaning is the same.
A Unique Sign of Your Commitment
But if you have a beach wedding idea in mind what could be more appropriate than the Unity Sand Ceremony. And the sand pouring into a unity vase can’t be blown out by the breeze during an outdoor or beach wedding. The Unity Sand Ceremony, a celebration that is usually two to three minutes in length, is a meaningful symbolic joining of two lives. In this timeless ritual of marriage, the couple ceremoniously pours various colors of sand from separate containers, such as seashells, into one special container, the unity vase, symbolizing their coming together as one.
But if you have a beach wedding idea in mind what could be more appropriate than the Unity Sand Ceremony. And the sand pouring into a unity vase can’t be blown out by the breeze during an outdoor or beach wedding. The Unity Sand Ceremony, a celebration that is usually two to three minutes in length, is a meaningful symbolic joining of two lives. In this timeless ritual of marriage, the couple ceremoniously pours various colors of sand from separate containers, such as seashells, into one special container, the unity vase, symbolizing their coming together as one.
A Famous Endorsement
This unique celebration was recently brought into the public eye with the marriage of Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter of the TV series, “The Bachelorette.” Rather than the time-honored ritual of the Unity Candle Ceremony, the famous couple chose the alternative, Unity Sand Ceremony. Their decision has sparked a craze in weddings across the country.
Origins of the Ceremony
The Unity Sand Ceremony has controversial origins, some believing that it began with the Native Americans and some insisting the Hawaiians were the ancestors of the legend. Both sources are mystical and romantic. May be both are right and the Unity Sand Ceremony arose in both places. Whatever its origin, the Unity Sand Ceremony is fast becoming a nationwide wedding ceremony trend. It is both romantic in its meaning and spiritual in its mysticism.
The Meaning Behind It
The flowing sand and blending of the colors in the Unity Sand Ceremony symbolize the bringing together of two lives into one. Some couples prefer to leave a small amount of sand in their respective container to show that even though they now function as one, they remain individuals. The two sands symbolize everything that the bride and groom have been or will become in the future.
The blending of the sand represents the union not only of them but their friends and families as well. The separate sands once poured into the unity vase can never be put back into their separate vases. They are forever entwined just as the lives and loves of the bride and groom.
Taking a Cue from Candlelight
A staple in marriages everywhere, The Unity Candle Ceremony has long been a tradition for marriages both elaborate and simple. Usually, there is a single candle that both bride and groom light from a flame of their own single candle. Parents or other members of the wedding party often join in the candle lighting ceremony using candles of their own. But the burning of the candle leaves no permanent reminder unlike the unity vase of the Unity Sand Ceremony.
In an age where couples are planning weddings that are unique to their beliefs and lifestyle, the sand ceremony can be personalized many different ways to fit the occasion. After the Unity Sand Ceremony, the couple has a unique keepsake to remember their wedding day.
In an age where couples are planning weddings that are unique to their beliefs and lifestyle, the sand ceremony can be personalized many different ways to fit the occasion. After the Unity Sand Ceremony, the couple has a unique keepsake to remember their wedding day.
This is How the Unity Sand Ceremony Works
1) The Groom will commence the ritual by pouring a portion of his black sand (or any other color) into the central glass vase.
2) The Bride will follow by pouring a portion of her white sand (or any other color) into the same central vase, creating a layered effect.
3) To complete the Unity Sand Ceremony, the Groom and Bride pour the balance of their sand simultaneously into the central container. This is one approach; however there are other variations.Find out more about different pouring styles and how to choose your Unity Sand colors
Throughout the steps, the Bride and Groom lovingly recite their Unity Sand Vows. Following the wedding, the two side Unity Sand Ceremony vases can be used to display fresh or dried flowers while the central vase remains a cherished keepsake of your wedding day. So, spend some time considering how you want your keepsake to be displayed before deciding on your sand colors.
1) The Groom will commence the ritual by pouring a portion of his black sand (or any other color) into the central glass vase.
2) The Bride will follow by pouring a portion of her white sand (or any other color) into the same central vase, creating a layered effect.
3) To complete the Unity Sand Ceremony, the Groom and Bride pour the balance of their sand simultaneously into the central container. This is one approach; however there are other variations.Find out more about different pouring styles and how to choose your Unity Sand colors
Throughout the steps, the Bride and Groom lovingly recite their Unity Sand Vows. Following the wedding, the two side Unity Sand Ceremony vases can be used to display fresh or dried flowers while the central vase remains a cherished keepsake of your wedding day. So, spend some time considering how you want your keepsake to be displayed before deciding on your sand colors.
Why it Can Be So Important for Blended Families
If either the bride or the groom or both have children, their marriage is more than just the union of two hearts. It represents the creation of a new family. If you’re wondering how your children can become involved in your wedding, the Unity Sand Ceremony may be just what you need to make them feel a part of the proceedings. With the Unity Sand Ceremony, you will be paying tribute to the role your children play in your lives. You’ll be celebrating the past, present, and future through the mix of sand in glass.Read more about the Family Unity Ceremony
The Essential Ingredients
The essential ingredients of a successful Unity Sand Ceremony are the Unity Sand Ceremony Vase Set and Unity Sand for each of the participants. You’ll want to make sure you buy a Unity Sand Ceremony vase that expresses not only the beauty of your union, but also your individuality as a family. Fortunately, you’ll find that the vases that are available are not only a beautiful wedding ornament, they’re also a lovely keepsake you’ll treasure throughout the years.Find a Unity Vase Set that’s perfect for you
The All-Important Vows
As a sign of your two families becoming one, you’ll want vows that will really capture the beauty of the moment. That’s why you should invest in the Unity Sand Ceremony planning ebook Sand, Sound, & Soul for your vows. It will help you create a unique memory that you’ll cherish for life.Find out how “Sand, Sound & Soul” can help you create an unforgettable Sand Ceremony
A Role for Every Member of the Family
The Unity Sand Ceremony can also be altered in many ways to include family and friends. Besides the bride and groom, various colors of sand are given to wedding members who will add their sand to the couple’s sand, all flowing into the container, creating a colorful and one-of-a kind symbol of unity, strength and love. With the Unity Sand Ceremony, you’ll have a role for every member of the family. Children can choose their own sand colors in order to put their unique mark on the ceremony. They’ll also enjoy the interactive nature of the ceremony – it’s a ritual they’ll never forget!
DIY ~ BMs Totes
Materials needed:
Canvas bags (Sold at Micheals, JoAnns, Wal-mart, etc)
Iron-on initials (I got mine from JoAnns - they had the fanciest font)
Fabric Dye (RIT Brand from Joanns)
Rhinestones
Tacky Glue
Both the bags and the initials were white, so I colored the initials with fabric dye and stuck them on the bag. Then, I ironed them on as the directions stated. To make sure they were secure I put a bit on tacky glue on the edges. For a bit of sparkle, I added rhinestones.... Very easy and fun to do!!
Canvas bags (Sold at Micheals, JoAnns, Wal-mart, etc)
Iron-on initials (I got mine from JoAnns - they had the fanciest font)
Fabric Dye (RIT Brand from Joanns)
Rhinestones
Tacky Glue
Both the bags and the initials were white, so I colored the initials with fabric dye and stuck them on the bag. Then, I ironed them on as the directions stated. To make sure they were secure I put a bit on tacky glue on the edges. For a bit of sparkle, I added rhinestones.... Very easy and fun to do!!
My something "Blue" Idea
A piece of fabic from my wedding dress engraved with intials and wedding day...in blue.
DIY ~ Will You Be My BMs/MOH idea
I really love this DIY idea to ask friends or family to be my attendant. I love unique ideas....it makes it very personal and memorable. I like to customize each one of my ladies cards to our unique relationship. Here are some different wording ideas I really like and want to use:
Wording Option #1 ~**MY FAVORITE**
You've shared with me the special times, our friendship grows each day,We've shared our secrets and our dreams, and laughed along the way.And now at this most special timeas my wedding day nears,I would like to have you by my sideto calm some jitters and the fears.When I am walking down the aislea very happy bride,It would mean so very much to me to have you by my side.Will you be my bridesmaid?
Wording Option #2
You have always been there, more than just a friend. You know just who I am and everywhere I’ve been..You’re the one who I can turn to, any hour of the day. Seems, I only have to think of you and you’ll be on your way.No matter where life takes me, no matter where I roam. When I’m with you’re my friend, my heart feels right at home.So on my wedding day I will need you more than everPlease say you’ll be my bridesmaid now…And my friend forever.
Wording Option #3
You are such a good friend, I'd be lost without you, You helped my heart mend, All the times that I was blue, From boyfriends to gossiping, We've shared so much together, Crying, laughing and talking, I know our friendship will be forever, I want to say how thankful, I am, you seeI would like you to be there for me, To stand by my side on my wedding day, Will you please by my bridesmaid?
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
What is a "Huppah"? Excert taken from My Jewish Learning...
The Huppah, or Wedding Canopy
A Jewish wedding takes place under a huppah, which symbolizes the new Jewish home being created by the marriage.
By Dr. Michael Kaufman
The marriage ceremony is conducted under a marriage canopy, known in Hebrew as a huppah (literally, "covering"). It consists of a square cloth, usually made of silk or velvet, supported by four staves, and ordinarily held by four men.
The huppah is mentioned in the Bible in association with marriage: "As a bridegroom goes forth from his huppah." Elsewhere it is stated: "Let the bridegroom proceed from his chamber and let the bride go forth from the huppah."
The huppah symbolizes the new home to which the bridegroom will take his bride. In this context, the appearance of the bride and groom together under a huppah before an assembly who have come to witness the event is in itself a public proclamation by them that they are now bonded together as man and wife. It is a prelude to intimacy, and thus a significant element in nissuin [marriage].
The cloth huppah was originally draped around the bride and groom but was later spread out over their heads. In some places, a tallit [prayer shawl] was draped over the couple or held above them. The single cloth under which the couple are joined thus symbolizes both the new household they are forming and represents the public recognition of their new status as man and wife.
The canopy is considered an object of Jewish ceremonial art, and in accordance with the Jewish concept of hiddur mitzvah (embellishing the precept), considerable attention is often lavished on it to create attractive huppot.
The sages find a reference to the huppah in the talmudic passage in Avot, referring to the house which is open on four sides. The Jerusalemite R. Yosi ben Yohanan urges, "Let your house be wide open," and compares the huppah to the tent of the patriarch Abraham that, according to Jewish tradition, had entrances on all four sides to welcome wayfarers, so that no traveler, no matter from which direction he came, need be burdened searching for an entrance door. The huppah, with four open sides, is thus a symbol of the Jewish home filled with hesed (acts of love), an important component of which is hakhnasat orhim (hospitality to strangers), a mode of conduct that the newly married couple is expected to establish in their home in emulation of their patriarchal forebear, whose hospitality to strangers was legendary.
It is preferable for the huppah to be outdoors, under the stars, symbolizing the hopes that the couple will be blessed with a large family, in conformity with God's blessing to Abraham: "I will greatly bless you, and I will exceedingly multiply your children as the stars in heaven." [The huppah in the open air is also reminiscent of the sukkah, a temporary structure erected during the holiday of Sukkot. Like the sukkah, the huppah reminds bride and groom that they are protected by God alone and that God is their only haven and support.]
The sages find an allusion to weddings being held outdoors in biblical times in Jeremiah's reference to "the sound of the bridegroom and the sound of the bride... in the cities of Judaea and in the courtyards of Jerusalem."
Strong reservations have been raised in some circles about holding weddings in synagogues because irreverent revelry might result in the profanation of the sanctity of the synagogue. Nevertheless, it was customary in many areas for weddings to be held in the courtyard of synagogues. Indeed, many synagogues in Germany were constructed with a built-in treustein, or "marriage stone" at a corner of the structure facing the inner synagogue courtyard, which bore the initial Hebrew letters of the above verse from Jeremiah. In these communities, the culmination of the marriage ceremony was marked by the groom throwing a glass goblet and shattering it at the treustein.
Some synagogues and wedding halls have a skylight that opens to allow the huppah ceremony to be conducted under the sky.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know that I am not Jewish or practicing the Jewish religion, but I really like the concept of what a "Huppah" represents.....
A Jewish wedding takes place under a huppah, which symbolizes the new Jewish home being created by the marriage.
By Dr. Michael Kaufman
The marriage ceremony is conducted under a marriage canopy, known in Hebrew as a huppah (literally, "covering"). It consists of a square cloth, usually made of silk or velvet, supported by four staves, and ordinarily held by four men.
The huppah is mentioned in the Bible in association with marriage: "As a bridegroom goes forth from his huppah." Elsewhere it is stated: "Let the bridegroom proceed from his chamber and let the bride go forth from the huppah."
The huppah symbolizes the new home to which the bridegroom will take his bride. In this context, the appearance of the bride and groom together under a huppah before an assembly who have come to witness the event is in itself a public proclamation by them that they are now bonded together as man and wife. It is a prelude to intimacy, and thus a significant element in nissuin [marriage].
The cloth huppah was originally draped around the bride and groom but was later spread out over their heads. In some places, a tallit [prayer shawl] was draped over the couple or held above them. The single cloth under which the couple are joined thus symbolizes both the new household they are forming and represents the public recognition of their new status as man and wife.
The canopy is considered an object of Jewish ceremonial art, and in accordance with the Jewish concept of hiddur mitzvah (embellishing the precept), considerable attention is often lavished on it to create attractive huppot.
The sages find a reference to the huppah in the talmudic passage in Avot, referring to the house which is open on four sides. The Jerusalemite R. Yosi ben Yohanan urges, "Let your house be wide open," and compares the huppah to the tent of the patriarch Abraham that, according to Jewish tradition, had entrances on all four sides to welcome wayfarers, so that no traveler, no matter from which direction he came, need be burdened searching for an entrance door. The huppah, with four open sides, is thus a symbol of the Jewish home filled with hesed (acts of love), an important component of which is hakhnasat orhim (hospitality to strangers), a mode of conduct that the newly married couple is expected to establish in their home in emulation of their patriarchal forebear, whose hospitality to strangers was legendary.
It is preferable for the huppah to be outdoors, under the stars, symbolizing the hopes that the couple will be blessed with a large family, in conformity with God's blessing to Abraham: "I will greatly bless you, and I will exceedingly multiply your children as the stars in heaven." [The huppah in the open air is also reminiscent of the sukkah, a temporary structure erected during the holiday of Sukkot. Like the sukkah, the huppah reminds bride and groom that they are protected by God alone and that God is their only haven and support.]
The sages find an allusion to weddings being held outdoors in biblical times in Jeremiah's reference to "the sound of the bridegroom and the sound of the bride... in the cities of Judaea and in the courtyards of Jerusalem."
Strong reservations have been raised in some circles about holding weddings in synagogues because irreverent revelry might result in the profanation of the sanctity of the synagogue. Nevertheless, it was customary in many areas for weddings to be held in the courtyard of synagogues. Indeed, many synagogues in Germany were constructed with a built-in treustein, or "marriage stone" at a corner of the structure facing the inner synagogue courtyard, which bore the initial Hebrew letters of the above verse from Jeremiah. In these communities, the culmination of the marriage ceremony was marked by the groom throwing a glass goblet and shattering it at the treustein.
Some synagogues and wedding halls have a skylight that opens to allow the huppah ceremony to be conducted under the sky.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know that I am not Jewish or practicing the Jewish religion, but I really like the concept of what a "Huppah" represents.....
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Possible Poem for my future husband
After all the planning, and all the stress,
Here I stand like a Queen, in my wedding dress.
After all the hard work, and all the spent bucks,
Here you are reading my note, dressed handsomely in your tux.
It's felt like forever since you first asked me to wed,
But I will never forget those words you first said.
There are no words to describe,
the happiness in my heart, and in a short while we'll be husband and wife, never to part.
I love you so much, you have made my life complete,
No other man could ever do, next to you, Who could compete?
As I sit here and waiting to walk down the isle to your side,
I want you to know how honored I am to be your bride.
You have changed my life in so many ways,
By your side as your wife I will spend the rest of my days.
As we speak our vows, forgive me if I cry,
With so much Happiness inside, it will be hard to keep them dry.
The time is getting close, and my heart it does race,
But I know I will feel ease, when I see your face.
I love you baby, and I will for the rest of my life,
Together forever, you and me, Husband and wife.
Well it's about time for the ceremony to start,
So put down this note, and open up your heart.
The next time you see me, we shall become one,
This is the day, our lives together have begun.
I love you honey, and I know you love me too,
Lets get this wedding started, I am ready to say " I DO
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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