The cord of three strands ceremony is a great addition to a wedding ceremony. It adds a truly unique element to your ceremony that all your friends and family will remember. It can also serve as a substitute for the unity candle or the Blending of the Sands element. This is useful for situations where candles may not be used, or may be difficult to light. The Cord of Three Strands works well as a substitute in outside weddings. The Cord of Three Strands or the Unity Braid Ceremony,
symbolizes the joining of one man, one woman, and God or through Love (for non-religious couples), into a marriage relationship. It adds a truly unique element to your ceremony that friends and family will remember for years to come because it is different. Couples with strong spiritual beliefs may want to add this short ceremony toward the end of their wedding ceremony. Keeping God at the center of your wedding will also help you keep God at the center of your marriage. Every time you think back on your wedding ceremony it will remind you of how God is intimately involved in your marriage. The Cord of Three Strands is a symbol of that sacred union created on your wedding day. Marriage takes three; you, your soon to be spouse, and God or Love. It was God who taught us to love. By keeping Him at the center of your marriage, His love will continue to bind you together as one throughout your marriage. Toward the end of the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom braid the Cord of Three Strands together while the minister explains the wedding tradition. The ring of the cords can be held by either the minister, the groom, the children of the couple or the parents of the couple. The groom or someone else holds a small metal ring with three attached strands of cord while the bride braids the cords. This braiding symbolizing the union of God, husband and wife.
The colors of the cords is significant.
The Gold Cord represents God or Love
The Purple Cord represents The Groom
The White Cord represents The Bride
After the braid is completed, the officiant can use the braid to bond the couple together.
This can be done by loosely tying their hands together or draping the braid over their shoulders.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 reads,
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
RSS Feed
