Unity Ceremonies: Cheesy or Charming? (Spoiler Alert: We think they can be pretty special)
August 19, 2025
From Jenn, at J Costello Wedding Officiants
Let’s talk unity ceremonies—the moment in your wedding where you and your partner symbolically blend your lives into one. Some people wonder… are unity ceremonies cheesy? They can be. But they can also meaningful, heartfelt, and often unforgettable. And in our experience? When done with intention and a touch of your personality, they’re absolutely charming.
Why Include a Unity Ceremony?
Unity ceremonies are a beautiful way to personalize your wedding and visually represent your bond. Whether spiritual, cultural, whimsical, or deeply symbolic, they can add a powerful emotional note to your ceremony. Plus, it’s a great way to involve family, represent shared values, or simply be a fun nod to your relationship.
And no, they don’t have to be traditional or over-the-top. They just have to be you.
Classic and Creative Unity Ceremony Ideas
Here are some unity options we love at J Costello Wedding Officiants—whether you’re sentimental, spiritual, artistic, or looking for something totally unique:
🔥 Unity Candle
A timeless choice. Two taper candles (often lit by family) combine to light a central pillar candle, symbolizing two becoming one.
🌱 Tree Planting
Perfect for nature lovers. Blend soil from two meaningful places or take turns watering a young tree together—rooted in love, growing strong. I once ran into a couple a year after their wedding and they were so excited to tell me they had little baby limes growing on their tree from their ceremony!
💧 Sand Ceremony
Pour two colors of sand into one vessel to symbolize blending lives. Bonus: it’s great for involving children or family members too. Most craft stores sell colored sand, so you can pick colors that are meaningful to you or match your color scheme. Did you get engaged on a beach? Bring some sand from there to make it even more special!
🎨 Paint Pour or Canvas Art
Feeling artistic? Pour paint onto a canvas. Abstract, messy, and totally one-of-a-kind—just like love. I’ve done this a couple of times with blended families, and a couple at Artisan Works!
🍺 Unity Beer or Wine Blending
For the foodie (or hops connoisseur) couple: blend two types of beer, wine, or spirits into one custom concoction to share. Cheers!
🔗 Handfasting
An ancient ritual with Celtic roots. A cord or ribbon is wrapped around your hands as vows are spoken—literally “tying the knot.”
📖 Love Letter & Wine Box
Seal away love letters or your personal vows and a bottle of wine in a box to open on a future anniversary (or a tough day). It’s a promise to always come back to each other.
🧩 Puzzle Piece or Lego Build
Something playful? Fit puzzle pieces together or snap Lego bricks into place to symbolize how you fit together perfectly.
Other things we’ve written unity ceremonies for: pinkie promises, wood branding, God’s Knot/Braid, Hand or Foot Washing, Tea Ceremony, etc.
The Bottom Line
Unity ceremonies aren’t cheesy when they come from the heart. Just when I think I’ve seen it all, someone comes up with something unique to them and we’re here for it! Whether you go classic, creative, or totally custom, this small part of your big day can be one of the most meaningful.
At J Costello Wedding Officiants, we help you craft a ceremony that feels authentic to who you are—as individuals and as a couple. If you’re wondering which unity idea fits your vibe, we’re always here to help you brainstorm.
