How to include a Tree Planting at your wedding
When planning a Humanist Wedding, it’s likely that you are thinking about symbolic acts that you may like to include. It’s a really good idea to try and find something that resonates with you both. Your Humanist celebrant can help you with ideas.
You might have thought about including a unity ceremony which traditionally symbolise the coming together of individuals and/or families, creating something new while maintaining their individual nature.
Unity ceremonies often involve candles but perhaps you are looking for an alternative. Maybe you're worried about the wind blowing out the candles, perhaps your indoor venue doesn’t allow naked flames or maybe you are both passionate about nature and the environment. These are just some of the reasons you might think about including a tree planting in your wedding.
Here are some ideas and thoughts on how to include planting a tree in your wedding ceremony.
Planning a Tree Planting Ceremony
If you are planning a tree planting ceremony, your humanist celebrant can help you with making it a key part of your ceremony. Have a think about the space you’ll be in and if you’d like anyone other than the two of you to be involved.
A tree planting can be a great way to either really symbolise the joint roots you are creating or can also be a great way to involve other members of your family, chosen or blended. If you have children it is especially lovely to have them help if they are old enough.
Or perhaps you want all of your friends and chosen family who have supported you along the way to help nurture the tree you’re planting as a symbol for their continued support.
The beautiful thing about planting a tree as part of your wedding ceremony is that there are no set rules so you can work with your celebrant to make it really meaningful to you
Having a Tree Planting ceremony at an outdoor wedding
A tree planting feels very relevant at an outdoor ceremony. Remember, if you are planning to plant your tree in the ground you must ask permission from the landowner to plant the tree!
If this isn’t possible, you can still plant something in a beautiful pot (see below for how to have a tree planting ceremony indoors.)
One key recommendation from me if you will be planting the tree in the ground. It takes a long while and is very tiring (and sometimes messy) to dig a hole big and deep enough for even a small tree. I highly recommend that you dig the hole before the ceremony. You can always dig a little more out at the point of planting the tree but getting this bit mainly completed ahead of time will really help you.
Can you have a tree planting ceremony at an indoor wedding?
Yes! While it may seem like a tree planting ceremony can only happen if you are having an outdoor wedding ceremony, fear not! You can include this ceremony if your venue is indoor (with the venue’s permission of course).
The best way to achieve a similar feeling ceremony is to use a smaller potted tree and to use soil from two separate pots.
This is still a lovely way to symbolise your shared commitment and is no less meaningful and beautiful. Plus you can take your plant home with you both and continue to nurture it - as your partnership grows!
What you need for a Tree planting ceremony
If you’ve decided on a tree planting ceremony, either indoor or outdoor, here’s a handy list of what you’ll need. Remember your Humanist Celebrant can help you with questions.
Having a tree planting ceremony indoors:
One small table, another surface also works
Two small containers (ideally attractive ones) full of soil, maybe collected from places meaningful to you. Places could include: your garden, your respective childhood homes, or the area around where you became engaged.
One potted tree (or shrub, or flower, or houseplant) with special meaning to the couple
A watering can filled with water
An empty pot
Two shovels to handle the soil
If you're having the tree planting ceremony outdoors:
One potted tree (or shrub, or flower, or houseplant) with special meaning to the couple
A watering can filled with water
Two shovels to handle the soil
A big spade for digging the hole (recommend doing this before the ceremony - see above)
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So there you have it. A quick whistlestop tour of what a tree planting ceremony is and how you could include it in your personalised wedding ceremony.