I so love the work I do as a Wedding Officiant and Celebrant.   I am always learning and co-creating with my couples personalized and meaningful elements for their ceremonies.  A few years back I was fortunate to work with a couple who loved French history.  They wanted to include an old tradition which they referred to as a "French Ribbon Cutting" ceremony.  This ritual was new for me and with little information available about it we spent a great deal of time speaking about what they wished to accomplish...the feel, involvement of their community, and the significance of incorporating this in their wedding ceremony.    It was indeed a hit!

For me, it drove home the importance of really delving into the "why's" and "hows" for any ritual that is to be included into a wedding ceremony...including the rings!

Depending upon where, how and when you incorporate a ritual into your ceremony, also will help you to discern how to describe it within the context of the total ceremony. In general, with this particular ritual, the ribbons represent "obstacles" that exist in one's life.  The cutting away is symbolic of the capacity to either meet life's challenges together as a couple and/or cut away any obstacles that existed prior to coming together in a life partnership.

Over the past several years I have incorporated this ritual for other couples.  Greg & Aurelio (above) loved the thought of their community holding these ribbons as they began their life together as a married couple. They alternated who cut each ribbon and used this ritual during their recessional.   

While many people may see the same "ritual" in wedding ceremonies...what makes them special is the significance they have for you as individuals and as a couple.   If you love a specific ritual, I encourage you to "make-it-your own" in the words used to describe it's significance, in how members of the community or the entire community might be involved, and where in the ceremony flow it is incorporated.  Most importantly....have fun!