| Unity Wine (and more)Ceremonies
One home brewing couple had a Black and Tan Ceremony, another used Russian Vodka (see Honor Culture and Beliefs page.)
Version 1: Couple toasts at ceremony Written by Rev Kris and her sister Rev Denise Michaelsen
Toasts have long been customary as ways in which to congratulate newlyweds. Today _________and ______ will celebrate their union in a toast to each other as the conclusion of a Unity Wine Ceremony. A unity ceremony is a symbolic, visual representation of the joining of the couple into marriage._________and ______ in this ceremony, the red wine represents the deep richness of the love in your hearts and the robust energy which keeps your loving relationship going. The white wine, fermented in oak barrels, represents the strength of a loving marriage and a lingering taste in your soul for the love you feel for each other.Combining the two, creating a rose, is symbolic of your marriage. May your robust energy, strength, and rich love for each other be with you always. You may kiss and then toast, stating “to my husband/wife”
Version 2: Couple saves carafe of wine to enjoy during the reception Written by Rev Kris and her sister Rev Denise Michaelsen
For years, the drinking of wine has been customary as a way in which to celebrate special occasions. Today_________and ______ will, in a Unity Wine Ceremony, create a rose wine, to share during their dinner this evening. _________and ______ in this ceremony, the red wine represents the deep richness of the love in your hearts and the robust energy which keeps your loving relationship going.The white wine, fermented in oak barrels, represents the strength of a loving marriage and a lingering taste in your soul for the love you feel for each other.Combining the two, creating a rose, is symbolic of your marriage. May your robust energy, strength, and rich love for each other be with you always.
Version 3: Cup of Life Two separate glasses are filled with wine. Before the couple is pronounced husband and wife, Minister pours ¼ of the wine from each glass into a separate wine glass - the unity “cup”- from which each sips.
This Cup of Life contains a mixture of two wines. One is symbolic of happiness, joy, hope, peace, love and delight. The other symbolic of disappointment, sorrow, and life’s trials and tribulations. Together the sweet and the bitter represent the fullness of life’s experiences. Drink from the Cup of Life with an open heart and willing spirit, acknowledging your promise to share together the fullness of life.
(This can be concluded with a breaking of the glass.)
Version 4: Wine Blending and Sharing
An adaptation by my friend Rev. Cathleen Brauen We shall now perform a Unity Wine ceremony. The wine sharing ceremony is a delightful ceremony embracing traditions that began well before the medieval period. Then, a bride and groom would celebrate their pledge to each other by drinking wine from a single cup — one blood, one family and one kin. The wine ceremony we will perform today was written for ________and _______ and is a visual representation of the joining of these two very special people. _______and ______these two glasses of wine represent your individual spirits, your individual connections with God, all that you are and, all that you have been, and all that you will become. This (glass/goblet/challis) in the center is your marriage. The place where you are forever blending your lives together. It represents the joining of 2 spirits, 2 lives, 2 souls. Now you will each take your glass and pour into the center goblet. (Bride and Groom each pour about ½ of your individual glasses into the center one) As you do so, keep in mind the pledge you made to each other today. It is the pledge of the truth and purity of your every breath, the constant friendship of your hearts. The passion of your spirits and the deepest love your souls have to give. It is the pledge of all that is within you, the only true pledge that one heart can offer to another. You are now as Husband and Wife offering yourselves, and all that has come to pass unto each other, towards the creation of your future, and to all that is yet to come. Now your two individual lives are combined, like the two wines. You are choosing to blend your lives together and yet, you are still individuals, you remain yourselves. (couple drinks wine).
Blessing of the Wine and Breaking of the Glass Version 1: Serious extended meanings of the glass breaking. Will ------------- come forward to bless the wine?
The breaking of the glass at the end of a wedding ceremony has many symbolic undertones. It is a reminder of the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem and symbolic that, although the couple came together as a single union, the world as a whole is broken and needs mending. The broken glass also serves as a reminder of some very important aspects of a marriage. The bride and groom - and everyone - should consider these marriage vows as an IRREVOCABLE ACT - just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable. But the breaking of the glass also is a warning of the FRAILTY of a marriage. That sometimes a single thoughtless act, breech of trust, or infidelity can damage a marriage in ways that are very difficult to undo - just as it would be so difficult to undo the breaking of this glass. The glass symbolizes the love and relationship of the couple and is fragile, so it must be cared for and not broken. Knowing that this marriage is permanent, the bride and groom should strive to show each other the love and respect befitting their spouse and love of their life." A broken Jewish wedding glass is forever changed, likewise, the couple are forever changed by the marriage and take on a new form. And finally it represents hope that your happiness will be as plentiful as the shards of glass…
As guests today we are here not only to rejoice and honor the bride and groom, but also to provide a sustaining community for them. It is up to them to determine where they want to go and what they want their life together to be. For this, after the breaking of the glass, we say Mazel Tov, Good Luck or Congratulations.
Version 2: With blessings read in Hebrew and English
Will________ please join us now to assist in the blessing of the wine? Family member reads Blessing of the Wine in Hebrew. The minister or family member can then read the English translation. Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings) translation Blessed are you, God who shapes the universe, creator of all things. Blessed are you, who fashions each person. We honor you, God, for forming each person in your image. You have planted within us a vision of you and given us the means that we may flourish through time. Blessed are you, Creator of humanity. May Israel, once bereft of her children, now delight as they gather together in joy. Blessed are you, God, who lets Zion rejoice with her children. Let these loving friends taste the bliss you gave to the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden. Blessed are you, the Presence who dwells with bride and groom in delight. Blessed are you, who lights the world with happiness and contentment, love and companionship, peace and friendship, bridegroom and bride. Let the mountains of Israel dance! Let the gates of Jerusalem ring with the sounds of joy, song, merriment, and delight — the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride, the happy shouts of their friends and companions. We bless you, God, who brings bride and groom together to rejoice in each other.
The couple drinks the wine, the glass/light bulb (pops better) is broken and Guests shout L’Chaim or Mazel Tov!! Version 3: Serious and light message with blessings read in English I am very happy to pronounce that you are now husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. The newlyweds will now share in the Jewish tradition of the breaking of the glass. This ritual at the end of a wedding ceremony has many symbolic undertones. It is a reminder of the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem. The broken glass serves as a reminder of that relationships can be fragile and, so a marriage must be cared for and not broken. A broken Jewish wedding glass is forever changed; likewise, the couple is forever changed by the marriage and take on a new form. The broken glass represents hope that their happiness will be as plentiful as the shards of glass. And on a lighter note it is said that this is the last time the groom gets to put his foot down! _____________will read the blessings and then the couple will drink and break the glass. After the breaking of the glass we would like you to join us in saying (L’Chaim or Mazel Tov) (pour wine) Wine is blessed in Hebrew Translation of Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings) Blessed are you, God who shapes the universe, creator of all things. Blessed are you, who fashions each person. We honor you, God, for forming each person in your image. You have planted within us a vision of you and given us the means that we may flourish through time. Blessed are you, Creator of humanity. May Israel, once bereft of her children, now delight as they gather together in joy. Blessed are you, God, who lets Zion rejoice with her children. Let these loving friends taste the bliss you gave to the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden. Blessed are you, the Presence who dwells with bride and groom in delight. Blessed are you, who lights the world with happiness and contentment, love and companionship, peace and friendship, bridegroom and bride. Let the mountains of Israel dance! Let the gates of Jerusalem ring with the sounds of joy, song, merriment, and delight — the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride, the happy shouts of their friends and companions. We bless you, God, who brings bride and groom together to rejoice in each other.
Break wrapped light bulb or wine glass. Guests shout. Friends and family, it’s my pleasure to introduce to you_____________ | |