{Summer Selections} Guest Blog - Rose Ceremony

Discovering unique touches for your wedding should always been top priority. Take this time to reflect on the nice touches to your ceremony that will make it memorable for you and your guests. Read below some great tips by Officiant Larry James on how you could incorporate the Rose Ceremony into your big day.

Guest Blogger: Larry James, Officiant

There are lots of brief add-on ceremonies that you can add to your wedding ceremony. They add a touch of class, makes your ceremony different and keep your guests interested.


The “Rose” ceremony is one of my favorites.

In the rose ceremony, the Bride and Groom give each other a single red rose bud. Two red rose buds are all that is necessary. If you have children involved in the ceremony, you may have a rose for each of them too. The Rose Ceremony is placed near the end of the ceremony just “after” being pronounced wife and husband.

This ceremony is what I call an “add-on” ceremony. It is intended to be added into the wedding or renewal of vows ceremony.

In the old language of flowers, a single red rose has always meant “I love you”. The Rose ceremony gives recognition to the new and most honorable title of “Wife and Husband”.

This ceremony originates in a classic rose ceremony from a lost and elegant age. It was rewritten by the Hon. Mark Ovard and rewritten again by Larry James explaining the true meaning of the ceremony – and in ways that can endure through your married life together – this is a unique and meaningful addition to any marriage ceremony. It will also inspire your guests.

This is also a nice way of involving the mothers in the ceremony.

New twist to this idea
Couples will often stop as they exit and “surprise” the mothers of the bride and groom by handing them each an “I Love You” rose bud. The husband gives his rose to his new mother-in-law and the wife gives her rose to her new mother-in-law, whispering “I love you,” or something nice before proceeding with their exit, knowing that love is not love until you give it away!

You could also say something like, “I’m happy to be a part of the family, etc.” Be sure to tell your photographer that you are giving your “I love you” roses to the mothers so they can get that photo.

NOTE: All roses symbolize Love, but their colors have special meaning. Use the list below to choose the shade that best matches the feeling you want to convey.

Red – Love, passion, respect and courage
Yellow – Joy, friendship and freedom
Pink – Happiness, gratitude, appreciation and admiration
Cream – Thoughtfulness, charm and graciousness
Orange – Admiration, fascination, enthusiasm and desire
White – innocence, purity, secrecy, reverence and to honor those who are deceased

Copyright © 2010  Larry James. This idea is adapted from Larry's Wedding Website. Larry James is a non-denominational minister and performs the most "Romantic" wedding ceremony you will find anywhere! Every wedding ceremony is customized to your complete satisfaction. Call to check availability: 480-998-9411 or 800-725-9223. You will find more than 445 pages of Wedding ideas, tips (95 tips and growing), ceremonies, and more at: http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com/ . Subscribe to Larry's FREE monthly "LoveNotes for Lovers eZINE. Contact: CelebrateIntimateWeddings.com, P.O. Box 12695, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2695.