Introduction
For a couple who bonded over their shared love of martial arts, having their passion incorporated throughout the ceremony is a meaningful way to honor how their discipline helped bring them together. Today, let’s explore how a union can showcase the ways martial arts has enriched their lives.
Symbolic Entrance
The ceremony will begin with the bride and groom’s symbolic entrance, demonstrating their bond through martial arts. As the guests stand and the processional music plays, the wedding minister will guide the couple through a choreography kata meant for two performers. This coordinated routine will symbolize their synchronization as training partners and in marriage. The minister will explain the meaning and significance of their chosen kata to the guests watching.
Vows of Strength and Discipline
When exchanging vows, the couple’s promises to one another will incorporate their shared values from martial arts. They may vow to train together, supporting each other’s fitness and growth in skill over the years. Or to demonstrate perseverance in working through life’s challenges just as they have pushed through difficult techniques in practice. Their vows will recognize how martial arts has shaped them individually and as a couple.
Ring Bearer Demonstration
Instead of a traditional ring bearer role, the couple may choose a talented junior belt-holder to demonstrate a bo staff or nun chucks routine as the rings rest upon the weapons. This provides an entertaining display of martial arts skills for guests before the symbolic ring exchange.
Musical Tribute to Discipline and Body
The processional and recessional music will appropriately reflect the discipline and physical art of martial arts. Songs that build in tempo or feature rhythmic percussion pay tribute to the training required. Instrumental pieces capture the focused mind and flowing body achieved through dedicated practice. A martial arts dance style can also be included.
Pronouncement with Demonstration
To pronounce the couple wed, just before announcing them as husband and wife, you will invite them to perform a symbolic martial arts technique together. This could be blocking punches in unison or mirrored kicking and striking poses to demonstrate their synchronized bond now and forever.
Photo Session Sparring Lesson
Creative photos will capture the couple’s passion, such as posing in uniform, mimicking an instructional lesson with mock sparring and stances, or capturing aerial jumps and spinning kicks. This preserves their connection to martial arts on their wedding day.
Belt Exchange Wedding Vows
For a couple that holds the same level of black belt or other rank, their belts can symbolize the path that brought them together through martial arts. During vows, you may guide them to each remove their belt and wrap it around the other’s torso as a symbolic binding of souls from this day forward. The exchanging of belts signifies entwining their journeys and dedicating support of continued growth in skill, mind, and spirit through martial arts practice together in their marriage.
Choreographed Recessional Formations
Following the ceremony and before the recessional exit, pose the wedding party in lined formation as if ready to demonstrate their martial art. Arrange couples in mirrored fighting stances, one by one, for ceremonial photographs. Then have them procession out in sequence but perform choreographed calisthenics, and taolu/kata movements together down the aisle as music plays. This provides an impressive display and active wedding party exit incorporating martial arts rituals of discipline.
Kata for Guest Participation
The ceremony concludes with an invite for all guests to join in a mass performance of a basic kata with the newly married couple. This celebrates their union while promoting the inclusive spirit of martial arts training. It provides a memorable final moment and sends the couple off to celebrate.
Traditional Bowing Entrance and Exit
You may ask all guests to stand and bow as the bride and groom make their entrance and exit, showing deep respect according to martial arts traditions. When bowing in and out, invite guests to mirror the seated formal bow (saikeirei) that is used as a sign of honor in martial arts ceremonies, with the head dipped low for several seconds. Explain to guests that this bow demonstrates acknowledging and honoring the couple’s milestone with utmost respect.
Conclusion
As the ceremony draws to an end, the wedding minister will wish the newly wedded couple a lifetime of learning, growing, and supporting each other through their continued martial arts practice. He can proudly pronounce them husband and wife, and encourage them to stay committed to disciplining both their bodies and spirits each day. This gets to wrap up a martial arts theme wedding nicely.
So, to enjoy the services of a martial arts wedding minister with the best vibes, reach out to us at https://www.lifelongweddingceremonies.com and LifelongWeddingCeremonies@Gmail.com, you can also call or text us at (405) 696-6450.
