Alternative Wedding Ceremony Ideas – The Exchange of Gins

posted inCeremony Inspiration, Personalise It, Weddings

Forget the exchanging of rings, we're loving the idea of exchanging gins! If you’re looking for an alternative wedding ceremony idea then this is definitely one to add to the list and can be performed with a number of different spirits or drinks of your choice!

This alternative wedding ceremony was held by our wonderful directory member Celebrant India of India Bel Ceremonies who loves working with creative individuals and couples to create bespoke ceremonies that are full of personality.

India says; “Your big day should be as special and unique as you – you deserve more than a ‘cookie cutter’ ceremony! I create ceremonies all about you, your story, and reflect who you are. I am passionate that ceremonies should never be boring! They should be a celebration of love, storytelling and reinvention.”

And she did exactly that with Charlotte and Brad. The two of them had already exchanged rings and had their legal ceremony back in May 2021, due to Covid restrictions they were limited to just their closest family and friends. So for part 2, they wanted an alternative wedding ceremony!

India says; “When it came to Wedding 2.0 we discussed wanting to include something a little different and totally unique to the couple - a reinvention of the traditional ‘exchange’ moment. So, we came up with the idea of a Gin blending for their alternative wedding ceremony. They chose:

Plymouth Gin = Bride’s hometown
Brighton Gin = Groom’s hometown
Tonic = tonic of laughter and friendship
WKD Blue = the couple met on a lads/girl’s holiday to Kos when they were 18 - so we just HAD to include the synonymous drink

“The couple each poured a measure of their gin into a glass, then swapped glasses and added a further measure - thus blending the gins. A bridesmaid then added tonic water to represent the tonic of friendship and laughter. A groomsman then completed the concoction with a generous splash of the iconic WKD Blue transforming the cocktail to a vibrant shade of blue”

“As a Celebrant, I then stirred each blend to ensure all the components were well mixed. The couple then linked arms and took a sip of the drink marking their exchange. The moment surprised and delighted their guests and I hear this new cocktail (we’ve called The Bessant Blue) was even requested at the bar throughout the night and will be drunk on their anniversary for years to come.”

If you loved this alternative wedding ceremony and would like to know more about it, you can chat with India here. Alternatively, if you have your own new tradition you’d like to chat about I’m sure she would love to hear more too!

Credits;

Photography Jacob Malinski Photo / Venue Cissbury Barns / Gin - Brighton Gin and Plymouth Gin / Mixers WKD and Fever Tree