Since ancient times, the rose has represented love par excellence. Its most classical version is in fact as red as passion, delicate and fleeting, thorny and painful, fragrant and beautiful: nothing like her better represents the various facets of love. The origin of the symbol is to be found in the Greek myth of Aphrodite and Adonis: when he is killed by a wild boar, she injures herself in an attempt to save him.

The blood of the goddess falls on some white roses, turning them vermilion red. At that point Zeus, moved by such deep sorrow, allows Adonis to divide his time between the realm of the dead and the realm of the living: it is for this reason that the red rose is associated with eternal love.

This rite represents the union of the couple. During the ceremony, the bride and groom give each other a rose by exchanging phrases and gestures that encapsulate the meaning of their commitment to each other.

During the ritual, words are very important because they explain a gesture that may even appear too simple. I give you a rose is much more than giving a flower. The ritual takes place with an introduction by the celebrant who explains the meaning and then pronounces the text of the ritual:
“(Husband’s name) and (wife’s name), now exchange your first gift as husband and wife (the bride and groom exchange roses).

Perhaps it will seem to you that nothing has changed and everything is unchanged. You had a rose in your hand before and you have a rose in your hand now. In a way, that is what will happen with your wedding. In some respects, indeed, tomorrow will be no different from yesterday, yet today, at this very moment, you have received one of the most beautiful gifts of your life, which we hope you will never forget: the gift of pure and eternal love.”

An alternative to reading the lyrics is to use a meaningful song: choose it together, carefully considering the words, music and memories attached to it.

Then the bride and groom exchange roses by pronouncing promises of love and commitment.
Accepting the rose means accepting this flower with all its beauty but also with its thorns. So accepting the other with its merits but also with its flaws.