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 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.)
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.)
(Opening Option 2)
Officiant:
And now ____________ and ____________ will partake in a symbolic tree planting as this represents their unity in the bond of matrimony.
(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.)
(Opening Option 3)
Officiant:
In a special expression of their unifying commitment to their newly formed marriage, ____________ and ____________ will now engage in a symbolic tree planting ceremony.
(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.)
Officiant:
And now ____________ and ____________ will partake in a symbolic tree planting as this represents their unity in the bond of matrimony.
(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.)
(Opening Option 3)
Officiant:
In a special expression of their unifying commitment to their newly formed marriage, ____________ and ____________ will now engage in a symbolic tree planting ceremony.
(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.)
READING OPTIONS - (one or more readings may work well in your ceremony)
(Reading Option 1)
Officiant continues:
Let us read from the book of Psalms Chapter 1, verse 3...
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Amen!
(Reading Option 2)
Officiant continues:
And now here is a special reading from Khalil Gibran…
Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.
(Reading Option 3)
Officiant continues:
And now here is a special reading from Martin Luther…
For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.
(Reading Option 4)
Officiant continues:
Those who wish for a flourishing marriage will be well served by remembering the insightful counsel of Nathaniel Hawthorne, when he wrote…
Caresses, expressions of one sort or another, are necessary to the life of the affections as leaves are to the life of a tree. If they are wholly restrained, love will die at the roots.
(Reading Option 5)
Officiant continues:
As ______ and _____ symbolically plant the tree, Let us reflect on the mystical words of Saint Teresa of Avila…
In a state of grace, the soul is like a well of limpid water, from which flow only streams of clearest crystal. Its works are pleasing both to God and man, rising from the River of Life, beside which it is rooted like a tree.
(Reading Option 1)
Officiant continues:
Let us read from the book of Psalms Chapter 1, verse 3...
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Amen!
(Reading Option 2)
Officiant continues:
And now here is a special reading from Khalil Gibran…
Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.
(Reading Option 3)
Officiant continues:
And now here is a special reading from Martin Luther…
For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.
(Reading Option 4)
Officiant continues:
Those who wish for a flourishing marriage will be well served by remembering the insightful counsel of Nathaniel Hawthorne, when he wrote…
Caresses, expressions of one sort or another, are necessary to the life of the affections as leaves are to the life of a tree. If they are wholly restrained, love will die at the roots.
(Reading Option 5)
Officiant continues:
As ______ and _____ symbolically plant the tree, Let us reflect on the mystical words of Saint Teresa of Avila…
In a state of grace, the soul is like a well of limpid water, from which flow only streams of clearest crystal. Its works are pleasing both to God and man, rising from the River of Life, beside which it is rooted like a tree.
Closing Reading Options
(Closing Reading Option 1)
Officiant continues:
With patience, sunshine and the Grace of God, the trees grow tall, heaven bound, with branches ever-reaching new heights and yet the tree’s branches also reach out… towards one another with branches interwoven resulting in a beautiful canopy providing a safe haven. With love, patience and grace, ____________ and ____________ will encourage and support each other as their marriage flourishes and they too reach new heights yet always reaching for one another, thus creating a safe abode where peace and love abides.
(Closing Reading Option 2)
Officiant continues:
As we contemplate on how a tree changes and adapts through all seasons in order to continue to thrive and grow, we can see how this applies to a marriage as well. ____________ and ____________ a faithful marriage endures the change of seasons, responding to the trials in darkness with trust and assurance in knowing that a new season is coming, where growth and fruitfulness rejoices in light.
(Closing Reading Option 3)
Officiant continues:
The planting, strengthening and growth of a tree provides us with an excellent illustration for drawing comparisons to a flourishing marriage. Just as the roots keep the tree firmly grounded, love and patience will build a strong foundation for ____________ and ____________ 's marriage as it becomes renewed and empowered through the ever-changing seasons that lay ahead.
(Closing Reading Option 1)
Officiant continues:
With patience, sunshine and the Grace of God, the trees grow tall, heaven bound, with branches ever-reaching new heights and yet the tree’s branches also reach out… towards one another with branches interwoven resulting in a beautiful canopy providing a safe haven. With love, patience and grace, ____________ and ____________ will encourage and support each other as their marriage flourishes and they too reach new heights yet always reaching for one another, thus creating a safe abode where peace and love abides.
(Closing Reading Option 2)
Officiant continues:
As we contemplate on how a tree changes and adapts through all seasons in order to continue to thrive and grow, we can see how this applies to a marriage as well. ____________ and ____________ a faithful marriage endures the change of seasons, responding to the trials in darkness with trust and assurance in knowing that a new season is coming, where growth and fruitfulness rejoices in light.
(Closing Reading Option 3)
Officiant continues:
The planting, strengthening and growth of a tree provides us with an excellent illustration for drawing comparisons to a flourishing marriage. Just as the roots keep the tree firmly grounded, love and patience will build a strong foundation for ____________ and ____________ 's marriage as it becomes renewed and empowered through the ever-changing seasons that lay ahead.
After the tree planting ceremony the wedding ceremony continues on to the next element. It is common for the unifying ritual element to come after the exchange of the rings and before the wedding prayer/blessing.
For another example/option and more about the tree planting ceremony for a wedding see > Tree Planting Ceremony – Unifying Ritual For A Wedding.
For another example/option and more about the tree planting ceremony for a wedding see > Tree Planting Ceremony – Unifying Ritual For A Wedding.
