New for 2013:
The wedding season is right around the corner. Most couples are putting the finishing touches on their "special day" and want to make their wedding unique. While joining two lives or two families into one through the lighting of a unity candle or sand ceremony, I ran across a new idea on the internet. It's a "Tree Planting" Ceremony.
Initially, the sapling was brought to the church or wedding site with a pot, a bucket of dirt and some water. I'm fairly sure that this idea has had a renewed interest since we are all thinking "green". Yet it is difficult while being all dressed up to replicate tree planting indoors (or outdoors) and without making a mess!
It has also been a trend to use a potted tree at the guestbook table, where guests can write advice to the new couple on card, then attach them to the tree. But, even that idea has been around for awhile.
So, in combining all of these ideas, we bring you the "Family Tree". This tree can be artificial and used as part of the ceremony by the couple. It could include extended family such as Aunts, Uncles, & Cousins if you wish. Or you might just include immediate families. With the tree already in place, family members would come forward to place a hanging votive; thus representing each branch of the family tree. I suggest using battery operated tea lights so a light will not get blown out.