Five Symbolic Rituals to Make Your Wedding Ceremony Truly Yours

One of the things couples tell me most often is this
“We’re not religious, but we still want something meaningful.”

And honestly, I love hearing that.
Because it usually means they’re open, curious, and ready to incorporate an element that might make the ceremony feel even more like them.

Symbolic rituals can give a ceremony depth without being rigid, emotion without being awkward, and meaning without rules. They don’t have to feel cheesy or forced. They become one of the most remembered moments of the entire ceremony.

Here are five symbolic rituals I often suggest to couples who want a ceremony that feels personal.

1. Handfasting

An old ritual that feels surprisingly timeless.

Handfasting is where your hands are gently tied together with a ribbon or cord. Those two stands symbolize connection, commitment to each other, and the conscious choice to walk forward together.

What I love about it is how flexible it is. You can choose colours that mean something to you. You can involve family members in tying the knot for you - or keep it just between the two of you.

2. Sand Ceremony

Two stories becoming one.

In a sand ceremony, each of you pours sand (or a bit of earth) into one shared vessel. You can both pick sand/earth from you family home for example, or another meaningful place for you as individuals. Then you pour it together, as your lives start as one now. Once mixed, it can’t be separated again. It’s simple, but the symbolism is strong.

This ritual works beautifully for destination weddings, beach weddings, or ceremonies with children, as they can be included as well. Many couples keep the glass afterwards as a reminder of the day, sitting on a shelf at home rather than disappearing into a wedding box.

Or, a special idea: you could implant a little seed or a plant into the dirt - and watch it grow at home.

3. Ring Warming

When your guests become part of the promise.

With ring warming, your rings are passed through the hands of your guests before you exchange them. As they hold them, they silently infuse the ring with their wishes, thoughts, or blessings to you.

It’s incredibly moving, especially at more intimate weddings. It turns the ceremony into something shared with your closest friends, and often creates a beautiful sense of calm right before the vows.

4. Letters or Wishes from Loved Ones

A moment of closeness without speeches.

Instead of long readings or speeches, some couples choose to receive short written wishes from friends or family. These can be read during the ceremony or opened together afterwards.

It’s a lovely way to include people emotionally, even if they’re not speaking out loud - they may share something in the letters that they wouldn’t share in person. And it is a beautiful memory to look back on years later.

5. A Ritual That’s Just Yours

Because not everything needs a label.

Some of the most beautiful rituals I’ve seen don’t have a name at all. Pouring a drink together. Lighting a candle at a specific moment. Planting something. Playing a piece of music that carries a shared memory.

If it means something to you, it belongs in your ceremony. There are no rules here. The best rituals are the ones that reflect your story, not tradition for tradition’s sake.

A Final Thought

A ceremony doesn’t need to be long or formal to carry meaning. It needs to feel right for you, and represent you two.

Symbolic rituals are not about performance. They’re about intention. About slowing down for a moment and consciously marking the transition into what comes next.

If you’re currently planning your ceremony and wondering what might fit you best, this is exactly the kind of thing I love talking about with couples.