No unity ceremony

Readings and unity ceremonies are two different things. We are having two reading done but aren't doing a unity ceremony. The wedding itself is a unity ceremony so there is no requirement for anything extra.

If you don't want a unity ceremony you don't need to have one, it is completely optional.

Your fathers could do readings if you wish but, this is separate from a unity ceremony and is not a replacement for it (if you wanted to do both you can or you can do one and not the other). I would not have them make speeches, this is usually reserved for the reception and would be awkward and out of place at the ceremony.

We're not doing a unity ceremony or any readings, unless FH professes his until now unmentioned need for one.

We found one that we kind of like (the cord of three strands) because I think it's the best way to represent our faith in that, but we're not sure if we even want to do one really. We'll address it as we get closer. I've never seen anyone with strong opinions on it though.

I think people just don't make posts about things they're not doing.

Our ceremony involves a quick non-denominational prayer, the vows, and the rings. Should take 5, 10 minutes tops? It doesn't have to be elaborate or anything.

We're not doing any unity ceremonies either. They don't fit our personalities AT ALL.

I totally understand why you posted, it feels like EVERYONE is doing unity ceremonies, it's nice to know that other brides don't see it as necessary to do one just because they are popular.

In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride and Groom give each other a Rose. Two roses are all that is necessary. The Rose Ceremony is placed at the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced husband and wife. In the old language of flowers, a single red rose always meant "I love you". The Rose ceremony gives recognition to the new and most honorable title of "Husband and Wife".

Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other.

You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman - the title of "husband" and "wife." For your first gift as husband and wife, that gift will be a single rose.

In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one thing - it meant the words "I love you." So it is appropriate that for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be a single rose.

Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife. (Exchange flowers) In someways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.

________ and ________, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love.