Weddings – Wine Ceremony
There are many ways to perform a wine ceremony. We’ve seen many variations of a wine wedding and the great thing is that there is no one way to do it. You can start your own wine wedding tradition.
One wine wedding ceremony is to pour a glass of wine, talk about it’s aging and mellowing and about sharing wine together, then each the bride and groom drink from it. We’ve seen couples pass the wine glass to their family members as a remembrance of the history of their families, now united.
Another version of the wine ceremony is that 2 glasses are poured and the bridal couple drinks while their arms are locked. This can be tricky, so some practice is recommended.
The Jewish wedding calls for drinking wine and then taking a glass, wrapped in a cloth, and crushing it underfoot.
One couple we married asked to be poured a glass of white and a glass of red during the wedding ceremony, each drank from each glass and then they poured their wine together in a separate glass, and the new glass of wine looked like a rosé. We talked about the color of their wines and the blending of their hearts together to become one. The newly married couple served a rosé at their wedding reception to remind everyone about their marriage. Their best man reminded everyone about the significance of the wine they were drinking during his wedding speech. Interestingly, their wedding flowers were red roses and white roses, with two pink roses in the middle.
One variation to have a wine theme wedding is to have a wine reception, give wine wedding favors such as engraved wine glasses or even engraved wine openers as wine favors and even do a wine tasting at the reception. For wine aficionados this can be a great way to share the love for wine.
Wine Ceremony
Written by J.K Schwehm
Red wine and white wine in a small carafe is placed next to an empty carafe with a
wineglass on a small table near the couple. The center carafe, called the Marriage
Carafe is sometimes a bit larger than the two outside “individual” carafes.
Alternatively there would be 2 carafes and one empty glass. If the ‘individual
carafes’ are carried in the Wedding Processional the Marriage Carafe or Wine
Glass is already sitting on the table and only the two individual filled carafes are
carried forth.
When the Wine Ceremony is done – music can be played or there can be no
music at all.
The Wine Ceremony can be divided into two parts. The presenting of the two
individual carafes filled with red and white wine to be placed on the table near the
larger empty carafe during the processional. Then part two the pouring of the two
separate wines into the empty carafe and drinking the combined wine by the
wedding couple. Part two follows the exchange of vows. The ceremony can be one
part with the wine already sitting on the table and the couple just combining the
wines before drinking them.
Part One can take place during the Wedding Processional with one of the
attendants on both sides carrying the red or white carafe and placing it on the
table. Or a bit earlier the parents of the couples come forward with a bottle of wine
and fill the smaller carafes already on the table just before they are seated and
then the wedding processional starts.
Ceremony:
After the vows the Officiant announces ” We Now Shall Perform the Wine
Ceremony” The couple goes to the table and each takes the individual carafe and
pours some wine into the larger carafe. The groom then takes the larger filled
carafe with the combined wine and pours some in a glass for the bride. The bride
then takes the Larger Carafe with the combined wines and pours some into a
glass for the Groom. He may now toast his bride with, ” Now Our Lives Are One”
and drinks from the glass she responds the same. They place the wineglass back
and face back to the officiant. Who states.
‘This Ceremony represents the two individual lives are now combined like the two
wines into one single life. The drinking of the combined wine signifies the
commitment you now make to live your lives as one family. May you remember this
day of commitment you have sealed with drinking of the new wine joining your lives
as one.”
He may also announce that immediately after the service others may drink the new
wine of their commitment to one life if they so desire. Or Rose wine served at the
reception to mark this ceremony. Originally a French wine country tradition in
joining two vineyard owners in marriage
PREPARATION FOR THE WINE CEREMONY
The Rose is the symbol of love, and the blending of the red and white wine creates a light pink Rose Wine, celebrating the love of the new couple.
Before the wedding begins, red wine and white wine, each in a small carafe, are placed next to a larger empty carafe with one or two wineglasses on a small table near the couple. The center carafe, called the “Marriage Carafe” is usually a bit larger than the two outside “individual” carafes. The Wine ceremony usually takes place after the ring exchange. Music during the wine ceremony can add a nice touch, but is always optional.
________________________________________
The Wine ceremony is hip and contemporary, yet gives any ceremony an old world, traditional feel. Like the Sand ceremony, Breaking of the Glass, Rose and Unity Candle ceremonies, the Wine ceremony symbolizes the blending of your two lives into one. Many couples enjoy the unique nature of the Wine ceremony… especially the wine!
________________________________________
WINE CEREMONY – TWO LIVES
The Officiant announces “To symbolize and celebrate the blending of your two lives into one, I invite you to perform the Wine Ceremony”. The couple proceeds to the table and each takes an individual carafe and pours some wine into the larger carafe. The Groom then takes the larger filled carafe with the combined wine and pours some in a glass for the Bride.
The Bride then takes the larger carafe with the combined wines and pours some into a glass for the Groom. He may now toast his Bride with, “Now our lives are one” or “To our lives together” or “To us” and drinks from the glass. This is a great place to add some special words to each other. The Bride then toasts the Groom with the same.
They place the wine glasses back and turn back to the officiant, who states: “This ceremony represents your two individual lives, combined like the two wines into one single life. The drinking of the combined wine signifies the commitment you now make to live your lives as one family. May you remember this day of commitment you have sealed with drinking of the new wine joining your lives as one.”
The Officiant may also announce that immediately after the service others may drink the new wine of their commitment to one life if they so desire, or Rose Wine may be served at the reception to mark this ceremony.
________________________________________
WINE CEREMONY – FRUITS OF CREATION
In this wine ceremony, a single glass of rose wine is placed on a table, from which both the Bride and Groom will both drink after the reading.
In this glass are the fruits of Creation, Mankind and Mother Earth. The years of our lives are like a cup of wine that is poured out for the sake of labor, honor and love. Many days you will sit at the same table and eat and drink together. Many are the experiences you will share.
As with a glass of wine, one of you may find it sweet, the other perhaps dry or somehow different. Let the drink you share today serve as a reminder that although you may perceive things very differently, being right is never more important than being happy. With this space that you give each other, always putting your commitment to love and honor one another first, your lives together will grow deeper, richer and greatly satisfying, like a rare and fine wine. You may now drink from this fountain of love. (Couple gives each other a drink from the same glass)