Photography: Brittany Lynn Studios

Says bride Cassandra: "We very purposefully designed our entire ceremony to honor our families and our relationship, and we shared in a Unity Tree Ceremony (and have since nicknamed it our "love fern!). The Unity Tree ceremony symbolizes the roots of our relationship, and the continued growth of our love, as we became one family on our wedding day.

We specifically planted an olive tree because it's a symbol of peace. To us, love and peace go hand in hand and we find peace in our love for one another, in uniting together, and the promises we make to one another. Olive trees are native to both Italy and Croatia, places of our familial heritage. I actually wore olive leaves in my hair as well and my husband on his boutonniere. To honor our families we poured soil from our childhood homes over the tree and then for the first time watered the plant together from an antique watering can. We wanted our ceremony to be heartfelt and genuine, but also light hearted. As we watered the tree, our quartet played a string version of "I Wanna Grow Old With You" from the movie The Wedding Singer.

It all fit together so perfectly to describe "us"! Our tree will not only be a part of our everyday lives together as we continue to water and nourish it, bit it will live on for generations. Not to mention that our wedding was a beautiful spring day so the fresh greenery and the idea of sprouting new life and love was in the air!"

The ceremony was conducted by a close friend of the bride and the groom and they graciously provided the ceremony script from their Tree Planting Ceremony (also known as a Unity Tree Ceremony).

Nick and Cassie, long before you two had the pleasure of knowing each other, your families provided you with a foundation of love and support which has made you the people we see before us. To honor your families and all they have given you, you each will start by adding dirt from your childhood homes'. Just as your families have been the foundation of who you have become, this dirt will be the foundation of your new family. Your family that starts today.

[ Add Dirt ]

The love of their families has allowed Cassie and Nick to grow into the wonderful, and unique people they are. Love is the essence of human experience and emotion. Love gives us the firm base to grow. This tree will continue to grow just as Cassie and Nick create their life together. With constant nurturing and nourishment this tree, and your marriage, will grow strong and resilient. It will weather the challenges of daily life and the passage of time. With your family supporting you today, you are starting with strong roots, and will continue to grow.

Did you include any MEANINGFUL TRADITIONS in your wedding? Send us a pic and a paragraph at [email protected].