ceremony of the roses - original article published by Norah

the original article is from a now-defunct website. the link is from webarchive.

https://web.archive.org/web/20230810091107/https://houseofeadarainn.webs.com/ceremonyoftheroses.htm

The Roses ceremony is essentially a BDSM wedding. It is the ceremony when a Dominant formally collars his/her submissive (who is 'graduating' from a training collar). Vows are exchanged, the sub may be re-named, and there is a great deal of symbolism and tradition.

There are not many places on the internet to find an actual Roses ceremony written out. It describes the ceremony but it doesn't do it justice, in our humble opinion. It is such a symbolic beautiful thing, and it was thought that writing it out would go some ways towards showing just how beautiful and meaningful it is. If you want to download it for your own use, by all means do so, it is meant as a kind of template for those that want to be a little more traditional. Some of the wording can be changed to make it your own, but at least this is a starting point for those that are searching for the actual wording, and how it would look as part of an actual Ceremony of the Roses.

The person who has been asked to officiate says:

Welcome friends… We are gathered here today to witness a special bonding ceremony to signify to all that <Dominant's name> and <submissive's name> wish to commit their lives to each other, and lay in bondage of one another.

This commitment is without end, depth, breadth or height. It is immeasurable, cannot be seen, touched or felt by anyone more than them.

It is a locking of hearts, minds, spirits and souls. It strengthens them and makes them one.

(They now face one another. <sub> kneels down before <Dominant>. A small table is set beside them with an alcohol burner or candle, a vase containing a white unopened rose and a red rose in bloom (these may be carried), the new formal collar, and a white towel with 8ft of steel chain on it.)

Officiant says:

The white unopened rose signifies the purity of <sub's> submission, and the fact that it has not come into full bloom. It never will. Submission is ever deepening, ever growing, and <sub> will never reach a place where he cannot open a bit more for <Dominant>.

<Dominant's> almost fully opened red rose signifies her dominance. The colour red represents her passion and desire to possess and protect <sub> at all costs, though it may require <Dominant> to spill her own blood to do so. The rose is almost in full bloom to symbolize that she is ready and mature enough to accept the responsibilities required of her.

(<Dominant> takes the training collar off of <sub's> neck, passes the new black formal collar through the flame, and then places it on his neck with lock.)

 (As the formal collar is being locked onto <sub's> neck, <Dominant> says:)

My beautiful pet…will you accept my collar and wear it with pride and honour, and as you carry this symbol of my devotion and ownership of you, will you swear that you will live each moment for us and bring honour to our House?

<sub> answers…

<Dominant> says: I will protect and guide you my pet… for all of eternity.

Officiant says:

This action symbolizes the removing of all impurities from the circle of ownership provided by <Dominant>. All outside influences are burned away in the heat of her desire to protect and defend <sub>.

(<sub> then takes an item from his past that has a lot of meaning to him and passes it through the flame. As he does so, he tells her what it means to him and what it symbolizes for their relationship. He then presents it to <Dominant>.)

<sub> says: Will you accept my token of submission, wear it on your heart, and will you swear to live each moment for us and bring honour to our House?

<Dominant> answers…

<sub> says: I will surrender my all to you for eternity.

(<Dominant> then takes her red rose and presses the thorn against <sub's> middle finger, drawing a drop of blood. She then takes his hand and drips 2 drops onto his white rose. <sub> then uses his rose to pierce <Dominant's> finger, and she lets two drops fall on to his white rose, one alone and one on top of a drop of his. The two then press their fingers together and make their vows to be joined by blood.)

<Dominant> and <sub> both say:

Same flesh, same blood… We are now joined for eternity.

(The officiant now takes the chain off of the towel and passes it through the flames, then wraps it around the two of them and while saying):

This chain is a series of links that represent all the events that have led <Dominant> and <sub> to be joined. Each one interlocks with another to complete the chain. Passing it through the flame symbolizes the purification of all the events in their time together as well as their pasts. All bad things are burned away into forgetfulness and only the good remains. Wrapping the chain around them symbolizes the binding of their souls into one.

(While still wrapped in chain both <Dominant> and <sub> can now say their vows to one another)

(<Dominant> reads vows)

(<sub> reads vows)

(Officiant removes the chain, carefully wraps it in the towel, it is handed to <Dominant> and <sub>. The roses are put into a single vase which will be taken to their chamber later on.)