- Today as a bride and I were preparing a simple intimate wedding ceremony for a couple getting married soon but who are also planning to renew their vows with a large family celebration next year....after their baby girl is born :) we came to the ring exchange. The couple has ordered custom wedding rings but they had not arrived yet and they did not want to "fake it". So they asked me to skip the ring ceremony for now. That is not a problem because the ring exchange while a beautiful tradition, is not a requirement of the civil ceremony in the State of Florida; so I removed it. But as we kept talking, I shared with the bride if perhaps in lieu of the ring ceremony we might include a poem or different type of vows. She liked the idea so I started doing some research. I was so happy to find a lovely tradition called, blessing of the hands which along with the reading of a short and sweet classic poem by an unknown author would be perfect. They agreed, and now I want to share with you!
- In any tradition, a hand blessing is a ritual that is meant to draw you closer to one another…Hand blessings symbolically brings two hearts together because hands are considered to be a connection to the heart, just as placing a ring on your left ring finger is said to connect the union to the heart. With that in mind, typically this poem is a blessing ~ read before the exchanging of rings at wedding ceremonies. In this case, I am going to read it in lieu of the ring ceremony.
- Blessing of the Hands - author Unknown
- These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
- These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
- These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
- These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
- These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.
- These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
- These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
- These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
- And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
- How wonderful....what do you think?
- Anyone planning on using this as a ceremony reading? I hope you’ll find this idea useful, please do share your thoughts, I’d love to hear from you.
- EJB
2 Comments
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10/17/2022 02:01:18 pm
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