It isn’t always easy to make a wedding feel true to your personality. Since these events follow a certain format, you may find yourself checking boxes off a list instead of giving your nuptials proper personal attention. For same-sex couples, there is the added challenge of finding rituals that don’t rely on traditional gender roles. While it may be frustrating, there are endless options to consider. Think outside the box and look at a handful of fun and interesting wedding rituals to celebrate your big day. 

Exchange Crowns

When it comes to symbolism, the wedding rings often steal the spotlight in terms of representing an infinite and unbreakable union. However, rings are far from the only circular accessory you can wear. Donning crowns can be another lovely way to add a visual touch to your event that also offers some significance. Many cultures throughout history wore crowns made of everything from precious metals to twig and twine in their wedding rituals. One of the more prominent examples is the Stefana crown of Greek Orthodox ceremonies. Couples wear and exchange crowns during the celebration to symbolize their bond. 

Bind Hands

Though often emotional, many wedding ceremonies can often be a bit boring for guests. This is mainly because the entire event basically consists of watching two people stare at each other while an officiant reads from a script. If you want to keep the crowd engaged, a hand binding wedding ritual can be a fun option. This process involves having the hands of the couple tied together with ribbons or colorful string. In Celtic traditions, this is known as handfasting. It has been a very prominent part of wedding ceremonies across Ireland for centuries. 

Fans of the “Game of Thrones” television series will recognize handfasting. In the fantasy realm of Westeros, couples across the Seven Kingdoms marry in a similar fashion. Whether you decide to lean into the nerdy side of hand binding or you take a more serious approach to honor the Celtic tradition, this may be a great way to entertain your guests with a bit of flair. 

Bury Booze

Some traditions are fun to incorporate into your wedding because they can be entirely unexpected for those in attendance. In America’s Southern states, there is a classic ritual involving a bottle of bourbon and a shovel. Before the day of the marriage, the couple is supposed to visit the location of the wedding and dig a hole. A bottle of bourbon is then placed in the hole upside-down and buried. According to old superstitions, doing this was a way of warding off bad weather on the wedding day. 

This tradition goes a bit beyond wishing away the rain. Once the wedding ceremony has finished, the couple must then dig up the bottle and take a drink in front of their guests. Whether you share the bottle with guests or keep nipping at it throughout the reception, this is definitely one of the more fun wedding rituals to consider.

Pour Sand

Having a beach wedding? Marrying by the sea is definitely one of the more popular choices, and it can offer some unique options for personalized rituals. An interesting tradition that has come about in recent years is “pouring sand.” During the ceremony, the couple will each take a jar of sand and pour it into an empty vase together. The idea is that the couple is like the sand; though the grains were once separate, they have now come together in a seamless way. 

From binding your hands to pouring sand, there are all kinds of unique rituals you can use to personalize your big day. With a little creativity, you will have no trouble finding traditions that best represent the love you share.