Brevard Minister

Rev. Fuller's Wedding Blog

Reflections, advice, ritual ideas, stories, guidance and random thoughts from the perspective of an experienced wedding officiant.

Email
  • Brevard Minister
  • Officiants
    • Rites of Passage
  • Writing/Coaching
  • The Ceremony
    • Sample Weddings
  • The Beach
    • Tips for the Beach
    • Brevard Beaches
  • More Help
    • Brevard Venues >
      • Church Weddings
    • Suggested Vendors
  • Blog
  • Portraits and Video
    • 2013 Photo Gallery
    • 2012 Photo Gallery
    • 2011 Photo Gallery
    • 2009 - 2010 Photo Gallery
    • 2006 - 2008 Photo Gallery
    • Video Clips

The Tasting of the Four Elements: A Ritual of Sharing

8/13/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Rituals of Unity symbolize the union of two individuals within the marriage relationship. Rituals of Sharing turn our attention to what this commitment means in practical terms. Marriage is not for better or for worse—it is for better and for worse. Sharing rituals are visible metaphors for the commitment to remain with one another in both good times and in bad. They remind us life is better when shared with someone we love.

The Tasting of the Four Elements is an example of a sharing ritual. It can be quite amusing or charmingly eloquent while its symbolism is incredibly powerful. The expressions on the bride and grooms faces are sometimes priceless and can make for fantastic wedding photos. It demonstrates a commitment to remaining together no matter what life may bring. The ritual is very easy to set up as all you need are four small containers with the following:

1. salty water
2. lemon juice
2. tonic water
3. honey, agave nectar or simple syrup

The bride and groom dip their fingers into the bowls and very gently place a small amount on the tip of the other's tongue as instructed. I highly discourage picking up the dish and taking a swig. Ew! I also recommend not using the same finger in each successive dish. By the time you get to the honey, it is not going to taste very good either.

Officiant: (Bride and Groom) have pledged themselves to a union founded on love, but with and understanding the success of their union is dependent upon the daily commitments they make to one another. We know not what the future brings, but now they face that future together, hand in hand, heart to heart. Their joys will be multiplied because they share them and sorrows diminished because they stand fast in their mutual support.

(Bride and Groom), as your future will have times of sadness and dismay, I ask you to share the taste of salt in anticipation of the comfort you will be to one another as you wipe away the tears.      <salt water>

As your future will have times of disillusionment and regret, I ask you to share the taste of sour in anticipation of the guidance and support you must be to one another.       <lemon juice>

As your future will have times of frustration and conflict, I ask you to share the taste of bitter in anticipation of the compassion and tenderness you must freely give to one another.      <tonic water>

The sweetness of your regard for one another and your marriage endures through all of these three flavors. I ask you to share the taste of this honey to remind you your union is blessed with the sweetness of your love for one another, and this possesses a strength no sadness, regret or frustration has the power to take away.      <honey >

Our prayer for you this day is the difficult times you face are few and far between and you have the strength, grace and integrity to endure as friends and lovers, companions and guides.


If you are not enamored with the idea of sticking your fingers in one another's mouth during your wedding, you can adapt the ritual to use food products instead. A salty cracker, bite-size lemon tart, wedge of grapefruit and piece of sponge cake or a chocolate covered strawberry work beautifully as well.

I have seen some claim this ritual originates in Africa and others say it hails from Eastern Europe. Regardless of where it comes from, the Tasting of the Elements is a real crowd pleaser because it is so rarely included in American weddings. Guests enjoy being treated to something unique and consequently often think the couple came up with it on their own. If you want to symbolize your sincere desire to dedicate your lives to one another, this is a great way to demonstrate it in the context of your wedding ceremony.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Rev. Ann Fuller

    The commentary on this blog is my own opinion developed over years of officiating a wide range of wedding sizes and styles. I am always happy to answer any questions you may have.
    brevardminister@cfl.rr.com

    ASK REV. ANN

    Photographers: If you recognize a photo used on this blog for which you have not been properly credited, please let me know immediately. I use images in good faith, but the internet being what it is, they can lose their provenance quickly. I am happy to either remove the image or provide attribution.

    If you would like me to use one of your photographs, by all means send it to me and I will work it into a blog entry at some point and link to your site.

    Archives

    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    Alcohol
    Ask Rev. Ann
    Beach Weddings
    Bell Of Truce
    Bilingual
    Blending Families
    Blessings
    Bridesmaids
    Bridezilla
    Budget
    Children
    Conclusion Rituals
    Escorting Bride
    Expert Panel
    Fashion
    Favors
    Flower Girl
    Flowers
    General Advice
    Guest Blogger
    Guests
    Hair And Makeup
    Home Weddings
    Honoring Loved Ones
    Jumping The Broom
    Marriage License
    Music
    Nature
    Notary
    Officiants
    Package
    Photography
    Readings
    Real Weddings
    Reconciliation
    Rehearsals
    Ring Bearer
    Rings
    Ritual
    Sharing Rituals
    Time Capsule
    Tips And Tricks
    Unity Rituals
    Venue Reviews
    Videographer
    Vows
    Wedding Dress
    Wedding Planners
    Youtube Clips

✕