For this ceremony the couple/parents needs to give each other/the child a rose. This can also involve the bestman/ witness/supporting adults or other person bringing the roses forward and doing a reading.
A fitting example being Robert Burns’ ‘My Luve is like a Red, Red Rose’ before handing them to the couple/parent who will then exchange them during this ceremony. Some couples prefer to opt for a straightforward exchange of the roses during the ceremony and others have even chosen to involve their children in the ceremony.
The rose ceremony is particularly apt for Valentine’s weddings but works equally well throughout the rest of the year.
This ceremony is suitable for all types of civil ceremonies.
Example Wording:
Your first gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings – which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect and a public showing of your commitment to each other. In addition, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life – one I hope you always remember – the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.
Registrar hands each a red rose bud/or invites family member to present the roses
The rose is considered a symbol of love and a single rose always means only one thing – it means, “I love you.” So it is appropriate that for your first gift – as wife and husband – that gift would be a single rose bud.
Please exchange the rose buds as your first gift to each other as wife and husband. Within these rose buds, if given proper loving care, is the potential for an even more beautiful expression of Life and Love in the form of the mature flower. And so it is with your marriage. At this point your marriage is like these rose buds – ready, with proper loving care – to unfold into a very beautiful expression of life. [Party 1] and [Party 2] if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure. Whatever the situation, love, understanding, acceptance and forgiveness can make everything right.
Example Wording (Naming Ceremony)
The rose is considered a symbol of love, (parent 1) and (parent 2) are presenting this rose to (child) to symbolise their eternal love for them. I would now like to invite the supporting adults and the grand parent forward to present a rose.