We got a lot of great feedback about our wedding day, but one little detail of our ceremony that got quite a few really positive reactions was the wine and love letter box ritual. This was one ritual I had never heard of before our officiant mentioned it. However, as soon as she explained it to Michael and I, we were sold.
Here’s how it works: Prior to the wedding, you gather a strong wooden wine box, a bottle of wine and two glasses. Then, also before the ceremony, you both sit down separately and write love notes to each other, explaining your feelings on the eve of your wedding day. Each letter then gets sealed in its own envelope. You do not read your beau’s letter.
Then, at some point during the ceremony, your officiant explains the process, and the two of you seal the box by taking turns hammering in one nail at a time (what other excuse do you have to use a hammer during your wedding?!) until the box is closed.
You don’t open the box until your 10th anniversary (or really whatever anniversary you choose), UNLESS you hit a rough patch in your marriage before then. Either way, on the day that you open the box, you both read the letters and drink the wine, remembering how you both felt just days before your wedding day.
Cute, right? Our wine box currently makes a great mantel decoration. Not to mention, it’ll help Michael remember our anniversary ;)
Updated 8/27/11: I actually just discovered Wants and Wishes actually sells an entire Love Letter Ceremony Box Set, so be sure to check it out if you don’t want to create your own :)
[Photos by Jennie Andrews Photography]
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I LOVE this!! Where did you have the box made? :)
I actually got the box on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Double-Wood-Wine-Box-Gift-Crate-Wood-Front-Glasses-Slot-/370334157386?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5639a2ca4a) and the decal from Ten23 Designs (http://www.ten23designs.com)
Don’t forget to seal the letters in a plastic baggy. :) It’ll keep the letters safe from the wine (if the bottle were to break) and keep the letters protected from years in the box.
Very good advice! Since Michael’s the one that put the final box together, though, I can’t guarantee my letters are sealed in plastic :-P Guess we’ll find out in 10 years.
Awesome idea! Retweeting this post :)
Thanks, Brandy!
Love this! I looked on ten23′s website, but it doesn’t look like they have decals small enough for the wine box?
Amanda,
Send them a message…it’s a custom size :) Just say that it’s for a wine box and they’ll know.
I LOVE this!!! I am posting a link from my blog.
Yay! Thanks, Lauren :) Couldn’t have done it without your amazing decal!
This is such a fun idea!!! Definitely something we are going to consider for our wedding. Thank you for sharing Nicole!!
No problem! Def a really cool wedding ritual :) I was so excited when our officiant told us about it!
Absolutely IN LOVE with this idea, but I am really having a hard time trying to figure out the best place in our ceremony to add this in! What are some suggestions you have? :)
We actually put it right after the vows and before the charge/pronouncement. Your officiant should be able to help you fit it in :)
Did you guys decorate the hammer? We are doing the same ceremony for our wedding in sept and have been looking for something similar to what you had. I didnt want to use a plain hammer so we considered decorating one
Yup! One of my bridesmaids hot glued ribbon around the handle for me…made it look much more fit for wedding decor ;)
This is silly and ridiculous. It trivializes the wedding ceremony.
And lucky you – YOU don’t have to do this at YOUR wedding! :)
I think it’s a great idea. Whether it’s opened during a “rough patch”, or opened up ten years later… it’s a fun thing to do, together.
The key reason why I stick with this blog is simply because I do think you really do normally
give you a slightly different slant on points to a lot of alternative internet sites so high five from
me: )
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