In recent years it has become very popular for couples to add a unifying ritual element into their wedding ceremony.

As explained in the previous post > Tree Planting Ceremony – Unifying Ritual For A Wedding, the act of symbolically planting a tree is a unifying ritual in which the couple puts dirt and water into a potted sapling container and then later plants the tree at their home.

In preparation for the tree planting element of a ceremony you should have the following items located on a nearby altar or table; a sapling in a pot/container, a watering can, 2 gardening trowels and small container of soil.

The tree planting unifying ritual format can consist of the couple using the trowels to add some soil to the potted sapling. The bride and groom each use their trowel to put some additional soil in the potted sapling container and then together the couple uses the watering can to water the newly potted sapling. While the couple is conducting the actions of the symbolic tree planting the officiant may do some readings and/or there may be music and/or a song performed.

The format options listed below consist of the officiant making an opening statement then a verse reading followed by a closing reading. The opening is a statement explaining that now a tree planting unifying ritual will be taking place. The reading is a bible verse, poem or poignant quote. The tree planting ritual ends with a closing reading that illustrates the comparison of the planting, strengthening and growing of a tree to that of a thriving marriage.

Below are listed some wording options for the tree planting unifying element of a wedding ceremony.

Opening Options

(Opening Option 1)
Officiant:
In a further symbol of their bond of unity, _____________ and _____________ will now take part in a unifying ritual of symbolic tree planting.

(Bride and Groom begin adding the soil to the potted sapling and after the soil is put in they use the watering can to water the newly potted sapling.)

God of Love, bless this marriage and open our hearts and minds to hear your word as we read from Colossians, chapter 3, verses 12-14… So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Amen

Wedding Prayer Examples Part 2

Below is a list of wedding prayer examples. For the first part of the list, examples 1-7, see Examples of the Wedding Prayer.

The wedding prayer is said near the end of the wedding ceremony and is usually a prayer over the new marriage and may include a blessing, scripture or poetry.

8.
Officiant: Dear God we are grateful and joyous as you pour out your abundant blessings on this loving couple and their newly formed marriage. We pray that ____________ and ____________ will honor their vows and promises made here today and we remember the line of beautiful scripture that tells us, There is faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Amen 

9.
Officiant: God blesses you with happiness, prosperity and gives you peace. May your love for each other become deeper and more blissful as you carry onward in your sacred journey of married life. May you draw forth, each from the other, the highest and the best. May you be open and receptive to divine inspiration and guidance. May you express poise, patience and understanding with each other. May your lives blend together in harmony and joy and may your days be good and long upon the earth. Amen. 

The Wedding Prayer or Blessing is said near the end of the ceremony. It comes after the vows and the ring exchange.

It can be a prayer for the new marriage along with a blessing over the new marriage.

Prayers, blessings and scripture are often used in the Wedding Prayer element of a wedding ceremony.

Here's a list of 7 examples of the Wedding Prayer and/or Blessing...

1.
Gracious God, hear our prayer of marriage blessing and grant ____________ and ____________ a spirit of unconditional love in their relationship and bless us all with loving hearts and minds as we pause to read the timeless and enduring words of 1st Corinthians chapter 13 verses 4 thru 7. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Amen.

2.
A Wedding Prayer by the poet Robert Louis Stevenson. Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for the health, the work, the food, and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends  in all parts of the earth. Amen.