The groom then takes bride's hands, palm side up. The officiant says, "They are hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through years, for a lifetime of happiness, as she promises her love and commitment to you all days of her life."

* Knot Ceremony In knot ceremony, mothers of bridal couple are given a cord, which officiant later asks them to give to bridal couple. The couple ties a lover's knot, which they may save to look back on later.

* Sand, Water and Wine Ceremonies These are all mixing ceremonies suited to a Unitarian or interfaith wedding. The sand ceremony is said to arise from Apache customs, and is popular in beach weddings. In each case, bride and groom pour sand or liquid from two separate vials into one. In wine ceremony, they drink mixed wine.

A nice touch is to have bride pour white wine while groom pours red. You can then serve rosé at reception to remind everyone of ceremony.

* The Salt Covenant The salt covenant is an ancient tradition, well-described in Bible, and appearing regularly in Indian-national and Jewish weddings. Like Jewish Huppah, salt covenant (a mixing ceremony with ancient connotations of loyalty, protection and hospitality) is beginning to show up in non-Jewish weddings as well.

* The Foot-Washing Ceremony The foot washing ceremony (not to be confused with Scottish bridal foot-washing ceremony, a raucous pre-wedding event) is a fascinating, solemn custom emphasizing role of dual servitude in a marriage.

This short article hasn't covered all unification ceremonies: there are bread-sharing ceremonies, circling ceremonies, broom jumping ceremonies, and probably more ceremonies that are being invented right now.

However, if you feel a unification ceremony might make your wedding more meaningful and personal, consider these alternatives. Don't forget that you can use more than one!

Blake Kritzberg is the proprietor of: http://www.favorideas.com

5. Add pillows and fluffiness. There are many types of decorative pillows you can add to your living room, family room, and to your beds. These are good accessories that add a cozy feel to your rooms and they also are just plain fun to use- under your head, over your legs, hugged between your arms, they actually do help to keep you warm besides those throws you've gotten out.

6. Even if you don't move to Florida, you can still transport yourself to a tropical climate and start anticipating spring by adding a flowering plant or some cut flowers to your kitchen or dining room table. Include some palm tree low wattage lamps by your reading nook or on your nightstand. Get a CD of some Jimmy Buffet island music and enjoy relaxing to those tropical tunes.

So let right textures, sights, scents and sounds hug you. And let your imagination take you to warmer places and no cares.

Copyright 2004 Liz Hekimian-Williams