How to Plan a Summer Solstice Wedding

The summer solstice is a time of abundance and celebration, so it seems only natural to have a wedding on this day. Incorporating traditional elements into the theme of your June 21st wedding is the perfect way to celebrate both the wealth of the earth, as well as the joy of your love.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Dress accordingly. Instead of the usual white dress and black tuxedo, plan to wear the bright colors of summer and drape yourself in natural, flowing fabrics like cotton. All of this will help celebrate and connect you to the abundance of the earth.

2. Serve summer solstice appropriate foods at the reception. Offer plenty of fresh, ripe fruit and present a whole wheel of cheese to represent the glorious sun since it is the longest day of the year.

3. Exchange vows in the bright afternoon, sunrise or sunset. Since the summer solstice is primarily about the abundant light, it would be silly to hold your ceremony at night. To do the holiday and your event justice, the wedding should be held when the sun can be seen in its full glory.

4. Ride into the sunset on white horses, or a carriage drawn by white horses. The holiday is also known as The Feast of Epona, and Epona's primary symbol is that of the white mare, so this would be both fabulously symbolic and beautiful.

5. Adorn the bride in wreaths of wildflowers and the bridesmaids in wreaths of heather, wheat or grapevines to symbolize the abundance of the earth. The neutral colors on the bridesmaids will also help accent the beauty and vibrancy of the bride.

6. Sprinkle the aisles with both wildflowers and seeds. This is especially nice in an outdoor setting since the flowers and seeds are harmless to the environment. You can plan to use these to toss at the bride and groom upon their exit, as well.

7. Serve traditional drinks like honey mead at the reception. Honey is also intimately tied as a symbol of the summer solstice, and honey mead is considered to be at least partially responsible for the naming of the honeymoon.

8. Invite your guests with invitations made from either recycled paper or paper that can be planted in the ground to cultivate a lovely patch of wildflowers.

9. Plan your wedding with a Shakespearean fairy theme. Midsummer Night's Dream was all about the summer solstice and the heady experiences that can happen during the celebrations. Many of its elements can be used as a theme for your wedding.

10. Incorporate spirals and other symbols of the summer solstice into the invitations, programs, decorations, tablescapes and even your wedding cake.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that brides should avoid wearing green if they are celebrating the solstice in the Celtic tradition since this color is considered bad luck for them.

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on 8/24/2009 Summer Solstice, you pagan!

That's ok, the Universal Life Church Monastery makes it possible for all pagans, wiccans and the like to become legal wedding officiants. Visit www.TheMonastery.org to find out more.