Sorry for the delay in responding. We just got back from our wedding in Mexico! It was perfect and when I get around to it I will be posting pics and such.
Ok so...shell ceremony....
It was one of the best parts of our wedding. We had 30 guests, therefore we started with 30 seashells. I bought them at Michaels before we left and wrote a word on each shell. Fun, joy, hope, understand etc (basically the things you hope for in your marriage). As guests arrived I had my best friend and her sons pass out shells to each of the guests. At a point in the ceremony I had my friend come up to the front and read the following:
Dan and Janet, before you met, your lives were on different paths with different destinations. But love has brought you together and joined these separate paths into one. Each of your guests has been given a shell to hold, bless and protect throughout your ceremony.
Janet and Dan ask that in your mind and heart you take a moment and pray that their marriage be blessed.
.....Pause for around 10-15 seconds..............
Dan and Janet will now count to 3 and we will cast our shells into the sea to spread love and good wishes to the happy couple!
Janet and Dan: 1-2-3! (if your wedding is in Mexico you could do uno, dos, tres).
Then everyone tosses their shells into the water.
It makes for a wonderful photo opportunity. Hope that helps.
You could choose to have the officiant read your ceremony, however, I wanted a way to include my friend.