There are several unification ceremonies that can be done at a wedding. They most often take place directly after the exchange of vows. Unification ceremonies are not only a symbol of togetherness, they're also flexible elements of a wedding. These ceremonies can be "opened up" to include important family members, such as the bridal couple's parents. Children from previous marriages can play a part, as can the guest in a smaller wedding. Candle and rose ceremonies are common choices for adapting in this way. These ceremonies may be especially important in non-religious weddings, which may end too quickly otherwise! Below please find several options to incorporate into your ceremony:

Rose Ceremony

In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride and Groom give each other a Rose. Two roses are all that is necessary. The Rose Ceremony is placed at the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced husband and wife. In the old language of flowers, a single red rose always meant "I love you". The Rose ceremony gives recognition to the new and most
honorable title of "Husband and Wife".

Unity Candle Ceremony

A Unity Candle Ceremony can be included in your ceremony. It is usually followed after the Exchange of Rings. Usually the mothers light the tapers before taking their seats, however you can have children or other family members take part by lighting the tapers. A Unity Candle set consists of two tapers and a candle in the middle.  The two tapers represent your individual families and your individual lives before today. The bride takes a single taper and the groom takes a single taper and lights the center candle, then extinguish their individual candles. This represents the closing of the chapters in their past life (Known as the “Book of Life”.) and the beginning of new chapters as you begin to write a new book as husband and wife! In another version, the tapers are left burning, representing that even though you have started a new life, each of you still maintains those characteristics that makes you individually unique.  If you are creating a new family and you do include children in the lighting of the Unity Candle, the bride and groom can light the tapers for the children and then everyone can light the center candle together. This is a good way to involve children from a previous marriage.
There are so many ways the lighting of a Unity Candle can work.

Wine Ceremony

The years of life are as a cup of wine poured out for you to drink. This “Cup of Life” contains within it a wine with certain properties that are sweet and symbolic of happiness, joy, hope, peace, love and delight. This same wine also holds some bitter properties that are symbolic of disappointment, sorrow, grief, despair, and life’s trials and tribulations.  Together the sweet and the bitter represent “Life’s Journey” and all of the experiences that are a natural part of it. Those who drink deeply from the “Cup of Life” with an open heart and willing spirit, invite the full range of challenges and
experiences into their being.

Knot Ceremony

In the knot ceremony, the mothers of the bridal couple are given a cord, which the officiant later asks them to give to the bridal couple. The couple ties a lover's knot, which they may save to look back on later.

Sand Ceremony

If for whatever reason you choose not to use a Unity Candle during your ceremony, the sand ceremony can be a beautiful and meaningful addition to your vows. Simply find three containers, one for the bride and groom to pour the sand into, two for each of you to pour the sand from. You can find colored or plain sand at most craft stores. After the
officiant reads, pour the two containers of sand into the third container simultaneously. You may wish to leave a small amount of sand in each container to symbolize that although you are now joined as one, you each remain individuals.

Stone Ceremony

One newly-combined family with five children (plus parents, of course) chose bud vases holding seven different colors of stones. At the same moment, everyone poured his or her vase of stones into a large Art Deco-style vase chosen by the parents. Each family member's color joins everyone else's color, and yet each keeps its individuality as well! I then used my hand to mix all the colors together, and to place a stick of curly bamboo (symbol of joy and long life) into the rainbow of stones.

Hands of the Bride and Groom Ceremony

Bride and Groom hold their hands out as the officiant read how your hands are going to be there for each other.

The Wishing Stones

When a wedding is outside and near water, Wishing stones are either gathered at the site or provided by the couple not only for themselves but for the wedding party and guests as well. After the ceremony all follow the bride and groom's recessional to the water, make a wish or blessing for them and cast their stone into the water. The ripples that
are made represent the love and good wishes for not only the couple, but for all the world... as our ripples cross and re-cross one another's, so do our love and good wishes touch and retouch all around us and those with whom we come into contact.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUDING CHILDREN

The Family Medallion or The Family Ring Ceremony

Studies have shown that children accept a parent's remarriage more easily when they feel included in the wedding plans and are given a special symbol of being embraced by a new family. So as an alternative to including children in the Unity Candle Ceremony, by giving the Family Medallion, ring or other piece of jewelry as a gift to a child during the wedding service, it provides a message of love and affirmation. When used during the wedding, the Family Medallion is given to each child after the couple is pronounced husband and wife. Couples may choose to present Family Medallion pendants, rings, lapel pins or other jewelry during the wedding service or as a special gift. This presentation is appropriate for children of all ages, even adult children. Children often attach the same emotional importance to their Family Medallion as the bride and groom place on their wedding rings.
The Family Medallion symbol includes three equally merged circles. Two circles represent the marriage union while the third symbolizes the importance of children within the family.