Tasting the Four Elements - An African Inspired Wedding Tradition

A Unique African American Wedding Idea: Tasting the Four Elements Wedding Ceremony

 

 

Wedding customs reflect the heart, soul, and values of a region, which is part of why we love them so much. (We also just love a good time, while wearing great clothes!) 

The ‘Tasting the Four Elements’ Yoruba unity ritual is no exception, with its celebration of the deep and evolving emotions of a long term, loving marriage. 

 

During the unity ceremony, the couple tastes four items that each have a characteristic flavor -- spicy, sour, bitter, and sweet. These flavors symbolize the emotions a couple can expect to feel in their relationship as they navigate married life together. 

 

List of Popular flavors & foods for the Tasting The 4 Elements wedding ceremony:

 

• Cayenne, jalapeno, ginger, or an African chili pepper for spice
• Grapefruit, lemon, lime, kimchi, or vinegar for sour 
• Green tea, radicchio, cacao, mustard greens, or chicory for bitter
• Honey, peaches, pears, or dates for sweet

 

Illustration: Jessica Levey

The Tasting of the Elements Unity Ceremony is based on traditional Yoruba wedding customs in West Africa. 

 

This unique tradition originates within the Yoruba culture of southwestern Nigeria, Benin, and Togo (Yorubaland), in West Africa, and shows an appreciation for family, honesty, spiritual and emotional connection, commitment, nature, and the natural world. 

 

Related: Jumping The Broom Wedding Ceremony Script

 

The Tasting the Elements custom is still widely celebrated at wedding ceremonies within Black, African American, Nigerian, and Afro-Cuban communities, and it continues to grow in popularity with all couples because of its simplicity, creativity, and symbolism. 

 

It’s a popular choice for non religious and nondenominational couples, and it’s embrace of natural elements and their connection to human experience make it a perfect choice for pantheistic, Pagan, and Santería (which blends the traditional Yoruba religion with Catholicism) inspired marriage ceremonies, too. 

So if your taste in weddings is unique and offbeat with a dash of tradition, include the Tasting the Four Elements unity ritual in your ceremony plan! 

 

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Need More Wedding Ceremony Ideas & Inspiration? 

 

Visit the Wedding Ceremony Script Library

 

We know that writing a ceremony from scratch can be a daunting process, especially if you’re officiating on short notice.
 
To make things easier, we keep our Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts Library well stocked with wedding ceremony templates and sample scripts for you to choose from. These scripts are a great starting point, with sections to add to, leave out, or reorganize, as you personalize a ceremony. 
 
You'll find a variety of religious and non-religious ceremonies to choose from.

 

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Interested in Wedding Traditions From Around the World? 

 

Want to learn more about wedding traditions from around the world? Are you interested in incorporating personal stories and multiple culture into your ceremony? Lucky in Love is a great resource to use!

 

Order Lucky in Love

 

Above: An illustration from Lucky in Love, and the book's beautiful cover!

 

Covering traditions, rituals, and superstitions from places and cultures all over the world, Lucky in Love is all about bringing the magic to your wedding.

 

This great gift book is a cross-cultural collection of marriage folklore that will help you create your own lucky traditions with nods to each other’s heritage, customs from places you’ve visited together, and auspicious rituals that just feel special. 

 

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You might also like:

 

• AMM ordains people of all faiths -- from pagans to monotheists, atheists to agnostics!

 

• When Pagans Wed: Modern Paganism & the Wedding Ritual

 

• Don’t Use Sand! -- Creative Alternatives for Your Sand Ceremony
   

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Get Ordained Online with AMM and Officiate a Wedding Ceremony!

 

Become a wedding officiant for friends and relatives with ordination through American Marriage Ministries. 

 

American Marriage Ministries is a nondenominational inclusive internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

 

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Officiating weddings is an incredible honor, and a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create memorable ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime. As a Pagan wedding officiant, you are in a unique position to honor the faith and traditions of the Pagan couples you marry! 

 

Our ordinations are free, accessible, and never expire. Just click here to start the online ordination application, it only takes a minute to complete.
 
AMM Ministers are authorized to officiate weddings in every state* (it's much harder in Virginia, where we're looking into our options, where we're looking into our options). After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the links below to get started! 

 

• Become an AMM Minister today!
• Weddings by State: Officiant Registration Requirements

 

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