The Unity Sand Ceremony

Are you looking for a unique way to symbolize your marriage? You may want to consider a unity sand ceremony to represent the joining of you and your fiance. According to Danielle at The Wedding Outlet, "There are many advantages to a unity sand ceremony - you'll have a timeless piece to keep, plus you won't have to worry about keeping a unity candle lit (especially if you are opting for an outdoor wedding)".

For those of you that may not be familiar with how a Sand Ceremony works, Danielle joins us today from The Wedding Outlet to share the details:

You will start out with 3 vases (more if including the priest or children). The center vase is the largest as this is the one that will have the sand poured into it by all participants. For the sand, many opt to select a different color for each participant.
Step 1: The groom will begin pouring a portion of his sand into the center vase
Step 2: The bride then pours a portion of her sand into the center vase, creating a layered effect
Step 3: The bride and groom will then simultaneously pour the sand into the center vase

There are variations to these steps, some of which might be:
• Some couples choose to repeat Steps 2 and 3 from above to create multiple sand layers
• Some choose to include the priest in the sand ceremony to symbolize the union with their faith. The priest would follow Step 2 above.
• And, if you have children, you might want to symbolize the joining of both families by having each child pour sand into the center vase. Children would follow Step 2 above.

The end result is a beautiful vase filled with sand that symbolizes your marriage and will be a memory of your wedding day forever. And, many of the Sand Ceremony kits at The Wedding Outlet have the option of personalizing the large center glass vases with names and wedding date.

Is anybody opting for a unity sand ceremony instead of the traditional unity candle lighting? Please share with us.

Comments

[Tara B. Noble]

We are really considering the sand ceremony after seeing it at a friend's wedding. Are there any other unity ideas you've seen/heard about other than this and the candles?

[Anita V]

Thank you for posting about sand ceremonies. I'm a Celebrant in the Chicago area and many couples I work with are looking for something a little different. Although some people are familiar with the sand ceremony, it's still something new for most. The description is great and I love the set you have in the photos - beautiful!

[Kricia Morris]

One unity ceremony that I've always found to be nice is the hand fasting ceremony. It's an old Celtic tradition and it symbolizes the joining together of the man and woman (and respective family) as well as the unity that marriage brings to their lives.

[Larissa]

We created a water blessing ceremony for our wedding. Two family members poured ocean water into a bowl and my sister took the bowl to each guest to place their hand into it and give a blessing, wish or intention for our marriage (at a larger wedding this weekend, we had the bowl at the entrance for the guests). The rings were then placed into the water to receive the blessings. Then, my husband and I took the bowl to the ocean and poured the water back into it, thus releasing all the blessings to the rest of the Universe.

[Mari's Paradise Images]

Hi,
Here on the Emerald Coast we sometimes do a native American style sharing ceremony where the officiant places shell necklaces on both the bride and groom. It is usually done just after they say their vows.
The blessing stones/shells involve all of the wedding guests. Here they line up on the shore and cast the shells/stones into the waves with each item representing the throwers good tidings for the bride and groom. The ripples from the shells/stones represent a lifetime of good things or blessings.
And the dove release is done by the bride and groom. Folks usually give it their own spiritual representation. Usually related to the couple taking flight in their own new family life.
Hope this helps!!
Mari

[Arielle Haze]

I have one client doing a sand ceremony in July and another doing a tea ceremony in August.

The tea ceremony will be quite unique! The couple will pour tea and present this tea to their parents. The parents will then sip the tea and offer words of wisdom. It's going to be very beautiful!

[Julie Lepage]

I have photograph a wedding with a sand ceremony and this was simply beautiful.
The mothers of the bride and groom were also part of this ceremony by pouring some sand in the vase.
This is a nice way to let mom be a part of this special day.

[Steve Klausner]

We did a beautiful dove release the other day. At the beginning of the wedding the bride released a single dove in honor of her father who had pass away a few months ago. An additional 24 doves were released in celebration at the end of the ceremony.

[chair covers for wedding]

We used unity sand at our wedding and it was awesome.

[personal wedding website]

i'm deciding on either candles or sand, but now i've seen these pictures, sand it is

[folding chair covers]

Untiy sand does seem much more intimate.

[weddingvows]

Thanks for providing a very good information about sand ceremony. It will help new generation to celebrate their wedding using this way as it is old celetic tradition.

[montreal florist]

Wow! It's really fantastic vase. Beautiful!!