Skeptickle

As mentioned here, I borrowed the lovely Mrs. Lovebug’s words for this part of the ceremony. This is such a great ritual for those of us with secular ceremonies!

Wine and Chocolate Ritual

There will come in your life days of great sweetness, and days of bitter sorrow. There will be celebrations, and there will be tears. There will be triumphs, and there will be tragedies. Life holds indescribable happiness in store for you both – and unavoidable pain, as well. And so to symbolize your acceptance of this reality, today you will share the bitter and the sweet, just as you will share them in the years to come.

Both of you, take and eat this bitter, dark chocolate. Taste in it the dark days which will rock your marriage and test its strength. It represents disappointment, illness, grief. Know that these hard times will come, and with them, the opportunity to deepen your bond as husband and wife.

Now, take and drink this sweet red wine.

Taste in it the sweetness and light that will fill your marriage with joy. Savor the fruits of this wine, just as you will savor every happiness that your beloved brings you. It represents shared laughter, your child’s first steps, your golden anniversary. Delight in it, as you will delight in your husband, your wife.

Chocolate used: Green & Black’s Dark 70% Chocolate

Wine used: Dutcher’s Crossing 2004 Port

What  could probably be seen on the blooper reel (if there was one): We didn’t really rehearse this part of the ceremony with actual props so there was some confusion during the execution of the wine “taking” part. My logic was this: on the word “take” (ex: take this bitter chocolate, take this sweet wine) we actually take the thing we’re supposed to consume and then consume it as the officiant speaks about the meaning behind it. This went flawlessly when we took the chocolate. However, when it was time to take the wine, as I reached for the glass, Rob reached his hand out to stop me. Puzzled, I retracted my hand. Then as the officiant started to go into the significance behind the wine, I attempted to give it another go. He did the same thing again! It was pretty awkward to say the least. Finally, when our officiant was done speaking did Rob reach for the glass, drink from it, and then hand it to me. That wine was so delicious that I instantly forgot about the embarrassment I was feeling . But I would definitely recommend rehearsing everything thoroughly if you are doing something for the first time!