What are Wedding Unity Sand Ceremonies?

If you are planning a ceremony that includes anything to do with the beach, and wondering if there is a wedding ceremony idea with sand, there is!  Wedding Unity Sand Ceremonies are an elegant way to capture the meaning of your two lives becoming one and at the same time creating a lasting keepsake of your ceremony!

For years the familiar passage of scripture, “And the two shall become one” has been symbolized by the lighting of the unity candles.  Traditionally, the parents each light an individual candle representing the bride's and the groom's families.  The couple then uses those candles to light one larger candle, signifying the joining of their families as one. With the Sand Ceremony, glassware, or vials, filled with sand are used to symbolize the uniting of the couple – their individual lives are symbolized by two individual vials of sand at the beginning of the service.  After the exchange of rings, the officiant explains the meaning of the Unity Ceremony and the couple come together and pour their individual vials of sand into one larger and beautiful sand ceremony glassware, and this flowing together of the different color sand symbolizes the newly formed and intertwined union of the couple. 

Why Say it With Sand?
Sand has many attributes that make it a perfect symbol of love and unity.  Grains of sand are beyond measure and timeless, just like the couple's love.  As the sand from one jar is poured into another, they become indistinguishable-forever together as one. They have come together and can never be separated, demonstrating the couple's lasting love that will remain until the end of time.  It also represents the blending of oneself with the other. The sharing of ideas, goals and personalities occurs as each one pours into the other.  

How it Works?                                

You will need one larger vial that will be your keepsake.  You can have it engraved with initials, your full names, or your wedding date – be sure to do this before the ceremony!  You will also need an individual vial for each person you want involved.  Many couples choose to include their parents or children from a previous marriage.  You can find many beautiful options of Sand Ceremony Glassware on the internet.  Just Google Sand Ceremony Glassware or Wedding Unity Sand Ceremonies and you will find many wonderful options.

In an age where couples are planning weddings that are unique to their beliefs and lifestyle, the sand ceremony can be personalized many different ways to fit your uniqueness and style.  You may choose to quietly take turns pouring the sand after the exchange of rings, or maybe you would prefer to pour your alternating colors of sand as you individually recite your personal vows of commitment, hence sealing each line with the pouring of the sand.  You may also wish to leave a small amount of sand in each smaller vial to symbolize that although you are now joined as one, you are remain individuals.

I think a great addition to this for ceremonies on the beach would be to first have your officiant scoop up a little sand from “your” beach with a sea shell and pour it into the bottom of the sand ceremony glassware symbolizing the building of the foundation of the relationship and of course thereby including a “memento” from the beach itself.

Including Children and Other Family Members

The Unity Sand Ceremony can also be altered in many ways to include family and friends. Besides the bride and groom, various colors of sand are given to wedding members who will add their sand to the couple's sand, all flowing into the container, creating a colorful and one-of-a kind symbol of unity.

In today's world, it's not uncommon for either the bride or groom to have children. One unique thing about a sand ceremony is that the children of a blended family can participate. Each child can have their own pouring vase of colored sand to be blended into the keepsake vase during the ceremony creating a vivid display of family unity.

What to do with your beautiful Wedding Sand Ceremony Glassware?

Well that’s easy!  Displaying the vases in the home after the wedding becomes a romantic reminder of the love, commitment and promises shared on your wedding day.  I would suggest melting some wax to seal it tightly holding the sand in place, and then seal it with a cork or lid.