Equipment needed: two short strands of rope, preferably of different colors

After the vows and ring exchange, the minister announces, “N. and N. are about to do something special to symbolize their love for each other by literally tying the knot.” The strands of rope are handed to the bride and groom.

The minister continues, “Each of these ropes represent your past, your own individual and separate lives before today. As you intertwine your ropes, you are joining your two lives into one, representing the present. The finished knot symbolizes your future, and how your love and marriage will continue to be strong. N. and N., please tie the knot.”

The bride and groom then tie the two ropes into a fisherman’s knot, which is one of the strongest knots that can be tied.

When the knot is completed, the minister continues, “N. and N. have tied a fisherman’s knot. This knot, when the ends are pulled, becomes so strong that the rope will break before it comes undone. Please pull the ends of your rope.

Once that is done, we say, “May this love knot be a reminder of the strength of your love and the binding together of your two hearts.”