Wishing Stones and Other Ways to Include Family and Friends

There are many ways to create a ritual, story or symbol as an inclusive expression of the sentiments of family and friends. These family and friends wedding ideas offer a few easy ways to add color, fun and the gift of being an active participant in your special day.

You may hear these called wishing stones, or a guest unity ceremony. It works a lot like a unity candle, except that everyone who came to share your day gets a part in it.

Wishing stones: the treasure chest

A great way to include family and friends in your wedding celebration is to have a collection of granite polished hearts or small river rock laid out attractively over a small table. Some artistic creativity will set a great tone with the addition of a few flowers, pedestals of different heights, and candles. Electronic battery-powered candles are easy to obtain and remove the risk of fire and someone getting hurt.

The vase for the heart stones

In the center, place a large clear acrylic vase with a very wide opening, or use a clear acrylic bowl. Use acrylic, NOT glass. No matter how sturdy you think the glass will be, it will break. You will want to choose something with an attractive design and shape. It should be clear and as close to mirroring crystal as you can find. Don’t use something opaque or translucent. It will not be as dynamic and will not give you the effect that you are looking for.

The invitation to your guests

Invite family and friends to be included in your wedding celebration by placing, in a suitable picture frame or acrylic stand, wording on parchment or linen stationery. I suggest the following:

Stepping stones

If you are using river rock, the following wording would work well:

Variations on this idea

Acrylic gems

Use colored clear acrylic pebbles, acrylic ice, or engraved stones. If you are using clear acrylic imitation ice, lightly colored water adds a new dimension to the display. The color of the water can match the wedding theme colors. If the right container is selected, a small battery-powered light can be placed at the bottom underneath the container to shine up into the water. Although it is a little more complicated to find just the right features that will work, lighting always adds special appeal and ambiance to the setting that can be striking if done well.

Gem stone acrylic hearts

Beautiful gem stone acrylic hearts also make lovely keepsakes for your wedding guests (or for Valentine’s Day).

Add music

Soft music playing in the background adds a very warm touch and helps set the mood. There is a huge selection of love songs about hearts, love, life together, the support of family. Do a search on the internet, listen to online music love stations, or talk to friends for ideas. There are so many love songs from which to choose.

Fountain of friendship

Consider having a fountain with two or three pitchers of water on a table nearby, accented by flowers. The sound of the flowing water is relaxing and romantic.

Each arriving guest would be invited to pour a small portion of water into the fountain as a gesture of their love, support, and the contribution that they make in the lives of the couple.

Ensure that the fountain has the capacity to contain the added water. The wording on the invitation near the fountain could be something similar to the following:

A simpler way to finish

Carrying water home at the end of a long day is a fair bit to ask of your wedding party. If that feels like too much, use the water before you leave. Pour it over a potted rose or a small tree that goes home with you, and let that be your living reminder instead. Just change the last two sentences of the wording to match.