This ceremony involves the couple/parent writing a love letter to each other/the child in the weeks before the ceremony. They will also prepare a special box filled with romantic items such as a CD of their favourite songs, photographs, pieces of poetry and other mementos. For naming ceremonies you could include special itemas such as the first outfit they wore home from the hospital or a hat that was knitted by someone special.
On the day of the ceremony the box is positioned at the front of the ceremony room. At a chosen part in the ceremony they will each be asked to place their love letters in the box which will then be sealed shut.
Each of the couple keeps one of the two keys to ensure that one cannot open it without the other.
This ceremony is suitable for both marriage and civil partnerhip ceremonies. It can also be adapted to make it suitable for Naming Ceremonies.
The box will then be opened on the couple’s first anniversary, or the childs twenty-first birthday.
What you will need
A lockable box
2 padlocks with keys (1 for a naming ceremony)
2 love letters sealed in separate envelopes
Example Wording
Family and Friends, [Party 1] and [Party 2] have chosen as a couple to perform a Love Letter and Box ceremony.
This box contains romantic items very special to both of them, and a love letter from each to the other. The letters describe the good qualities they find in one another, the reasons they fell in love, and their reasons for choosing to marry. The letters are sealed in individual envelopes and they have not seen what the other has written.
You have created your very own “romantic” time capsule to be opened on your wedding anniversary.
We recommend that you keep the box in a place of honor prominently displayed in your home as a constant reminder of your commitment to each other. [Party 1] and [Party 2] should you ever find your marriage enduring insurmountable adversities, you are to as a couple, open this box, sit down together, then separate and read the letters you wrote to one another when you were united as a couple in marriage.
By reading these love letters you will reflect upon the reasons you fell in love and chose to marry each other here today. The hope is, however, that you will never have a reason to open this box. And if this is the case, you are to open this box to share and enjoy on your wedding anniversary!
[Party 1] and [Party 2] you may now seal the box.