Tree Planting Ceremony
~Unity Tree Ceremony Wording Options~
Just like the unity candle and unity sand ceremony. The unity tree planting ceremony can be used to symbolize the joining together of two individuals or the joining of two families.
The ceremony is conducted in much the same way as other unity ceremonies are. You set up a separate table near the alter.
On this table you would have a potted tree/sapling, something perhaps with special meaning to the couple or taken from a special place.
You would also have two small buckets of dirt, two gardening trowels as well as a small watering can placed on the table.
If you choose to have the ceremony symbolize the joining together of both family’s then upon the entrance of the mothers, each mother goes to the table and scoops in a small amount of dirt. Then they take their seats.
During a specific reading or song, the couple will each add the remainder of dirt and water the plant together.
After the ceremony, the couple plants the tree in at their home or a special location to symbolize the putting down of roots, longevity and strengths in their marriage.
Here is an example of some wording the Officiant may say during the planting (all wording can be mixed/matched and tailored to your wishes):
Option 1:
Officiant:
_____ and ___ will now take part in a Tree Planting Ceremony, to symbolize the roots of their relationship, and the continued growth of their love, as they become each others family today.
Love is the essence of human experience and emotion. It is the root of all and everything we, as humans, do. Love enriches our experience, and fills our lives with meaning. It gives us a firm base from which to grow, to learn, and change.
Let your relationship and your love for each other be like this tree you plant today. Let it grow tall and strong. Let it stand tall during the harsh winds and rains and storms, and come through unscathed. Like a tree, your marriage must be resilient. It must weather the challenges of daily life and the passage of time. And just like the tree you are planting, marriage requires constant nurturing and nourishment.
After the ceremony, the couple plants the tree in at their home or a special location to symbolize the putting down of roots, longevity and strength in their marriage.
Just like the unity candle and unity sand ceremony. The unity tree planting ceremony can be used to symbolize the joining together of two individuals or the joining of two families.
The ceremony is conducted in much the same way as other unity ceremonies are. You set up a separate table near the alter.
On this table you would have a potted tree/sapling, something perhaps with special meaning to the couple or taken from a special place.
You would also have two small buckets of dirt, two gardening trowels as well as a small watering can placed on the table.
If you choose to have the ceremony symbolize the joining together of both family’s then upon the entrance of the mothers, each mother goes to the table and scoops in a small amount of dirt. Then they take their seats.
During a specific reading or song, the couple will each add the remainder of dirt and water the plant together.
After the ceremony, the couple plants the tree in at their home or a special location to symbolize the putting down of roots, longevity and strengths in their marriage.
Here is an example of some wording the Officiant may say during the planting (all wording can be mixed/matched and tailored to your wishes):
Option 1:
Officiant:
_____ and ___ will now take part in a Tree Planting Ceremony, to symbolize the roots of their relationship, and the continued growth of their love, as they become each others family today.
Love is the essence of human experience and emotion. It is the root of all and everything we, as humans, do. Love enriches our experience, and fills our lives with meaning. It gives us a firm base from which to grow, to learn, and change.
Let your relationship and your love for each other be like this tree you plant today. Let it grow tall and strong. Let it stand tall during the harsh winds and rains and storms, and come through unscathed. Like a tree, your marriage must be resilient. It must weather the challenges of daily life and the passage of time. And just like the tree you are planting, marriage requires constant nurturing and nourishment.
After the ceremony, the couple plants the tree in at their home or a special location to symbolize the putting down of roots, longevity and strength in their marriage.
Tree Planting at one of my weddings at Lake Como Jersey Shore
Option 2:
Officiant:
_____and ___ will now take part in a Unity Tree Planting Ceremony, to symbolize the roots of their relationship, and the continued growth of their love, as they become each others family today.
_____and ___, today you stand before us ready to share the rest of your lives together as a married couple. But long before today your parents provided you with a foundation of love and caring which has brought you to this point. We will start by adding dirt from Brides childhood home and dirt from Groom’s childhood home. This dirt symbolizes their individual families, it has been through their years of love and support, that have helped shaped who Bride and groom are today,... a man and a woman who are ready to be committed, in a loving marriage of their own… (Bride and groom add dirt from childhood home-or perhaps the mother will add it-whatever you want)
Love is the essence of human experience and emotion. It is the root of all and everything we, as humans, do. Love enriches our experience, and fills our lives with meaning. It gives us a firm base from which to grow, to learn, and change.
I would like to share a reading with you from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis DeBernieres
Love is a temporary madness,
it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable
that you should ever part. Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathless, it is not excitement,
It is not the promulgation of eternal passion.
That is just being "in love" which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away,
and that is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the
pretty blossoms have fallen from the branches, they find that they are one tree and not
two.
_____and ___, would you please plant the sapling.
Let your relationship and your love for each other be like this tree you plant today. Let it grow tall and strong. Let it stand tall during the harsh winds and rains and storms, and come through unscathed. Like a tree, your marriage must be resilient. It must weather the challenges of daily life and the passage of time. And just like the tree you are planting, marriage requires constant nurturing and nourishment.
_____and ___ would you please water the sapling.
Remember to nourish each other, with words of encouragement, trust, and love.
This is needed on a daily basis so you each can grow and reach your fullest potential - just like this tree.
Officiant:
_____and ___ will now take part in a Unity Tree Planting Ceremony, to symbolize the roots of their relationship, and the continued growth of their love, as they become each others family today.
_____and ___, today you stand before us ready to share the rest of your lives together as a married couple. But long before today your parents provided you with a foundation of love and caring which has brought you to this point. We will start by adding dirt from Brides childhood home and dirt from Groom’s childhood home. This dirt symbolizes their individual families, it has been through their years of love and support, that have helped shaped who Bride and groom are today,... a man and a woman who are ready to be committed, in a loving marriage of their own… (Bride and groom add dirt from childhood home-or perhaps the mother will add it-whatever you want)
Love is the essence of human experience and emotion. It is the root of all and everything we, as humans, do. Love enriches our experience, and fills our lives with meaning. It gives us a firm base from which to grow, to learn, and change.
I would like to share a reading with you from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis DeBernieres
Love is a temporary madness,
it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable
that you should ever part. Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathless, it is not excitement,
It is not the promulgation of eternal passion.
That is just being "in love" which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away,
and that is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the
pretty blossoms have fallen from the branches, they find that they are one tree and not
two.
_____and ___, would you please plant the sapling.
Let your relationship and your love for each other be like this tree you plant today. Let it grow tall and strong. Let it stand tall during the harsh winds and rains and storms, and come through unscathed. Like a tree, your marriage must be resilient. It must weather the challenges of daily life and the passage of time. And just like the tree you are planting, marriage requires constant nurturing and nourishment.
_____and ___ would you please water the sapling.
Remember to nourish each other, with words of encouragement, trust, and love.
This is needed on a daily basis so you each can grow and reach your fullest potential - just like this tree.
Option 3
Officiant:
_____ and ___ will now take part in a Unity Tree Planting Ceremony, to symbolize the roots of their relationship, and the continued growth of their love, as they become each others family today.
Love is the essence of human experience and emotion. It is the root of all and everything we, as humans, do. Love enriches our experience, and fills our lives with meaning. It gives us a firm base from which to grow, to learn, and change.
_____ and ___ together plant your tree
As they plant their tree the Officiant will read:
Tree of Love By Sandra E. McBride
From the seed of this day let their love grow as the tree grows.
Reaching down, to build strong roots,
Reaching out to provide comfort and sustenance
Reaching up, to seek the grace of God
Let their love grow as the tree grows
Deeper , wider, stronger with each passing year.
Officiant:
_____ and ___ will now take part in a Unity Tree Planting Ceremony, to symbolize the roots of their relationship, and the continued growth of their love, as they become each others family today.
Love is the essence of human experience and emotion. It is the root of all and everything we, as humans, do. Love enriches our experience, and fills our lives with meaning. It gives us a firm base from which to grow, to learn, and change.
_____ and ___ together plant your tree
As they plant their tree the Officiant will read:
Tree of Love By Sandra E. McBride
From the seed of this day let their love grow as the tree grows.
Reaching down, to build strong roots,
Reaching out to provide comfort and sustenance
Reaching up, to seek the grace of God
Let their love grow as the tree grows
Deeper , wider, stronger with each passing year.
Option 4:
On behalf of _____ and ___, I would like to thank each one of you for sharing this happiest of days with them. As French writer Marcel Proust said, "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."
You are the people who make the souls of _____ and ___ blossom. They are grateful for you for your support and participation today.
Now _____ and ___ are going to plant a Live Oak sapling from the backyard of ____'s family to symbolically represent the growth of their love.
The planting, strengthening and growth of a tree provides us with an excellent illustration for drawing comparisons to a flourishing marriage. Just as the roots keep the tree firmly grounded, love and patience will build a strong foundation for ___ and _____'s marriage as it becomes renewed and empowered through the ever-changing seasons that lay ahead.
Option 5:
Officiant:
As an illustration of their bond of unity, _____ and ___ will take part in a symbolic tree planting unifying ritual.
(Bride and Groom begin adding the soil to the potted sapling and after the soil is put in they use the watering can to water the newly potted sapling.)
Let us read from the book of 1st Chronicles chapter 16, verses 33-34; Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Amen.
The marriage of _____ and ___ shall be like the trees of the forest; firmly rooted while reaching towards the light… skyward to the heavens, whispering to God their praises of gratitude for the gift of divine love and grace. Together their bond stands firm, yet bends and yields to gusts and gales in order to keep from breaking as their love endures all things. The roots grow deeper and the tree grows stronger; so shall it be with their love.
Officiant:
As an illustration of their bond of unity, _____ and ___ will take part in a symbolic tree planting unifying ritual.
(Bride and Groom begin adding the soil to the potted sapling and after the soil is put in they use the watering can to water the newly potted sapling.)
Let us read from the book of 1st Chronicles chapter 16, verses 33-34; Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Amen.
The marriage of _____ and ___ shall be like the trees of the forest; firmly rooted while reaching towards the light… skyward to the heavens, whispering to God their praises of gratitude for the gift of divine love and grace. Together their bond stands firm, yet bends and yields to gusts and gales in order to keep from breaking as their love endures all things. The roots grow deeper and the tree grows stronger; so shall it be with their love.
****************************************
Substitute any of the above readings with this beautiful reading:
“Thoughts in a Garden” (by R. Gerhardt)
Your home is special place a place where you have brought beautiful flowers and plants to establish them, to nurture and care for them, that they may forever surround you with the beauty we now see. And into this place where we stand, you have brought something else beautiful -- the relationship that is becoming your marriage. Here you are declaring it and pledging it, promising to establish and nurture it. We are aware of the special beauty between the two of you, just as we are aware of the special beauty of this place. We are with you now in this appropriate place to celebrate your relationship as it is and as it is yet to be, and in doing so, we ask only that you remember how your life together will have the same seasons and needs as your gardens. There will be growth like spring and loss like fall; there will be giving as the blossoming flower, and rest as the seed beneath the snow. All the seasons will be yours, but remember, too, that gardens are not must happenings. The more wonderful the garden, the more skilled the gardener. So, you will have to care deeply for your new tree and for the life that is now yours together. Nurture it. Appreciate your differences and cultivate them. You will have to take care of yourself, if for no other reason than out of love for the other. And you will need the support of family and friends to reach full growth. As you caringly chose to plant this tree as a declaration of your marriage, so remember its lessons for your life together through
Note: If ceremony is not taking place at your home, wording can be tailored to fit your ceremony.
Example: I had the pleasure to officiate a ceremony at a beautiful Arboretum and we changed the first sentence to:
“This is a special place, a place where people have brought beautiful living plants, here to establish them….”
Or if we are in a park garden, we can change the first sentence to:
“We are gathered here amid the beauty of nature (God’s creation) surrounded by flowers and trees”
Substitute any of the above readings with this beautiful reading:
“Thoughts in a Garden” (by R. Gerhardt)
Your home is special place a place where you have brought beautiful flowers and plants to establish them, to nurture and care for them, that they may forever surround you with the beauty we now see. And into this place where we stand, you have brought something else beautiful -- the relationship that is becoming your marriage. Here you are declaring it and pledging it, promising to establish and nurture it. We are aware of the special beauty between the two of you, just as we are aware of the special beauty of this place. We are with you now in this appropriate place to celebrate your relationship as it is and as it is yet to be, and in doing so, we ask only that you remember how your life together will have the same seasons and needs as your gardens. There will be growth like spring and loss like fall; there will be giving as the blossoming flower, and rest as the seed beneath the snow. All the seasons will be yours, but remember, too, that gardens are not must happenings. The more wonderful the garden, the more skilled the gardener. So, you will have to care deeply for your new tree and for the life that is now yours together. Nurture it. Appreciate your differences and cultivate them. You will have to take care of yourself, if for no other reason than out of love for the other. And you will need the support of family and friends to reach full growth. As you caringly chose to plant this tree as a declaration of your marriage, so remember its lessons for your life together through
Note: If ceremony is not taking place at your home, wording can be tailored to fit your ceremony.
Example: I had the pleasure to officiate a ceremony at a beautiful Arboretum and we changed the first sentence to:
“This is a special place, a place where people have brought beautiful living plants, here to establish them….”
Or if we are in a park garden, we can change the first sentence to:
“We are gathered here amid the beauty of nature (God’s creation) surrounded by flowers and trees”
For more wording examples you will enjoy reading fellow Officiant, writer and artist, Avary's "Dearly Beloved Blog"
