The Hand Washing Ceremony

The Hand Washing Ceremony

Meaning – This ceremony is about starting this new chapter of your marriage with a clean slate and being vulnerable together to increase your closeness.

Time – about 1 to 2 minutes

Supplies:

• Large Bowl filled with water (the water can contain flowers or lemon slices to make it look attractive)
• Two hand towels

Placement – This Ceremony Enhancement is done before the Vows

Spoken by the Officiant

_____ and _____, today, in front of your family and friends, you start this next chapter of your life together. As with any new endeavor, it is best to start with a clean slate – putting problems big and small behind you.

You come, acknowledging that your spouse is not perfect, yet fits with you in a way no other person can. Whatever difficulties you may have experienced, today you have decided that your love is bigger than any of them and you have chosen to renew your commitment to each other.

Water brings forgiveness and we all need forgiveness. We need to forgive others and we need to forgive ourselves. As you wash your hands in this bowl of water, forgive yourself and each other for any pain in the past. Allow yourself to be forgiven for your human imperfections.

Action

The couple will wash their hands in the water together.

Spoken by the Officiant

Allowing yourselves to have your hands dried by each other signifies your vulnerability. And we have to be vulnerable — it breaks through isolation and in our own vulnerability, we become more caring and understanding of our mate. In a loving and compassionate marriage, to achieve the greatest intimacy, you must have the courage to be open and vulnerable to each other.

Action

The couple dries one another’s hands.

Spoken by the Officiant

_____ and _____, do you begin this new chapter of your lives together with grace and compassion?

Spoken by the Couple

“We do”

Spoken by the Officiant

Then let us now move to the portion of your ceremony where you will state your vows to one another.