Yesterday Mike and I sent an email to several friends and family asking them to participate in an important part of our wedding ceremony. Awhile ago I was looking for a symbolic gesture that would, well, symbolize our unity. Like the unity candle. Only I don’t really like the unity candle or the mixing of the sands because it’s just two people. And even though we are definitely the primary players in this marriage, it’s also the merging of two families and networks of people. We wanted to somehow symbolize that.
So eventually I stumbled upon the quilt ceremony (sorry, I can no longer remember where I first saw this). Here’s how we explained it in the email:
We read about something called a quilt ceremony, in which the couple is wrapped in a quilt made from fabric from all their loved ones. This seemed like a perfect addition to our wedding ceremony for a couple reasons:
1) We want to symbolize more than the joining of two individuals, but the joining of two extended families and networks of people.
2) I (Shannon) am so crafty anyway!
Here is the plan:
- We will collect pieces of fabric from all the special people in our lives.
- We will keep track of from where and whom each piece comes.
- Shannon will make a quilt from this fabric.
- At the ceremony, the quilt will be used to symbolize the merging of our lives, families and friends.
- At the reception, the quilt will be displayed.
- We will have the quilt as a keepsake forever… 
Then we asked everyone to send us a piece of fabric to add to the quilt. And we’d like to ask you to do the same. You all mean a lot to us, too, since this blog has been such a fun part of our wedding planning, and you guys always offer great ideas and encouragement.
So, if you’d like to contribute a piece of fabric to our Unity Quilt (I just made that up, I really have no idea if these things have a name), leave a comment with your email address or send us an email (shanmikeblog [at] gmail [dot] com), and we’ll get you the info you need.
Thanks, you guys are the awesomest!
shanandmike
Shannon
Mike
I’m in. Email me!
What a sweet idea … I like it.
At my cousins marriage she didn’t want the traditional signature book. So did up like a scrapbook using their photos from birth along with other important items (like concert tickets). Each guest signed the book on the page they liked the best. Now it sits out in the open for all visitors to see. It’s terrific.
I want in! Send me info.
I love this idea! My friend’s mother made her a quilt for her wedding. She cut up scraps of fabric and had everyone at her showers (there were multiple) write a message on each piece.
I would definitely love to participate!
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