Sand Ceremony

The Unity Sand Ceremony is very popular alternative to the traditional Unity Candle lighting Ceremony. The Sand Ceremony is much better suited to outdoor and beach settings!

Sand Ceremony - What it is...

Like the Unity candle, the sand is used to symbolize the uniting of the bride and groom. Their separate lives are symbolized by two vials of sand (usually different colors). After the exchange of rings, the officiant explains the meaning of the Unity Ceremony. The Bride and Groom then come together, and pour into one vial, the two individual vials of sand. Their flowing together symbolizes the joining of the couple as they share their first experience of unity as husband and wife. The newly formed union is represented by the intertwined pattern of sand created by the couple. The essence is to symbolize the union of "two into one". Sand Ceremony - How it works.. With the Unity Sand Ceremony, select three decorative glass vases and place one color of sand into one vase and a second color into another vase. This is designed to represent the Bride and Groom. At the appropriate point in the service the Groom pours a portion of his sand into the third vase. The Bride then pours a portion of her sand in on top of the Groom’s in the third vase. To conclude the Bride and the Groom jointly pour the remaining sand in each of their respective vases into the central vase. The commingling of the colored sand is an impressive demonstration of two into one. And one of the benefits of having a Sand Ceremony is that you can put the decanter or vase containing your combined sand on display in your home (mantle, bookcase, table, etc.) as a constant reminder of your special day.

Couples and the Sand Ceremony (two versions)

Ritual: Sand Ceremony: [Version A] Groom & Bride… you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings and this covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives. The most beautiful of this partnership is the marriage relationship. You have committed here today to share the rest of your lives with each other. Today this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand one, representing you, Bride and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, Groom, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be, united as one for all of your days. Sand Ceremony: [Version B] Bride & Groom… today you join your separate lives together. The two separate bottles of sand symbolize your separate lives, separate families, and separate sets of friends. They are all you are and all you will ever be as an individual. They also represent your lives before today as these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and joined again into individual containers, so will your marriage be. You each will remain individual, with your own uniqueness -- but far more importantly, is the reality, that you are no longer two, but one. I

Including others in the Sand Ceremony

Having your parents or siblings participate in the Sand Ceremony is another great way to symbolize the coming together of a new extended family. One or more members from the bride’s family and groom’s family will pour either a different color of sand then the bride and groom or sometimes they will pour more of the same color of their family member who is getting married. n those cases where children are involved, couples simply add additional colors of sand and incorporate the children in this ceremony. It is a wonderful way to include your family.