As unity rituals go, the tree planting ritual is a particularly perfect pick for a green-fingered couple. Not only, this but you get a living and long-lasting heirloom to cherish from your wedding day. There are so many sweet and symbolic wedding ceremony rituals it can be hard to choose the right one (or two!) for you.

There's the hand-fasting ritual, the jump the broom ritual, the wine box ritual and here, we're diving into the tree planting ritual. Hopefully this post will help you figure out if logistically and symbolically, it's what you'd like to do.

Image by Sarah Kate Photography via One Fab Day

What is Tree Planting Ritual?

The tree-planting ritual is a wedding tradition that dates back to ancient times, and has its roots in many cultures. As a unity ritual, the tree you plant is meant to symbolise how your life will take root from the day you are married and your love will continue to grow and flourish throughout the years. Trees are strong but flexible, and well able to weather any storm, but they also need to be tended to and nourished to stay this way, so this ritual is a great reminder of that. You can of course use any kind of plant for the ceremony.

Why You Should Have a Tree Planting Ceremony

• The tree planting ritual isn't linked to a particular religion, so it's great for a secular or multicultural wedding ceremony.
• It's very eco-conscious, as it's something you'll keep forever.
• If you like gardening this is a way to bring in your individual interests to your ceremony.
• You can choose a plant or tree with a special significance, or even take a cutting or sapling from the garden of someone or somewhere special to you.
• You can use soil from a place that you love like your family garden.
• This is a lovely ritual for anyone with children as it's lots of fun, and perfect for a couple who is blending their two families.

How to do a Tree Planting Ritual

If you're doing an at-home wedding, you can of course plant a tree in the garden. However, for an indoor or outdoor ceremony at a venue, you'll need a large potted plant that you can lift and move around easily.

You will need:

• A small table
• The tree (shrub/flower/ house plant)
• An empty pot
• Soil, ideally collected from a place that holds meaning for you, like your family home
• A tool, such as a trowel
• Alternatively you can put the soil in two containers
• A watering can filled with water
• Wipes to clean your hands afterwards

The Steps:

1. Your celebrant will say a few words about the significance of the ritual and the particular plant you have chosen.
2. You will be invited to place the tree in the new pot and add the additional soil. (Make sure someone loosens it first so it comes out easily)
3. Special music can be played or a reading done (we love A Garden - check it out!).
4. You can invite your family or guests to participate by adding soil too.
5. Then you will both use the watering can to water the plant.

And finally... Show it off at your reception afterwards if you wish, along with some gorgeous photos of you both together.

Want to learn about more wedding traditions?  Take a look at our Ultimate List of Wedding Ceremony Rituals.