Seashell or Stone Ceremony Element
Are you planning a seaside wedding and looking for something special to do to include your guests? After all having your loved ones at your ceremony is meant to not only include them in witnessing your vows to one another but most importantly, to participate in the blessing of your union. So why not have them take part in this blessed event
A favorite unique element of mine to add into your ceremony is the Seashell or Stone Ceremony.
A favorite unique element of mine to add into your ceremony is the Seashell or Stone Ceremony.
I especially love the photo op of the Bride, Groom and all their guests at water’s edge tossing their seashell with their blessing for the couple on them into the surf!
Below are a few examples of wording I have used for this ceremony. Keep in mind all wording can be tailored to your desires. I will customize the wording and flow to fit your ceremony.
You can buy bags of seashells or smooth river stones from most craft stores.
Below are a few examples of wording I have used for this ceremony. Keep in mind all wording can be tailored to your desires. I will customize the wording and flow to fit your ceremony.
You can buy bags of seashells or smooth river stones from most craft stores.
Guests at waters edge getting ready to toss their shells in the ocean! What a great way to include your guests.
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 Have guests write a blessing or message to you on a river rock and put them in a container for you as they leave the ceremony. What a nice keepsake
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Seashell or Stone Ceremony:
As guests arrive they are asked to choose a Seashell or Stone from a basket (or you may prefer to have someone handing them out as they arrive).
At the end of the ceremony the Bride, Groom and Guests are directed to the water’s edge and after a verse is read by the officiant, the couple counts to 3, and everyone tosses their blessing shell into the ocean together. Not only is it a special photographic moment, but is another way for everyone in attendance to be involved in this special day!
If the couples prefers they can have sharpies available and the guests write their wish for the couple, such as, joy, love, Gods blessings, Happiness, Health, trust…whatever they wish for the couple on the shell or stone and the guests place the shell/stone in a keepsake vase as they leave the ceremony.
At the end of the ceremony the Bride, Groom and Guests are directed to the water’s edge and after a verse is read by the officiant, the couple counts to 3, and everyone tosses their blessing shell into the ocean together. Not only is it a special photographic moment, but is another way for everyone in attendance to be involved in this special day!
If the couples prefers they can have sharpies available and the guests write their wish for the couple, such as, joy, love, Gods blessings, Happiness, Health, trust…whatever they wish for the couple on the shell or stone and the guests place the shell/stone in a keepsake vase as they leave the ceremony.
***All wordings can be mix/matched and tailored to your desires***
Option 1:
Officiant to guests: _____ and ___ are deeply grateful for each and every one of you here today. You all hold a place in their hearts reserved for those that they have chosen to call "Family" and "Friend" and because of this they would like to ask you to participate in the blessing of their union with a special seashell ceremony.
As you arrived you were given a seashell. As you hold this shell in your hand think of a blessing that you wish for the couple, for their marriage, such as joy, love, happiness, health, trust…
Officiant to couple: _____ and ___ when a commitment this strong is made by two people, the force of that commitment - of that love, of that courage, reaches out and touches all of us around you, so that our lives are changed and we share a part of your love.
Like a seashell dropped in an ocean, the ripple of the love from this celebration extends and changes the world we live in.
Officiant to guests: In a moment we will accompany the newlyweds to the water’s edge and on the count of 3 we will throw our shells into the sea and as the ripples touch and intertwine with one another, may our love and blessings also touch and intertwine. And should these shells wash up on the shore, may the blessings they contain reach out and touch those who find them, so that their lives are changed and we all share a part of the love that has been expressed here today..
(Officiant will prompt designated person to hand bride her bouquet. Bride and groom will lead the way to the water’s edge)
Officiant: 1…..2…..3…. (Every one tosses shells into the ocean)
Officiant to guests: _____ and ___ are deeply grateful for each and every one of you here today. You all hold a place in their hearts reserved for those that they have chosen to call "Family" and "Friend" and because of this they would like to ask you to participate in the blessing of their union with a special seashell ceremony.
As you arrived you were given a seashell. As you hold this shell in your hand think of a blessing that you wish for the couple, for their marriage, such as joy, love, happiness, health, trust…
Officiant to couple: _____ and ___ when a commitment this strong is made by two people, the force of that commitment - of that love, of that courage, reaches out and touches all of us around you, so that our lives are changed and we share a part of your love.
Like a seashell dropped in an ocean, the ripple of the love from this celebration extends and changes the world we live in.
Officiant to guests: In a moment we will accompany the newlyweds to the water’s edge and on the count of 3 we will throw our shells into the sea and as the ripples touch and intertwine with one another, may our love and blessings also touch and intertwine. And should these shells wash up on the shore, may the blessings they contain reach out and touch those who find them, so that their lives are changed and we all share a part of the love that has been expressed here today..
(Officiant will prompt designated person to hand bride her bouquet. Bride and groom will lead the way to the water’s edge)
Officiant: 1…..2…..3…. (Every one tosses shells into the ocean)
Option 2:
Officiant
_____ and ___ are deeply grateful for each and every one of you here today. You all hold a place in their hearts reserved for those that they have chosen to call "Family" and "Friend" and because of this they would like to ask you to participate in the blessing of their union with a special seashell ceremony.
Officiant to bride and groom:
Before you met, your lives were on different paths with different destinations. But love has brought you together and joined these separate paths into one.
Each one of your friends and family here today have been given a small seashell that represents their unique individuality and their presence at your wedding today.
When a commitment this strong is made by two people, the force of that commitment, of that love, of that courage, reaches out and touches all of us around you, so that our lives are changed and we share a part of your love.
Like a seashell dropped in an ocean, the ripple of the love from this celebration extends and changes the world we live in.
I will now ask that everyone please take out the shell you have been given and pause to make a wish or blessing for happiness and good will for the couple and for the future of their marriage.
In a moment we will all go to the water’s edge and on the count of 3 we will throw our shells into the sea and as the ripples touch and intertwine with one another, may our love and blessings also touch and intertwine. And should these shells wash up on the shore, may the blessings they contain reach out and touch those who find them, so that their lives are changed and we all share a part of the love that has been expressed here today.
Officiant will prompt maid of honor to hand the bride her bouquet. Bride and Groom will be given their shells, they will lead us to the water’s edge. We will line up, bride, groom wedding party and guests*sometimes the photographer takes a minute to line everyone up because this is a great photo opportunity. Onceeveryoneis ready the Officiant will say:1….2….3….
We throw our shells into the ocean
Option 3
Officiant:
Will each guest please take a seashell and accompany me to the water’s edge.
Now, in the spirit of joy and affirmation, I want to ask your families and friends a question:
Do you the families and friends of Groom and Bride give them your blessing and support, wishing them a wonderful life together as they marry? If so, please show them your support by saying "we will”.
Guests say I Will!
I will now ask that everyone please take out the Stone/Seashell you have been given and pause to make a wish or blessing for happiness and goodwill for the couple for the future of their marriage.
Moment of silence to place blessings on Stone/Seashell.
Officiant:
At the count of 3 together cast your shell/stone into the sea and set these blessings free .
May the love that is expressed here today be carried out to on the gentle waves of the vast Atlantic Ocean –that touches all parts of the world, to intertwine and spread love and good wishes to all around us. 1...2…3!
Officiant:
Will each guest please take a seashell and accompany me to the water’s edge.
Now, in the spirit of joy and affirmation, I want to ask your families and friends a question:
Do you the families and friends of Groom and Bride give them your blessing and support, wishing them a wonderful life together as they marry? If so, please show them your support by saying "we will”.
Guests say I Will!
I will now ask that everyone please take out the Stone/Seashell you have been given and pause to make a wish or blessing for happiness and goodwill for the couple for the future of their marriage.
Moment of silence to place blessings on Stone/Seashell.
Officiant:
At the count of 3 together cast your shell/stone into the sea and set these blessings free .
May the love that is expressed here today be carried out to on the gentle waves of the vast Atlantic Ocean –that touches all parts of the world, to intertwine and spread love and good wishes to all around us. 1...2…3!
Option 4
Officiant:
Will each guest please take a seashell and accompany me to the water’s edge.
Each of you have been given a shell as you hold this shell (or stone) _____ and ___ ask that in your mind and heart
You pray that their marriage be blessed. At the count of 3 cast your shells into the sea, and as the ripples
Touch and intertwine with one another, may our love also touch and intertwine to spread love and good wishes to all around us!
May God bless us all!
1…2….3
******Fun addition to any of these options:! The couple may choose to put a message in a bottle and seal it and while guests throw shells into the ocean they throw their bottle. On the note be sure to include your email address or other way for whoever finds it to get in touch with you. There are even companies you can buy a kit from online or make your own.
If you prefer you may have guests put shell or stone in a vase to keep as a keepsake
* This is also a good backup in case of inclement weather
Keepsake Options:
Option 1:
Officiant: (Stone/shell placed in vase -This is said at the beginning of the ceremony as part of the greeting)
When you entered today, you received a Stone/Seashell. Groom and Bride ask that you hold this Stone/seashell in your hands throughout the ceremony and put your blessings for them on it. At the end of the ceremony they ask that you put this special shell/stone that now hold in them the energy of your blessing for them in the vase at the back. This vase of seashells/stones will be in their home as a reminder of all who were present today at their wedding and it will hold your good wishes for them.
Officiant:
Will each guest please take a seashell and accompany me to the water’s edge.
Each of you have been given a shell as you hold this shell (or stone) _____ and ___ ask that in your mind and heart
You pray that their marriage be blessed. At the count of 3 cast your shells into the sea, and as the ripples
Touch and intertwine with one another, may our love also touch and intertwine to spread love and good wishes to all around us!
May God bless us all!
1…2….3
******Fun addition to any of these options:! The couple may choose to put a message in a bottle and seal it and while guests throw shells into the ocean they throw their bottle. On the note be sure to include your email address or other way for whoever finds it to get in touch with you. There are even companies you can buy a kit from online or make your own.
If you prefer you may have guests put shell or stone in a vase to keep as a keepsake
* This is also a good backup in case of inclement weather
Keepsake Options:
Option 1:
Officiant: (Stone/shell placed in vase -This is said at the beginning of the ceremony as part of the greeting)
When you entered today, you received a Stone/Seashell. Groom and Bride ask that you hold this Stone/seashell in your hands throughout the ceremony and put your blessings for them on it. At the end of the ceremony they ask that you put this special shell/stone that now hold in them the energy of your blessing for them in the vase at the back. This vase of seashells/stones will be in their home as a reminder of all who were present today at their wedding and it will hold your good wishes for them.
Option 2 (write your message on the stone)
___ and ___ are deeply grateful for each and every one of you here today. You all hold a place in their hearts reserved for those that they have chosen to call "Family" and "Friend" and because of this they would like to ask you to participate in the blessing of their union with a special seashell ceremony. As you leave the ceremony If each of you could take a stone and with the pen write a special blessing that you wish for the couple and their marriage on the shell-such as; joy, love, God’s blessings, Happiness, Health, trust…and place your stone in the special keepsake container.This container (or vase) of stones will be in their home as a reminder of all who were present today at their wedding and it will hold your good wishes for them.
___ and ___ are deeply grateful for each and every one of you here today. You all hold a place in their hearts reserved for those that they have chosen to call "Family" and "Friend" and because of this they would like to ask you to participate in the blessing of their union with a special seashell ceremony. As you leave the ceremony If each of you could take a stone and with the pen write a special blessing that you wish for the couple and their marriage on the shell-such as; joy, love, God’s blessings, Happiness, Health, trust…and place your stone in the special keepsake container.This container (or vase) of stones will be in their home as a reminder of all who were present today at their wedding and it will hold your good wishes for them.
