There are many ways of adding elements to your wedding ceremony, to make it personal to you. When you have a Celebrant led ceremony, you have a lot more scope for for adding, personal and personalised extra touches. Some of the special elements focus solely on the couple; others include parents, elders, children or other guests.
Tea ceremonies originate in China and the Far East and are still fairly rare in Western weddings. There are plenty of references to the tea ceremony online and it can take many forms. What each of the variations have in common is, that it is symbolic of the couple showing respect to their elders. It is also a lovely way for the guests to wish good luck to the couple and express their hopes for the future - similar to ring blessing, or promise ribbon, in many ways.
It is quite simple to incorporate a tea ceremony into a Western wedding. The tea is served to the parents, or elders, by the bride and groom (or the two brides or two grooms, of course). It's only symbolic so use decorative small cups, not giant mugs!
To keep some of the Chinese symbolism, it is a good idea to have red cups (or at least include something red) this is for good luck.
The tea should be sweet - for a sweet life.
It should be poured by a female guest who has had children (not one of the mothers or a bride) who is respected and seen to have had a happy marriage - this is for fertility and happiness.
The couple then pass the tea cups to their parents, or close elder family members. They serve two cups to each other's family.
I had the privilege of leading the wedding ceremony for this lovely couple. The bride was born in Malaysia and the groom was originally from Greater Manchester. They met in Melbourne, Australia, where they now live, but the two families celebrated in the magnificent Lowry Hotel, Manchester - it was a surprise for the parents of the groom!
At the end of the wedding ceremony, they held a tea ceremony. The tea set was brought, from Malaysia, by the bride's mum. She had been given it as a gift over fifty years ago and it had deep significance within the family.
It was very beautiful and emotional to watch (I had tears in my eyes!) it was almost like an elegantly choreographed dance.
After the bride and groom had served tea to their parents the groom's young nieces served the final two cups to to the happy couple - and afterwards the girls were delighted to receive a red envelope with a special gift!
Hi, I am Lorraine Hull, an award-winning Celebrant, based in Liverpool.
I am most usually asked to conduct ceremonies in North-West England and North Wales but I am happy to travel anywhere within the U.K. or abroad.
At the risk of shouting (and sounding extremely cheesy) "I LOVE MY JOB!".
I really love getting to know the couples and families that ask me to be part of their special celebration, whether that is for a Wedding/Civil Partnership, Renewal/Reaffirmation of Vows, Naming/Welcoming, or Celebration of Life/Funeral
I love hearing, writing and telling love and life stories (and also finding out about hopes and dreams - which are the stories of the future!)
I love to create and conduct unique, meaningful ceremonies that are perfect for each couple, individual, and/or family.
I love helping to create and celebrate happy and poignant moments, which form memories that will last a lifetime (that also includes the memories that I get to keep too - what's not to love?)
I believe that ALL people (and animals) should all be treated kindly, fairly and with respect.
I think for myself and act for others. I advocate anti-racism, the appreciation and celebration of diversity, dignity, justice, equity and equality for ALL through everything that I say and do: Love is Love, Family is Family, Life is Life.
You may like to know that I was trained to the highest level as a Celebrant and have continued my professional development. I hold Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance. I adhere to a strict code of conduct and I am committed to identifying, developing and sharing best practice with my Celebrant colleagues, so that we can all be the best Celebrants that we can possibly be.
To contact me please email: lorraine@liverpoolcelebrant.co.uk or call: 0744 932 3988