Make your wedding in Las Vegas more memorable. Consider some of the alternative, interesting and unique unity ceremonies.
1. Handfasting Unity Ceremony
The handfasting ceremony is an ancient Celtic ceremony which was a ritual practiced in the British Isles and Europe. It symbolizes the unbreakable bond between a man and woman in marriage. It actualizes the idea of “tying the knot,” an idiom often used to refer to weddings. The wedding ritual is a simple yet distinctive way of making your wedding official – an interesting way to make your Las Vegas wedding permanent.There is no set rule for how many cords are used. You may use one cord if you like. If using more than two or three colors, ribbons may be easier to use than cords and less expensive.Each of the cord colors has its own special symbolic meaning. The cords can be several colors twisted into one cord and used for a single cord ceremony. If you prefer, up to six cords can be draped individually to tie your hands together loosely.
Items list:
Each cord should be at least 48″ (4 ft.) long, so the ends can all be tied together. For more than two or three colors, ribbon usually works better than cord or rope.
• Red: Will, love, strength, fertility, courage, health, vigor, passion. • Orange: Encouragement, adaptability, stimulation, attraction, plenty, kindness. • Yellow: Attraction, charm, confidence, balance, harmony. • Green: Fertility, luck, prosperity, nurturing, beauty, health, love. • Blue: Safe journey, longevity, strength. • Purple: Healing, health, strength, power, progress. • Black: Strength, empowerment, wisdom/vision, success, pure love. • White: Spiritual purity, truth, peace, serenity and devotion. • Gray: Balance, neutrality, used in erasing, canceling, neutralizing, and return to the universe without repercussion. • Pink: Love, unity, honor, truth, romance, happiness. • Brown: Healing,, skills and talent, nurturing, home and hearth, the earth. • Silver: Creativity, inspiration and vision, and protection. • Gold: Unity, longevity, prosperity, strength.
In case you and your partner are wondering, hands-fasting doesn’t make your wedding a restricting bond. Rather, the symbolism of the ties that bind is intended to remind the both of you that marriage makes being there for one another as more than just an obligation – it is an agreement borne out of your souls’ perpetual connection with one another.
The glass breaking ceremony stands as an important rite of passage signifying the lasting endurance of marriage. It is a traditional part of a Jewish ceremony however many couples are integrating this meaningful ritual into their ceremony.
Items needed:
• Easily breakable small glass or plastic wine glass • White napkin to wrap the glass
The glass or plastic glass is wrapped in a towel. At the end of the ceremony the best man will place the wrapped glass at the feet of the groom who steps on the glass and breaks it. At the end of the ceremony, once the groom breaks the glass, the guests shout together, “Mazel Tov!” which is a Jewish phrase meaning congratulations or good luck.The symbolism of this ritual compares the difficulty of reassembling the shattered glass pieces back together to the fragility of love. Glass-breaking, of course, helps signify in thought, that the fragile nature of glass introduces feelings of resolve to make relationships work – quite like a symbol that reminds you and your spouse that your marriage will last forever.
The wine pouring ritual is a unity ceremony that typically uses alcohol, specifically wine, as a symbolic means of solemnizing a marriage. This ritual remains a novel idea.
Items needed:
• An eclectic mix of two kinds of wine: red and white • A goblet or special cup to drink from
This wine-pouring ceremony involves the bride and groom taking turns drinking from a “common cup,” in which both red and white wine is combined. The said combination promises both an abundance of love, embodied by the red wine, and everlasting strength of marriage, represented by the white wine.Here is a link to Unity Wine Ceremony sets on Amazon or View a Unity Wine ceremony here
4. Unity Cross CeremonyThe unity cross is a unique unity ceremony idea to be implemented into a religious ceremony. The symbolism represents the joining of two lives into one blessed by the love of God.
Items Needed:
• An outside cross frame with a base • Inner sculpted cross to fit into outside frame
There are two pieces of the cross. The parts are assembled during the unity service. The groom takes the outer cross and places it in the wood base. The bride proceeds to place the sculpted cross inside the outer cross. Most couples will display the cross in their home after the wedding to serve as a reminder of their vows and wedding day and unity with God. View a unity cross ceremony example here
5. Rose-Exchange Unity Ceremony
The rose has long been a symbol of love. Roses fit the scene of every wedding. This ceremony has proven to be a ceremony idea for unity.
Items Needed:
• Two rose presentations or rose buds to exchange simultaneously
Giving a rose to the love of your life may take on a world of lovely meanings: “I love you with all my heart,” and “you’re very special to me” being among the words you may intend to say. When done as a wedding ritual, rose-giving enables you to express your feelings of everlasting love even when you’re already at a loss for words.
Rev. Nourish is a Las Vegas wedding officiant who will help you customize your wedding ceremony and tailor it to your needs with each ceremony. She has over 20 years experience creating and performing weddings in Las Vegas.
10 Simple and Elegant Wedding Dress Styles for your Vegas Wedding
Are you a lucky bride who will be getting married in Vegas — the glamorous entertainment capital of the world?
Then you need a gorgeous wedding dress that is both stylish and comfortable in the warm Vegas weather. So, once you choose a location for your Vegas wedding and hire aLas Vegas officiate, it is time to go shopping for this all-important wedding dress.
To help you make your choice, the bridal experts fromBest for Brideprovide some inspiration and explanations of 10 fun and elegant wedding dress styles to consider. Take a look at their round-up of the best wedding dress trends for a Vegas-friendly wedding before you hit the stores.
#1 Short and stylish white wedding dress
Vegas is pretty hot during the traditional wedding season. So, a smart little white dress like this one from the Alfred Angelo Signature collection is perfect for aless-than-formal Las Vegas weddingdress styles for the warm weather months.
Not only is the dress functional, it is chic and modern. The other great thing about choosing a little white dress is that unlike most other wedding dresses, it is re-wearable and thus great value for money.
A short dress with a strapless or sleeveless neckline is ideal for a summer wedding and one of the popular wedding dress styles. Pair it with a shrug or stole to complete your bridal look.
#2 Glamorous off-the-shoulder neckline dress
The off-the-shoulder neckline is currently abig hit on the bridal fashion scene.The unique detail instantly adds a glamorous touch to the bridal look, and is favored by many brides.
Off-the-shoulder necklines pair well with almost any elopement. Sensual and elegant, the neckline is often attached to straps or sleeves of different lengths. It draws attention to the neck, shoulders and decolletage.
The style flatters most body types, and is suitable for both formal and casual themes. Featured here is a dress from the Mori Lee bridal collection with Chantilly lace appliques on tulle. The off-the-shoulder neckline comes with illusion sleeves of three-fourth length that complement the lovely textures in the fit and flare silhouette.
#3 Bewitching one-shoulder wedding dress neckline
In recent years, asymmetrical details in the neckline and hemline have been a trend on bridal runways.
And with it, the one-shoulder dress style has returned. Notice how the one-shoulder strap detail on this Rory wedding dress from the Sophia Tolli dress collection is dramatic and instantly attractive! Single shoulder necklines look good on dresses of any length and style.
The thickness and fabric of the strap, as well as how it comes together with the rest of the silhouette affects the overall look. So, whether your wedding is a formal event or has a casual vibe, there will be a one-shoulder dress that will help you impress your guests.
#4 The clever two-in-one wedding dress
Isn’t it a great idea to sport two different looks on your wedding day—one for the ceremony and the other for the reception? The two-in-one wedding dress, fondly dubbed the twofer, is just right for such occasions as getting married in Vegas.
Dresses with detachable overlay skirtsallow you to enjoy both the different looks without any hassle. These convertible dress styles usually feature a slim inner silhouette and an opulent overlay skirt.
This dress from the Alfred Angelo collection interprets this trend in an unusually stylish way. Beneath the elegant hi-low tulle overlay skirt is a short and chic sheath style lace dress. The shorter length will allow you to comfortably dance in it, at the reception.
#5 Dramatic tiered wedding dress
Tiered skirts are a recent trend that was seen in a number of designer collections last year. Unlike the overpowering ball gown, layered wedding dresses are a happy mix between the fairy-tale princess gown and modern wedding dress silhouettes.
Going by how this trend took the fashion world by storm, we think it is here to stay. Tiers set at different levels are usually seen on various silhouettes including the A-line and mermaid.
They have a refreshing and novel effect. You can see how this dress, the Maisie from the Mori Lee collection, has all that it takes to transform you into a picture of opulence. Just the perfect dress for getting married in Vegas because it is cool for the weather and easy to wear for a Vegas wedding!
#6 Amazing back detailed wedding dress
When planning your bridal look, you must pay attention to looking good from every angle, especially the back. This is because you will be facing away from your guests during the ceremony.
Exquisite and intricate detailing in the back of many dresses make this a trend to embrace. With a variety of options, like illusion details in the back, keyhole cutouts and low-cut backs, it is now easy to look great from this angle as well. Take a look at the example here.
The open back with borders of thin lace in this dress from the Mori Lee collection makes it a stunning beauty from the rear angle. Another advantage is that you can forego veils when you choose a wedding dress with amazing back details.
#7 The retro halter style wedding dress
Not every bride can carry a halter-style wedding dress with style. Nevertheless, the halter neckline is a stunning feature that enhances the style quotient of the wearer.
This neckline highlights the shoulder and collar bones, and draws attention to slender arms. Often paired with a low-cut back, it allows you to expose skin in an unexpected and sophisticated way.
While there is modest coverage in the decolletage area, the back screams for attention. Halter-style wedding dresses have regained focus lately, and are a great choice for formal and informal events. Consider a halter neckline in a satin finish and a fitted silhouette for an elegant, modern bridal look.
The halter when paired with airy breathable fabrics like chiffon has a casual and informal feel.
#8 Stylish in sleek satin wedding dress
If you must look super-modern, but elegant on your wedding day, a satin wedding dress is the go-to choice. Soft with a sheen, white satin dresses exude an air of sophistication.
The fabric can be soft or structured. However, contemporary choices are modern silhouettes like the mermaid with a structured bodice and layering in the skirt.
Other popular choices include A-line and sheath silhouettes. With a satin dress, you do not need many accessories or embellishments to complete the look.
Simpler choices are usually just as captivating. Check out this dress with straight lines and minimalist details in Larissa Satin. It is the Marlena from the Mori Lee collection. The lovely V-neckline accentuates the slimming effect of the fit and flare silhouette, and the dress is as elegant as it is simple.
#9 Colored wedding dress
Step away from tradition by choosing a colorful wedding dress instead of a standard white wedding gown for your nuptials. Designers like J.Mendel, Pamella Roland and Keveza have introduced us to muted shades of pink and rose in wedding dresses that add just a pop of color.
Muted shades of gray and blue are also trending on bridal runways. These soft sober colors are a fine alternative to white, as they aren’t too bold nor bright. Equally attractive are dresses with colorful floral prints.
This cappuccino dress is the Mon Cheri Adeline from the Sophia Tolli dress collection. With a hand beaded shimmering applique along the sweetheart neckline and at the hips, the asymmetrically draped tulle dress is a fantastic choice for a bride.
Short hemlines and deep necklines wedding dress
The combination of a plunging neckline and a short dress hemline will help you nail a fun and flirty look on your wedding day. Deep-dipping V-necklines are the choice for brides who have the confidence to show off their bold side.
Although a low-cut neckline comes with a fair share of risks, you can be safe by simply adding a modesty panel. Here is a cute dress from the Alfred Angelo Collection with all these desired features.
Perfect for a warm Vegas wedding, the dress features spaghetti straps that flow into a deep-cut bodice. The clever addition of a sheer layer makes sure that the bold neckline choice doesn’t create any unwanted issues.
Author Bio: Best for Bride is a bridal chain that operates from four store locations in Canada. They specialize in designer bridal dress collections, dresses for the bridal party and for special occasions. They have collaborated with us to write an article about wedding dresses for couples getting married in Vegas. Best for Bride also has an online shopping option that caters to brides from all over the world. For more information on the collections they feature and their wedding services, check out theBest for Bride website
Share your Opinion: I want to know your opinion. What is your favorite wedding gown and why it’s your favorite ? Leave your feedback below in the comments section.
The unity cross is a unique unity ceremony idea to be implemented into a religious ceremony. The symbolism represents the joining of two lives into one blessed by the love of God.
