Marriage is not just spiritual communion, it is also remembering to take out the rubbish.

Here are some popular wedding rituals, although there are many more to choose from - or I can create a totally bespoke one just for you.

During a wedding ceremony, the couple’s hands are temporarily wrapped or tied together using ribbons, ropes or cloth to symbolise commitment - literally tying the knot!

The ties used can also be symbolic, using colours, patterns or materials that have a particular meaning for the couple.

Different coloured sand is poured in layers into a decorative glass container, which becomes a beautiful keepsake after the ceremony. The colours of sand represent different values or attributes that mean something to those involved. The layers of sand are usually poured by the couple to symbolise the blending of two lives into one, although parents, children or other significant members of the wedding party can be involved to demonstrate the blending of families or cultures.

Before the wedding ceremony, the rings are passed among the guests. Each person gives the rings a special wish or blessing so that they return to the couple full of good luck for the future.

Different coloured paint is poured, brushed or splattered onto a canvas to create a unique artwork. The colours can represent memories, individual passions, hopes and dreams - anything that represents the couple's past, present and future together. The blank canvas symbolises the start of a journey, the paint symbolises the mixing of two lives.

If a couple has a favourite cocktail or they are whisky connoisseurs, for example, they can symbolise their union by blending individual ingredients to create a perfectly mixed drink.

This demonstrates the couple’s shared tastes, passions and now, life. The drink can be enjoyed by the couple afterwards or shared among the guests. This ritual is good for weddings or vow renewals as it is highly personal to the couple, and shows a sense of fun.

This ritual involves the couple sealing a bottle of wine into a box, symbolising the permanence and longevity of marriage. The box can also include messages or momentos from the wedding day. The couple can then open the box and enjoy the wine on their first anniversary, before resealing it, along with any special items from the past year, to open at their next anniversary, creating a new tradition.

A flower or tree is planted during the ceremony to symbolise new beginnings, growth and longevity.  As the marriage grows, so does the plant, creating a visual symbol of the couple's commitment to each other. This ritual can also be used to honour a special person missing from the wedding, and provides a lasting reminder of that person and their part in the couple’s story.