What is a symbolic ceremony?

The first symbolic weddings originated in the United States many years ago, and over the last decade, they have become increasingly popular in Europe, especially in Northern countries, and gradually also in Italy.

For those who are not yet familiar, it’s important to clarify that a symbolic wedding has no official legal validity. To make it legally binding, the couple will need to marry either before or after in a civil ceremony or through a religious rite.

What I find fantastic is that a symbolic wedding offers the opportunity to completely personalize the ceremony, holding it in a location that is meaningful to the couple—whether it’s the place of their first date, their first kiss, or even their own backyard!

And unlike a civil or religious ceremony, you can choose who will officiate the wedding!

Many couples also decide to enhance the ceremony with one of the so-called symbolic rituals.

These rituals are special moments, often highly visual, that seal the union of the couple. There are many of them, but here are a few of my favorites:

• Unity candle ceremony
• Sand ceremony
• Warming of the rings
• Handfasting (ribbon ceremony)
• Tree planting ceremony
• Wine ceremony
• Bread ceremony (traditional in Russian culture)

In weddings where the couple comes from different nationalities, the symbolic ritual might be typical of one or both of their countries of origin. In my opinion, this adds an even greater level of originality to the ceremony.