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By Jane Turpin MooreThe Globe

WORTHINGTON — This spring, three young men raised the bar for marriage proposals, delighting the women of their dreams and gener-ating memories guaranteed to last a lifetime with their respective mates.

The happy recipients of their thoughtfulness and creative planning are three 20-something women, all natives of Worthington, who contin-ue to glow in the wake of the romantic moments their boyfriends went to great lengths to engineer.

Here’s how everything unfolded for brides-to-be Kaitlin Gerber, Mariah Haffield and Sarah Janssen.

May 11, Cancun, Mexico: Kaitlin Gerber/Jared Goforth

Kaitlin Gerber, a 2010 Worthington High School (WHS) graduate, is a hard-working physician’s assistant at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Albert Lea.

She was eagerly anticipating a six-day, five-night getaway to Cancun, Mexico, with Jared Goforth, her boyfriend of three years, and six friends (three married couples).

“We arrived that Friday, and I knew the travel agents had arranged a special dinner at 8 p.m. for us at a restaurant with French cuisine,” Gerber related.

Prior to the dinner, the group gathered for a drink.

“Jared’s very best friend offered a toast to our safe travels and friendship, and while the glasses were still clinking, Jared said, ‘Kaitlin, I have a

question for you.’“He got down on one knee and asked me the

question; it was perfect,” she related.Needless to say, Gerber and Goforth floated

through dinner, but that wasn’t the extent of it.“Jared had hired a photographer to take pictures

of us at sunrise the following morning,” Gerber continued. “He quite outdid himself, with sunrise on the beach.”

Although the engagement didn’t occur quite the way Gerber had imagined it might, she couldn’t have been happier.

“I always said I didn’t want to get engaged out of the country because I envisioned our families surrounding us, something small and quaint, not a tropical vacation with a professional photog-rapher and champagne, but it turned out great,” Gerber affirmed.

“We ended up having four days to celebrate, relax and be together, and we were able to Face time with our parents and siblings; we were on Cloud Nine.”

Gerber, a standout runner and basketball play-er during her WHS days, continued her athletic career at Morningside College, from which she graduated in 2013 with majors in biology and chemistry. She proceeded to earn her P.A. degree at Union College in 2016.

Although she and Goforth met while at Morn-ingside, she said they have a running joke that he “hardly noticed me” during that time.

“I was so preoccupied with my pre-med stud-ies,” she said, laughing.

But it was their mutual athletic involvement — her collegiate running and his football partic-

ipation — that fostered their awareness of each other.

“I’d be running around the track while he was in football practice on the field,” she said. “Then, at graduation, we were seated next to each other alphabetically.”

Although Goforth initially took a job in Houston, Texas, and Gerber was in Nebraska, he couldn’t get her out of his mind.

“After he moved, he had a dream about me, and we started talking,” she related.

They officially began dating in February 2015 and now Goforth, a native of Ankeny, Iowa, and the financial coordinator for Ziegler CAT of Bloomington, and Gerber split the difference between their jobs; they currently reside in Owa-tonna.

Gerber, the daughter of Julie and Jay Gerber (her grandparents are Claire and Jo Gerber, and Barb and the late Pat Baumgartner), is now using her

They’re ready to wedThree women say yes to romantic May proposals

READY TO WED: Page 4

Kaitlin Gerber and Jared Goforth walk on a Cancun beach the morning after the couple became engaged. (Special to The Globe)

Kaitlin Gerber and Jared Goforth are shown in Cancun. (Special to The Globe)

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READY TO WED: From Page 3

spare time to train for this fall’s Twin Cities Marathon and plan her August 2019 wedding in Worthington.

“It’s worked out so perfectly,” she said of her engagement to Goforth. “We are very grateful for how God brought us together.”

May 12, St. Paul: Sarah Janssen/Joe Miller

It took no time at all for Sarah Janssen and Joe Miller to know they had each found “the one.”

“We met in the Twin Cities in late September 2017 and officially started dating on Oct. 12,” said Janssen, a 2014 WHS graduate.

“We really clicked and were pretty serious from the get-go.”

Janssen earned a bachelor’s degree from The Art Institutes International — Minnesota in May 2017; she currently works as an interior designer for an architectural firm in downtown Minneap-olis.

Miller, meanwhile, holds a degree in economics from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and the White Bear Lake native is a licensed brokerage operations professional with Thrivent in Minne-apolis.

“We were both kind of crazy for each other right from the start,” agreed Miller. “It was very early on when I knew that we were meant to be.”

With a knack for knowing his sweetie’s prefer-ences, Miller secretly laid plans for a memorable outing that would end with Janssen as his fiancée.

“It was a very eventful day,” smiled Janssen. “It started out with us going to Caribou Coffee; being a former barista, I love coffee.”

The couple then visited the Minnesota Zoo, where Miller, an avid bass fisherman, relished the Minnesota Wildlife exhibit and Janssen adored the penguins.

Following a meal at Annie’s Parlor in Dinkytown (“He was trying to kill time; he wanted to propose at sunset,” revealed Janssen), the pair picked up Miller’s boat and headed for the Mississippi.

“He launched the boat, and the downtown St. Paul skyline was in the background,” said Janssen. “Joe maneuvered the boat to the same spot where he had asked me to be his girlfriend on Oct. 12 — only now it was May 12.”

Miller asked Janssen if she would get some things out of the boat’s front compartment for him, and she complied.

“When I opened it, he had filled it all with flow-ers and pictures of us, and added motion lights so that when I opened it, everything lit up,” she related.

“I turned around and he was on one knee,” Janssen continued. “He had a speech written out, explaining his feelings for me, and then he asked me if I would marry him.

“I was crying, and I said yes.”Miller then suggested they return to the boat

launch — and there, waiting to take their picture, was Janssen’s older sister Nicole, who had driv-en from Omaha, Neb., at Miller’s behest for the occasion.

“Sunday was Mother’s Day so I called my mom and we went to church,” Janssen said. “But Joe said, ‘there’s one more surprise.’”

After visiting the Como Park Conservatory, Miller, Janssen and Nicole went to brunch, only to find the rest of Janssen’s family (parents Mel and Jane Janssen and younger brother Kyle), ready to congratulate the couple.

“It was an extremely eventful weekend,” said Janssen. “He put in so much thought to every-thing, and I was so surprised.

“I knew a proposal might be coming, but I didn’t know exactly when or how, so this really blew me away.”

As for Miller, he is literally counting the minutes until the couple’s October 2019 wedding, which will take place in Minneapolis.

“Right now, Sarah lives in New Brighton and I live in Coon Rapids,” he said. “We’re exactly 19 minutes apart.”

These happy young people adorably gush with praise for each other.

“Sarah is a blessing in my life; she’s absolutely amazing, and I couldn’t ask for anyone better,” said Miller.

Assured Janssen, after noting the outdoorsman Miller loves the Crystaleyes jigs her parents have gifted him, “He’s the catch of a lifetime.”

May 14, New York City: Mariah Haffield/Cody Nickel

Aspiring lawyers Mariah Haffield and Cody Nickel have busily kept their heads in the books as students at the University of Nebraska College of Law, and to excellent effect.

On track to graduate next spring, the two have plum summer assignments; Haffield is a law clerk at the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, while

READY TO WED: Page 5

Sarah Janssen shows off her engagement ring that Joe Miller gave her during his Mississippi River proposal. (Special to The Globe)

Sarah Janssen and Joe Miller. (Special to The Globe)

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Nickel (who has also secured a post-law school federal clerkship position in the District of Nebras-ka) is a summer associate at Morgan Lewis & Bockius in New York, N.Y.

With Nickel’s summer job beginning earlier in May, the two finished their finals and headed for New York.

“I went out to help him move into his apartment for the summer and spend a little time vacation-ing,” said Haffield, a 2012 WHS graduate and the daughter of Carol and Dwayne Haffield, Worth-ington.

“We were doing all the touristy stuff — Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, seeing two Broadway shows,” she listed.

Having been undergraduates at Minnesota State University, Mankato (Nickel hails from Lonsdale, Minn.), Haffield and Nickel initially met when her sorority and his fraternity were paired for a home-coming celebration.

“We didn’t start dating for three years after that, and we even ran against each other for Min-nesota State Student Association president,” Haf-field mentioned.

“I beat him, which I love to remind him of every so often,” she recalled, laughing.

But three years ago they began dating, and both ended up choosing to attend law school in Lincoln, Neb.

In New York, Haffield and Nickel spent a busy Monday, visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a few other attractions before prepping for a nice dinner preceding their attendance at an 8:30 p.m. “Phantom of the Opera” performance.

“Cody had made a dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant for 5:30 p.m.,” Haffield said. “I’d thought that seemed a little early, but he explained it would take a little while to get our food and travel to the theater.”

Meanwhile, the pair decided to walk around Times Square, which Haffield had always wanted to see.

“It was getting close to 5:30 p.m. and suddenly Cody couldn’t ‘find’ the restaurant,” said Haffield, explaining that was uncharacteristic of him.

“He asked me to check the location on my phone, and said he was going to call the restaurant while I did that.”

Distracted, Haffield paid no attention to Nickel’s call and busily monitored her phone until Nickel touched her arm and said, “Look.”

Haffield followed his gaze, only to see a picture of herself and Nickel on an oversized video bill-board.

“I was confused and asked, ‘Why is our photo up there?’ because I didn’t see the words above it — ‘Mariah, will you marry me?’ right away,” she said.

She turned around and spotted Nickel on one knee, holding a jewelry box with an engagement ring inside.

“He created the restaurant ruse to throw me off kilter, and to make sure we were there right at 5:30 p.m. because he’d rented the billboard for about five minutes,” she explained.

“The call he’d made was to a photographer he’d hired, and Cody wanted to let him know we were almost there.”

Haffield was initially so shocked that she could hardly think straight, but when she grasped the reality of the moment, she responded favorably.

“It was completely unexpected, and the fact that he was able to keep everything from me was also amazing,” related Haffield. “Cody was very happy that he totally surprised me.”

Nickel in fact had a dinner reservation for 6:30 p.m., but Haffield was still so overwhelmed by the drama of the proposal that she can’t recall what she ate.

“And ‘Phantom of the Opera’ is Cody’s favorite musical,” said Haffield. “I’d marched to it for two years in high school marching band, so I was a total fangirl over the musical.”

With a summer’s worth of legal work still ahead, and another year of law school on the horizon, Haffield and Nickel haven’t yet set a wedding date but anticipate that it will occur sometime in the fall of 2019.

“I love to look at the photos and relive the moment,” said Haffield, who is missing her fiancé while he labors in New York. “That helps, with us being apart this summer.

Haffield will treasure Nickel’s proposal forever, and gives her regard to Broadway — and her clev-er betrothed.

Assured Haffield, “It was so fantastic, and it’s the most romantic, sweetest thing I could ever imagine.”

READY TO WED: From Page 4

Cody Nickel proposes to Mariah Haffield in New York City’s Times Square on May 14. (Special to The Globe)

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BrandpointThere’s so much to love about an outdoor wed-

ding. Whether it’s set on the beach, at a winery or even in the backyard of a family member, pledg-ing your eternal commitment to your partner in beautiful natural surroundings makes the day extra memorable.

If you’re thinking of holding the big day in the great outdoors, you’re in good company. Over the past decade, outdoor ceremonies are on the rise: 52 percent of couples tied the knot in an out-door ceremony in 2017, compared to 29 percent in 2009, according to the TheKnot.com’s 2017 Real Weddings Study. Couples are also shying away from churches, hotels and banquet halls as settings for the ceremony receptions and opting instead for less conventional sites, such as rooftop event spaces, historic homes, wineries and parks.

Unlike the traditional venues, an outdoor cere-mony and reception has its own set of consider-ations when it comes to planning. These practical tips will get you started in building the outdoor wedding of your dreams.

Sketch out the itinerary early: Before you sign the contract with your chosen venue, discuss in detail your vision with the coordinator, and before you leave, be perfectly clear on what’s permissible and what’s off-limits. If you’re envisioning danc-ing the night away under the stars, you don’t want to find out three weeks before the big day that the venue has restrictions on equipment and noise. Before you sign any contract, have your itinerary ready and discuss it from start to finish.

Plan your equipment needs: One thing to know about holding a wedding in a less conventional spot is venues can vary wildly on what they can provide for you in terms of supplies and equip-ment. Take time to walk through the entire event so you’re clear on what you may need to supply yourself. Even if a venue lacks essentials like power outlets and bathroom stalls, don’t give up. There are affordable solutions out there to help you upgrade the space to a fully functional venue. Your local rental store, for example, is an essential stop for anyone planning a wedding. In addition to all the wedding gear you could need, from dec-orations to seating, they also have lots of other equipment and ideas to help you plan the perfect outdoor event.

Always have a Plan B: It’s impossible to pre-dict what the weather will bring for an outdoor wedding, which can add uncertainty. But you can reduce the stress by planning for the worst con-ditions. Is hot and humid weather a possibility?

How about a thunderstorm? A deposit on a rented air-conditioned tent and a set of misting fans can be a smart move. You may not end up needing these, but your peace of mind will be worth every penny.

Set up a kids’ station: Many outdoor recep-tion spaces have a built-in advantage for hosting pint-sized guests: There’s more space for them to stretch their legs and be kids without disrupting other guests. Create a kid-friendly corner featur-ing games, activities or even a rented inflatable bounce house that lets kids be active and let off some steam. They’ll be thrilled (and so will their parents).

Encourage exploration: If the big event is held in a public place, help your guests fully appreciate the experience. Does the park have a hiking path that leads to a beautiful waterfall? Have maps printed and leave out a stack for those who decide to take a little break. Are you getting married in a beautiful garden at a historic mansion? Ask the venue if you can take extra brochures to offer the guests, or set aside time for special guided tours. This is a sure way to show consideration for your guests and make the day memorable.

When the pieces fall into place, planning and hosting an outdoor wedding is a beautiful way to begin your lives together. To find a rental store in your area to help you plan the perfect event, visit RentalHQ.com.

Five essential planning tips to make your outdoor wedding perfect

Fifty-two percent of couples tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony in 2017, compared to 29 percent in 2009, according to the TheKnot.com’s 2017 Real Weddings Study. (Brandpoint)

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Planning a wedding is no small task. In order to enjoy the process (and stay sane), it’s important to recognize early on which details can be decided quickly, and which ones deserve more time and care.

When it comes to wedding photos, you can’t go wrong with a little extra time and thought, because there’s no such thing as a do-over. Choosing the right person for the job makes all the difference in getting that collection of photos you’ll treasure forever.

When your special day rolls around, a profes-sional photographer will have the skill and artistry in capturing those beautiful candid moments as well as the more formal portraits. Here are some traits to look for during your search that signal you’re in good hands.

1. A portfolio you love. Your venue may have a list of “preferred professionals” to choose from, but don’t feel obligated to stick with their list. Feel free to explore your options, and browse local guides and websites for the ones that have strong portfo-lios that speak to you. As you look, pay attention to mood, style and facial expressions. Skilled and experienced photographers should have a strong and varied wedding day collection.

2. They help you think through the day. A good listener who takes a genuine interest in your plans — and makes sure you feel elated with their work — is always a good sign. Things like venue, light-ing, time of day, the number of people you want to capture, number of settings and the itinerary

are just a few factors they need to consider to plan and organize the shoot. If you’re not sure about something, ask their opinion. A professional will give you an honest assessment along with lots of suggestions so you enjoy your special day and cap-ture those priceless images.

3. Something just clicks. And it’s not just the shutter. Bad puns aside, keep in mind you’re going to be spending the day with your photographer. In fact, you could very well be spending more time with the photographer than anyone else — even with your beloved. Don’t skip the in-person, face-to-face meeting when planning your special day. You want to be sure this is someone who makes you both feel open and relaxed, so trust your gut feeling.

4. They’re the complete package. A profes-sional will complete the time-consuming (and sometimes overwhelming) task of sorting through hundreds of shots for you and put their skills to work in editing the images. What you should get is a collection of hand-picked images, all perfectly edited, cropped and toned, so they capture the best moments and emotions of the day.

The one bearing the camera has a great respon-sibility: They are recording the first pages of histo-ry for your new family. To make sure you find the one that has the experience and the flair the day calls for, a professional photographer is always the right call. Start your search with the Professional Photographers of America by visiting FindAPho-tographer.com/WeddingPhotos.

Four traits to look for when choosing your wedding photographer

Keep in mind you’re going to be spending the day with your wedding photographer. You want to be sure this is someone who makes you both feel open and relaxed. (Brandpoint)

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Metro Creative GraphicsWeddings can be expensive. Various sources

estimate the average cost of weddings is any-where from $26,000 to $31,000. Couples and their parents may bear the brunt of wedding expenses, but those who have accepted a role in the wedding party also can expect their share of expenses.

Taking into account gifts, wardrobes, makeup, bridal showers, and travel, including getting to and from the bachelor/bachelorette party, brid-al party members are on the hook for a lot of money when their friends or family members tie the knot. Many men and women like to trav-el for their bachelor/bachelorette parties, and cost-conscious bridal party members may be concerned about how expensive such parties can be. Pulling out all the stops can be exciting, but there’s no guarantee these types of parties will be more enjoyable than simpler soires.

Taking steps to control costs can help cost-con-scious couples and their friends. The following are some affordable ideas that can be fun for all involved.

Bar or winery crawl: Partygoers typically want to enjoy a night out on the town, and travel-ing from one establishment to another can be

a fun way to do just that. Everyone invited can set themselves apart with a signature item (hat, T-shirt, or colored clothing), and make the rounds.

Attend a group event: Group events include sporting events, concerts, theater shows, or a night at a comedy club. Investigate discounted tickets for large groups.

Belt out the tunes: Open mic nights at restau-rants, bars and other establishments around town may make for a fun way for friends to share a few laughs together. Participants need not be professional singers to join in on the festivities.

Camp out: Get in touch with nature by enjoying a camping trip, complete with a campfire and a few brews. Spending time in the wilderness can restore focus and let stress melt away.

Poker or game night: Groups can gather around the poker table to test their skills in poker and other card games. With some free-flowing bev-erages and snacks galore, games can get pretty animated.

Dinner party: Hire a chef to visit your house and prepare a meal for guests. Serve a signature cocktail and let the conversation flow.

Bachelor and bachelorette parties can be affordable without sacrificing fun.

Affordable bachelor andbachelorette party ideas

Metro Creative GraphicsImagine reciting vows along the Mediterranean

coast or amid pastel-hued homes and swaying palm trees. For the travel-inclined, destination weddings present the perfect opportunity to meld wedding and honeymoon all into one — with fam-ily and friends around to enjoy the magic.

The Knot Real Weddings Study, the largest sur-vey of its kind, surveys thousands of American brides and grooms to determine the latest wedding trends. In its 2016 report, the Knot revealed 20 percent of weddings that took place that year were destination weddings. Couples are increasingly leaning on entertainment and personalization to create memorable experiences for their guests, and destination weddings are great ways to create those unique experiences.

While planning a wedding inevitably involves some obstacles and even some stress, planning a destination wedding presents a unique set of obstacles. Before couples commit to a destination wedding, it’s important to first consider a few fac-tors to ensure knots get tied without a hitch.

Pick a meaningful location (but one that works for guests, too). Exchanging vows at a favorite hiking spot can give guests an inside view into what makes you tick as a couple, but the location of the ceremony should not come at the expense of

practicality. Choose a locale that speaks to you but will also offer the convenience and amenities that work for the guests who will be traveling.

See the place in person. If budget allows, book a trip to the intended destination to see the facilities and location, advise the experts at Brides mag-azine. Working with vendors in person also can simplify sorting out certain details.

Send save-the-date cards promptly. Unlike tra-ditional weddings in which reminders can be sent roughly six months before the wedding,

Guide to a successful destination wedding

DESTINATION WEDDING: Page 10

Open mic nights at restaurants, bars and other establishments around town may make for a fun way for friends to share a few laughs together. (Metro Creative Graphics)

Twenty percent of couples tying the knot choose to have destination weddings. (Metro Creative Graphics)

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save-the-date cards for destination weddings should be mailed at least nine months to a year in advance of the big day.

Hire a professional. Professional wedding plan-ners may prove invaluable when it comes to destination weddings. Rather than organizing everything on your own, you can hire a wedding planner to take care of itineraries, obtain informa-tion about necessary travel documents, coordinate

with local vendors, and much more.Consider tourist seasons. Weather tends to be

best during tourist seasons. Therefore, make sure to reserve hotel room blocks and venues promptly. Slightly before or after peak season may still be fine, but ensure that vendors will be available and look into weather trends carefully before choosing a date.

Research the legality. According to The Knot, many countries have residency requirements, which means you must live in that country for a

certain period of time before the ceremony. Factor this into budget and availability.

Scale back on DIY. Handling many of the details while getting married close to home can be chal-lenging, but doing so for a destination wedding can be difficult to organize. Scale back on DIY, leaving many of the details to the professionals.

Destination weddings require extra planning, but they can be memorable ways for couples to start their new life together.

Metro Creative GraphicsCouples tying the knot typically want to share

their excitement with as many friends and family members as possible. Preliminary wedding guest lists can be quite extensive, but many couples ultimately shorten such lists in adherence to their budgets.

One fuzzy area in regard to guest lists is wheth-er or not to include a “plus one” on the invitation for single friends or family members. A “plus one” refers to single guests’ dates. Party planners may extend the courtesy of giving single guests the choice of whether they would like to bring someone along to the event or attend solo. The rules concerning plus ones are flexible, and ulti-mately, it may be up to the couple to create their own plus-one rules. The following tips can help couples determine which way to go.

Length of relationshipOne way to set limits on plus ones is to look

at invitees on a case-by-case basis. Think about unmarried guests and the type of relationship status they currently claim. For example, a cousin who has been dating someone for several months can be encouraged to invite this serious boy-friend/girlfriend.

Recently divorced or widowed guests may not feel comfortable bringing a date along, but because this person was in a committed relation-ship so long, it may be well worth the courtesy to allow these types of guests to bring someone along so they can feel more comfortable.

Etiquette experts at The Knot say that, when-ever possible, all guests should be addressed by name on the invitation. Couples can ask single friends whether they plan to bring a date to the wedding and who their dates might be.

Number of single friendsAnother consideration is how many single peo-

ple will be invited to the wedding. If it’s a small number, a blanket plus-one rule can be estab-lished. However, if many guests are single, which tends to happen when young couples are get-ting married, the cost can be prohibitive. Single friends and family can be seated together so that they can converse and have fun.

For the guestsIt’s important for people on the receiving end

of a wedding invitation to understand some key plus-one rules as well.

► If the invitation does not say “plus one” or “and guest,” that means you have been invited alone. It is rude to bring a guest unexpectedly.

► Avoid asking to bring someone to the wed-ding if you were not originally given the option.

► If you were given plus-one status, be sure to respond with your guest’s name. If you can’t confirm who you will be bringing or don’t know if you will have a date for the evening, it is better to come alone.

► Don’t use the plus one as a chance to bring a friend only for the free food and drinks.

Weddings can be complicated to plan, and negotiating plus ones for single guests is part of that planning.

‘Plus one’ etiquette for weddings

One fuzzy area in regard to guest lists is whether or not to include a “plus one” on the invitation for single friends or family members. (Metro Creative Graphics)

Metro Creative GraphicsWeddings celebrate the joining together of

hearts, families and homes. The unification of a couple pledging vows to each other is the key component of the ceremony, and unity rituals are common during both traditional and nontradi-tional weddings.

Unity ceremonies represent the magic of two people coming together as one. Unity rituals may be built into certain religious or cultural weddings as a normal part of the festivities. Other couples may want to embrace the idea of a unity ceremony to add something extra special to their ceremo-nies.

Couples seeking creative options for unity rit-uals as part of their wedding ceremonies can explore these clever ideas.

Candle lighting: The lighting of a unity candle is one of the more recognizable and traditional unity rituals. During this ritual, the bride and the groom each light an individual candle and then together light a larger candle, which celebrates them com-ing together as one.

Sand pouring: The pouring of sand into a vessel

also is a popular unity ritual. In this ritual, couples choose two sands of different colors and then pour their respective colors into a vessel, allowing the different hues to mix together. This ritual can be expanded to include other family members, with a rainbow of colors blending for a now unified joining of families.

Unity cross: Christians may enjoy a unity cross ritual at their ceremony. A unity cross is a deco-rative cross with a holder, and the cross is held in place by three pins, which symbolize the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. During this ritual, the bride, groom and officiant will each set a pin in place.

Tree planting: Planting a tree or shrub that can grow with the marriage is a green idea and one that takes unity rituals to a different level. Couples can place the sapling in a decorative pot and then take turns watering it. Later the tree can be plant-ed outside the coupleÕs first home.

Lasso ceremony: This ritual is traditional in many Spanish- and Filipino-speaking countries. After vows are exchanged, the officiant wraps a floral garland or rosary around the couple. At the end of the ceremony, the garland is saved as a symbol of unity and love.

Handfasting: This ritual comes from an ancient Celtic tradition that bounds the bride and groom’s right hands together during the wedding ceremo-ny. Handfasting symbolizes couplesÕ commit-ments to one another.

Flower ceremony: In this ritual, couples can exchange roses or a favorite flower and then place them in a vase or basket. All members of the fam-ily also are invited to place a single flower into the vessel, which ultimately results in a beautiful floral display.

Couples can create their own unique unity cer-emonies. The blending of any two materials, such as wine, tea, glass beads, or paint, or even the tra-ditional tying of knots will convey the symbolism of joining as one.

The Globe BRIDAL BOOK Saturday, June 9, 2018 11

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Wedding unity ceremony ideas

The lighting of a unity candle is one of the more recognizable and traditional unity rituals. (Metro Creative Graphics)

12 Saturday, June 9, 2018 BRIDAL BOOK The Globe