Butterflies, Doves, communion and Glass Ceremonies

Ceremonial Dove Release The "Ceremonial Dove Release" has been a custom for centuries. The "Noblemen of Olde" released the dove as symbols of their eternal love for their brides to be. Doves choose one partner for life and make this commitment until death. The white dove has been used throughout history as a symbol of Love, Peace, Purity, Faithfulness and Prosperity. It is said that if doves are seen on your wedding day, a happy home is assured. These birds released here today represent the love and commitment you have given to one another this day. From this day forward, when ever you see a white dove, may you be reminded of this moment"   Release of Doves The release of Doves in ceremonies extends the message of Peace, the celebration of Life, and the expression of Love. Releasing doves uplifts the eyes, signifies new beginnings and true celebrations in flight. In Scripture doves are more numerous than all other species. Luke 3:22 states: "The heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove." The dove is the symbol of peace, and the presence of the Spirit. They have been chosen by God to be the messengers of the day.   Legend of the Dove Once the Lord of heaven chose two doves, both young and fair, and told them of a very special journey they would share. "Go now upon the earth and see two hearts where you may dwell, and there I shall surely come and make my home with you as well. We'll join the two and make them one. A Husband and his Wife, my spirit will endow their love with everlasting life." Today the Doves will bring the sacred promise from above, to those whose hearts are open to the miracle of LOVE.   Legend of the Butterfly (For Butterfly Release) Today we Celebrate Love in a very special way with the release of butterflies to signify a new beginning for ________ and ________.  According to an American Indian Legend. . . If anyone desires a wish to come true they must first capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.  Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly cannot reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all.  In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit always grants the wish. So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted.  The butterfly symbolizes new beginnings, freedom and happiness. For just a moment, think silently of what you would wish for ________ and ________. We have gathered together to grant this couple all our best wishes and are about to set these butterflies free in trust that all these wishes will be granted. The butterflies will now be released to carry forth the good news of your promise of love and commitment for each other..   Butterfly Release (For Butterfly Release) To make a wish come true, whisper it to a butterfly. Upon these wings it will be taken to heaven and granted. For butterflies are messengers of the Great Spirit.   New Beginnings (For Butterfly Release) From the cycles of life come circles of love, and we give You our thanks for such gifts from Above. From Nature's own beauty come uplifting feelings, from the flight of these creatures may you find life's true meanings. And as these creations escape to the light may the promise of tomorrow always be bright. Let them carry your hopes for what the future may bring, and may your love be uplifted on these butterfly wings.   Wine Ceremony Officiant pours wine into goblet and holds it up and says. The years of life are as a cup of wine poured out for you to drink. This "Cup of Life" contains within it a wine with certain properties that are sweet and symbolic of happiness, joy, hope, peace, love and delight. This same wine also holds some bitter properties that are symbolic of disappointment, sorrow, grief, despair, and life's trials and tribulations. Together the sweet and the bitter represent "Life's Journey" and all of the experiences that are a natural part of it. Those who drink deeply from the "Cup of Life" with an open heart and willing spirit, invite the full range of challenges and experiences into their being. This "Cup of Life" is symbolic of the pledges you have made to one another to share together the fullness of life. As you drink from this cup, you acknowledge to one another that your lives, until this moment separate, have become one. Drink now, and may the cup of your lives be sweet and full to running over." Officiant hands glass to groom, who drinks, then hands it to bride, who drinks, who passes it back to officiant. Officiant: As you have shared this cup of wine, so may you share your lives. May all the sweetness that it holds for you be the sweeter because you taste it together. May you find life's joys heightened, it's bitterness sweetened, and all of life enriched by God's blessings upon you.   Breaking of the Glass Ceremony "The breaking of the glass at the end of a wedding ceremony serves to remind of two 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. There have been many different explanations for the breaking of the glass. Today, the fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships. The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer. "May your bond of love be as difficult to break as it would be to put together the pieces of this glass." After ________ breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout the Hebrew words "Mazel Tov," meaning "Good Luck" and "Congratulations."   The glass is usually a light bulb wrapped in a white towel. The best man will place the glass before the groom. However, it is not broken at this point. Instead, the officiant continues to declare the bride and groom to be "husband and wife". With "congratulations, you may kiss your bride!" the groom then smashes the glass with his foot and kisses the bride.   Communion The cup and the bread waits on a small table. The Minister then passes the bread to the bride and groom, each facing the other. Minister: For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. The groom then the serves it to the bride, the bride serves it to the groom. The Minister then lifts the cup and passes it to the bride and groom, they hold it between them. Minister: "In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, " This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Each in turn serves the cup to the other, the groom passes it back to the Minister. Minister: As you have shared this bread and cup, May you always share in the unity and peace of the Spirit.     ******************** The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.   As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar.