The Unity Sand Ceremony is known all over the world for its beauty and sanctity. Couples add this ceremony to their weddings because it so elegantly captures the meaning of two lives becoming one. The sand ceremony is often used for outdoor wedding ceremonies in place of the unity candle due to wind. Using different colored sands, the bride and groom each take turns filling a Unity Vase. The sand colors can be coordinated with your wedding theme or home décor. You may also choose colors based on those you love personally, or for other special reasons. At the end of the ceremony you have a lasting keepsake. The vase can be placed in your home to sit atop a shelf, a table, or a mantle beautifully symbolizing the start of your new life together.

The flowing sand, and blending of colors, in the Unity Sand Ceremony symbolize the blending of two lives into one. Some couples prefer to leave a small amount of sand in their respective containers to show that they retain some individuality, even though they now function as one. The two sands symbolize everything that the bride and groom have been, or will become in the future. Children can be included in this ceremony and can pour a different color sand into the vase, or you may choose to include your parents in this ceremony. The blending of the sand represents the union not only of the bride and groom, but their friends and families as well. The separate sands, once poured into the unity vase, can never be put back into their separate containers. They are forever entwined just as the lives and love of the bride and groom.

This is a lovely ceremony to include if you are getting married near the water, you are having a beach themed wedding, or you just love the beach, lake, or ocean. To make the process of pouring the sand a little easier, either use a wide mouthed vessel or create a funnel using decorative paper. You can personalize the funnel by including names, a date, or even poetry that holds a special meaning.

Sample Sand Ceremony 1:

We have all gathered here to watch (Groom) and (Bride) join their lives together as one. At this time they will blend sand into this beautiful vase. The blending of sand represents the union of the two of them. They are forever entwined.

Wherever you make your home now and in the future - whether it be large and elegant or small and modest select one special spot for this vase. Each time you look at it may it bring you back to this very moment in time and remind you of the love you felt for one another as you filled it together.

Sample Sand Ceremony 2: (With Family)

(Groom) and (Bride) you come here from two different families to create a new family today. At this time I would like to invite the parents of (Groom) and (Bride) to come forward. There are four vessels of sand one to represent each family and one to represent (Groom) and (Bride). I now ask that the parents pour their sand simultaneously into the vase symbolizing the foundation and uniting of the two families into one. Now (Groom) and (Bride) you will pour your sand into the vessel symbolizing the formation of your new family.

Sample Sand Ceremony 3:

(Groom) and (Bride), you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings and the exchange of vows. This covenant is a 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 vessels of sand into one. One represents (Groom). All that you were, all that you are and all that you will ever be. The other represents (Bride). All that you were, all that you are and all that you will ever be. As these two vessels of sand are poured into the third vessel, the individual vessels of sand are joined together as one. You are now joined together.

Sample Sand Ceremony 4: (With Child/Children)

We have all gathered here to watch (Groom) and (Bride) join their lives together as one. At this time they will blend sand into this beautiful vase along with (Child/Children's Name(s). The blending of sand represents the union not only of the two of them, but of their new family. They are forever entwined.

Sample Sand Ceremony 5:

(Groom) and (Bride) may your love always be as constant as the never ending waves, flowing endlessly from the depths of the sea. Just as the waters touch and nourish the many shores of the earth, may your love be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Just as there will never be a morning without the ocean's flow; may there never be a day without your love for one another. You have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings. Before us are two vases of sand. Your wedded relationship is symbolized through the combining of these two individual vases of sand; one representing you (Groom). All that you were, all that you are, and all that you ever will be. The other representing you (Bride). All that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. Each one holds its own unique beauty, strength, and character. They can stand on their own and be whole, without need of anything else. However when these two are blended together they create an entirely new and extraordinarily intricate entity. Each grain of sand brings to the mixture a lasting beauty that forever enriches the combination. As you each hold your sand, the separate vases represent your lives to this moment; individual and unique. As you now combine your sand together, your lives also join together as one. You may wish to leave a small amount of sand in each vase to symbolize that although you are now joined as one, you are still free to express your own individuality for in a most perfect marriage it is not necessary to abandon one's self, but open your life to the other to blend and support each other. You may now blend the sand together symbolizing the uniting of these two lives into one. The life that each of you has experienced until now, individually, will hereafter be inseparably united, for the two shall become one.

Sample Sand Ceremony 6: (With Parents)

You see before you six vases of sand. a vase for each of your parents and one for each of you (Groom) and (Bride). Your parents will blend sand together to represent the commitment they made to you at your birth, the love they carry for you in their hearts and their hope for your future happiness and prosperity. (Groom) and (Bride), as you pour your vases of sand together and the grains of sand become inseparable, your parents will also add sand to yours to symbolize their ongoing love for each of you and their heartfelt hopes for your future together.

Sample Sand Ceremony 7: (With Children)

(Groom) and (Bride), today you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other. Through this commitment you wish to honor your children as well. You wish to symbolize your family relationship through the pouring of sand. One vase represents you (Groom), one vase represents you (Bride), and the remaining vase(s) represents (Child/Children's names). The blending of this new family will have a deep influence on (Child/Children's Names). In order for the home to be a happy one, it is essential that there will be love and understanding between all of you. As you combine your sand together, you are symbolizing the uniting of your family and your future together. May you experience a long, happy, prosperous life together. You are entwined.

Sample Sand Ceremony 8:

The sand ceremony represents leaving your two separate lives and joining to make one life together. Your separate lives are symbolized by two vases of sand, in different colors. To grow a relationship requires more than just two people. It requires the love, support and encouragement of family members, extended family and friends. (Parents and/or Child/Children) please pour your sand into the large, beautiful vase as the foundation for this marriage. (Groom) and (Bride) will now pour their sand into the vase. (Groom) and (Bride) you have just performed your first ritual as a deeply committed couple. Your newly formed union and the union of your two families is represented by this glorious pattern of sand you have created. Just as you could no longer separate the newly formed pattern into individual grains, so are you now joined together. This vase is a keepsake of your wedding day. Let it remind you from this moment on that you are one family anchored in love.

For more information regarding your wedding ceremony contact an Armistead Events Wedding Planner or Wedding Officiant call us today at (434) 665-1792, or Email us and we will call you.