Pkinism.

Ceremony Procedure

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To begin the processional, each set of parents and grandparents of the marrying couple gathers behind the tarp tunnels depicted above, according to which member of the marrying couple they're related to, while the marrying couple themselves reside inside the tarp tunnels in the very back. In the order decided by the marrying couple themselves, each one then exits the tunnel through a door in the side facing away from the guests one at a time and links arms with their parents, walking toward the double doors behind the bed of the aisle. When the doors open, they escort their parents down the aisle, all the way to their reserved seats at the front. Then they walk around the seating area all the way back to their respective tunnel while their partner prepares to do their own parental escort. This process is then repeated for each set of grandparents, with each partner taking turns escorting them to their seats.

 

Once the parents and grandparents are all seated, each of the attendants on either side of the bed emerge from the tarp tunnels (carrying or wearing as a necklace - depending on the medium - the Archetypes they represent) to meet their respective aisle partners in the middle, before linking arms and walking up the trunk together. Once reaching the end of the aisle, the two separate and go to their respective positions (indicated by the numbers), continuing to hold or wear the physical Archetypes for the duration of the ceremony. Once all of the attendants have finished their parts, the marrying couple then also emerges from the tunnels, meets each other in the middle of the bed and walks up the trunk with arms linked - following through together all the way to the knot of the bowtie, where the officiant stands. This is where the opening statements about the matrimonial joining of the couple by the officiant are made.

 

Then, the Areas of Growth portion of the ceremony - which uses sacred objects to symbolize different aspects of personal and relational health/commitment - begins (it should be noted that each AoG also represents the three central groups of Archetypes - Vulnerability, Productivity, and Spirituality):

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Closest to the witnesses on the far right resides a tub of water, representing the ocean and the importance of honoring one’s emotions (vulnerability); a blue ribbon hangs beside the tub. After the officiant makes their opening statements, the couple walks over to the tub and wades their arms through it, symbolizing their willingness to honor the depth of and hold space for each other’s emotions. If they wish, they can also place crystals that represent emotional healing (or emotions in any capacity) into the tub. After wading their arms through and drying off, the couple collects the blue ribbon before moving on.

 

Standing parallel to the tub of water, on the far left, is a table with a single glass of wine (and, if desired, red foods that promote heart health) - representing the vital life force of blood and the work that goes into keeping oneself and one’s relationship grounded, strong and healthy (productivity). A red ribbon also rests on this table. After the water tub portion of the ceremony, the couple will then walk over to the table and each take a sip from the glass, symbolizing their commitment to put in the work it takes to keep themselves and the relationship healthy/functional. If one or both individuals do not drink, they may substitute the wine for a non-alcoholic beverage. Following the wine sipping, the couple takes the red ribbon before departing from the table.

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And last but certainly not least - sitting at the very back, behind the officiant in the middle (and elevated a bit), is a small table with a set of unity candles, representing the sun and the spiritual growth/integration obtained from Source Energy (spirituality). A yellow ribbon hangs a moderate distance behind this table*. After drinking from the glass, the couple then walks to the back to light the smaller candles separately (the variant here being two for each individual instead of one, to symbolize the four Archetypes in the Spirituality Quartet) before lighting the middle one together, symbolizing the recognition of themselves in one another and the commitment to growing together. Directly following this, the couple then officially signs the marriage certificate before gathering up the yellow ribbon.

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To close the ceremony, the couple walks back to the knot after lighting the candles - where they exchange rings and say “I do” while the officiant French-braids the ribbons together. The officiant then ties their wrists together with the now-braided ribbons and announces them as legal spouses, before they seal it with a kiss!

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And finally, after all of this, the couple walks back down the trunk together and past the bed to the reception - the attendants following suit with new aisle partners.

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Aisle Partner Arrangements and Order

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