The Salt Ceremony offers a visual symbol of the inseparable ideal of the marriage union. It requires salt, a sufficiently sized glass vase, a funnel, and enough smaller vases/containers for however many participants will be involved. The ceremony normally follows the presentation of the rings. At the appropriate moment, Dr. Leininger says…

From earliest times, salt has been known as a preservative and purifier that prevents decay and corruption. It is eternal, enduring, never changing, and abiding forever, it is the very symbol of God’s character and reliability. And the term “Covenant of Salt” is indicative of the everlasting nature of the Covenant relationship between the children of God and their Creator.

Entering into a Covenant of Salt means binding oneself to another in utmost loyalty and truthfulness, even suffering death, rather than breaking the covenant. For this very reason a Covenant of Salt was never done lightly or haphazardly; it deserves serious respect.

A Marriage Salt Covenant does the same thing by asking N. and N. to combine their grains of salt. Their commitment to each other cannot be broken unless they can each retrieve their own grains of salt. Since this is not possible, it is a symbol of an unbreakable covenant and vow of eternal love.

(If children are involved, the following may be used) At this time N. and N. ask their children to join them in their commitment of love and unity, by participating in a Family Salt Ceremony.

Before each of you is a vial of salt which represent your individuality as well as your hopes, dreams, desires and promises for the success of this marriage and the unity of the family it is creating. By blending your salt with everyone else’s, you enter into a Covenant that symbolizes your acceptance of this marriage and your vow to become one family.

Once blended, you must honor that vow throughout your life and only if you can retrieve your own grains of salt, can you ever break the covenant.

Please blend your salts.

As these grains of salt are forever joined together, may you all be forever joined as a family!