One of the hottest new wedding trends is actually not new at all! For many years, couples have been using sand to symbolize their new journey together as husband and wife.
Legend has it that it probably began in Hawaii when couples would stand barefoot on the beach. At the right moment in the ceremony, they would reach down and take a handful of sand from beneath their feet and pour it into a single container.
In the mainland, this tradition is being incorporated into a wedding in place of the traditional unity candle ceremony. The essence is to symbolize the union of two people beginning a new life together. This sand version is not only beautiful and interesting but also more appropriate for an outdoor setting.
Another thing that makes the Sand Ceremony so unique is that you can put the container with your combined sand on display as a constant reminder of your special day! After all, with the unity candle ceremony, there is no way to preserve the flame that the two of you have lit together, and the unity candle usually ends up in a closet somewhere.
How does it work?
After the two of you have said your vows to one another and exchanged rings, your minister or wedding officiant will guide you through the Sand Ceremony. To begin with, he or she will explain the meaning behind the Sand Ceremony and then invite you to pour your sand from an individual container to one larger decanter or vase.
Here’s an example of what can be said:
_______ and _______, 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 example 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, _______ and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, _______, 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.
Variations
When children are part of the new family, the sand ceremony is a great way to symbolize your new journey together as husband and wife and as a new family. Each member of the family has a different color of sand. Something to keep in mind is to be conscious of the color choices of sand. I prefer more colors than less, but be sure to coordinate the colors that you are pouring to insure that they go together. And a Sand Ceremony is much safer than having children handling lit candles!
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. Either way, it is a wonderful way to include your family.
And one of the benefits of having a Sand Ceremony is that you can put the decanter or vase containing your combined sand on dispay in your home (mantle, bookcase, table, etc.) as a constant reminder of your special day.
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