The handwashing ceremony was new to me despite my many years as an officiant. It basically is about starting this new chapter of your marriage with a clean slate & allowing yourselves to be vulnerable together in order to increase your closeness.
It doesn't require much; a larger bowl of water that may be filled with flowers or lemon slices to look even more festive, & two hand towels.
In the opening words, we talk about "the clean slate" of a new marriage; putting past problems behind you, acknowledging that your spouse is not perfect, but fits with you as no other can, choosing to renew your commitment to one another in spite (or because of) difficulties encountered, & the power of forgiveness, symbolized by water.
Washing your hands together in the water signifies forgiveness of ourselves & each other for any pain in the past. Allowing your hands to be dried by one another signifies not only bonding & working together but especially vulnerability, a key part of marriage -- allowing ourselves to be vulnerable breaks through isolation & we become more caring & compassionate toward our mate.
What a fun & meaningful ceremony! Hope to have pictures soon.
It doesn't require much; a larger bowl of water that may be filled with flowers or lemon slices to look even more festive, & two hand towels.
In the opening words, we talk about "the clean slate" of a new marriage; putting past problems behind you, acknowledging that your spouse is not perfect, but fits with you as no other can, choosing to renew your commitment to one another in spite (or because of) difficulties encountered, & the power of forgiveness, symbolized by water.
Washing your hands together in the water signifies forgiveness of ourselves & each other for any pain in the past. Allowing your hands to be dried by one another signifies not only bonding & working together but especially vulnerability, a key part of marriage -- allowing ourselves to be vulnerable breaks through isolation & we become more caring & compassionate toward our mate.
What a fun & meaningful ceremony! Hope to have pictures soon.