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“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” These words have a
nearly universal meaning and are traditionally used to conclude the end of the
time-honored wedding ceremony. However, more and more modern brides and grooms
are choosing to embellish on what has been a long-standing and rarely changed
ritual by adding special touches of their own. One such addition is called the
Rose Ceremony.
The Rose Ceremony is typically performed directly after the
couple is announced as husband and wife. Because of this, it allows a
commingling of the traditional (the vows) and the modern (the exchanging of the
roses). The Rose Ceremony is also easily modified to include children.
The Rose Ceremony begins with the couple each holding a red
rose. They exchange their roses as a symbol, both of their love and of their
first and most important gift to each other. Additional vows, written by the
husband and wife, are also easily added into the ceremony, as well as any
special songs that they feel are appropriate.
If there are children involved in the ceremony, now would be
an opportune time to allow the new parents to give a rose (or to each of their
step-children. This inclusion into the ceremony provides the newly connected
family with a way of bonding themselves together forever.
While seeming like a modern addition to the more traditional
wedding ceremony, the exchanging of flowers with special meanings goes back to
the Victorian ages, when it was called floriography. Although the varied
meanings behind many flowers and their colors has been lost to the general
public, with the advent of the Internet it is easy to find all the information
that you need to plan a beautiful Rose Ceremony.
The color of the roses exchanged can be chosen with help
from a variety of books on the subject of flowers and their meanings. “The
Language of Flowers: A History” by Beverly Seaton is one such book, and comes
highly recommended. As well as containing the meanings of various flower
colors, Seaton’s book provides a detailed history of the symbolism of different
flowers throughout the ages.
It is important to note that while it is typically referred
to as a Rose Ceremony, the actual use of roses is not at all required.
Depending on the meaning that you want to imply or the colors of your wedding,
other flowers may not only be suitable but preferred. For example, a pink
carnation represents motherly love and would be quite suitable for a bride to
give to her step-children, or for the bride and groom to present to their
mothers-in-law. The lilac, which comes in both purple and white (and therefore
easily matches wedding colors), represents true and pure love.
Whatever flowers you choose and for whatever reason you
choose them, the addition of the Rose Ceremony onto the end of your wedding
ceremony is a sure way to show the world your devotion and love on your most
special day.
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