Sand Ceremony
The origins of the Unity Sand Ceremony are unknown. Some believe this beautifully symbolic ceremony, which is possibly hundreds, or even thousands of years old, began with the Native American Indians with others insisting Hawaiians were the ancestors of the legend. Maybe the Unity Sand Ceremony arose in both places, or it might even have been used in many other parts of the world.
In recent times this ceremony seems to have had a revival after the televised wedding nuptials of Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter from The Bachelorettes in December of 2003. Since this event, couples from around the world have embraced the idea and symbolism of this beautiful ceremony. It is understandable that they have done so, because it is a powerful and lasting way to symbolise their love, commitment and joining of their lives together.
Glass, itself, is made from sand and the sands of time have come together, melting into one piece to make these vessels. The sands of time should remind us all of our eternal love and mortality. The Unity Sand Ceremony is a beautiful celebration of a couple’s commitment to each other on their wedding day. It is a ritual rich with meaning that celebrates the joining together of families in celebration of this happy union. The addition of the Unity Sand Ceremony to your wedding vows will give you a treasured visible reminder of the day your hearts were joined as one. Once poured, your sands can never be separated – a lovely vision of the eternal bond of your wedding vows.
The glassware that can be bought for the sand to be kept in is varied and quite beautiful. You can have two different colours of sand or several different colours depending on how many people are going to be included in the ceremony.
This ceremony is a delightful way to include other family members, as a representation of the two families being joined together, or if you have had children before you marriage you can include them in this part of the ceremony, also children from previous marriages can be included.
The Ceremony itself is quite simple, you each have a container/vase with your sand in it, and then you individually pour some sand into a larger container, one after the other, in this way the colours are mixed and joined together. The vessel is a visual way of displaying your individuality and the joining together of your hearts and lives. When your friends see your unity vase in its place of honour in your home, they will be moved by its simple beauty and message of lasting love.
There are a number of pitfalls that you need to be aware of;
- Measure the sand to ensure it will fit into the large vessel.
- Practice pouring the sand, you can use food colouring and ordinary sand as practice sand, to ensure you create an attractive pattern.
- Find or write your own vows to say as you pour the sand (I have an e-book with many samples, or can let you know how to buy your own).
- If you are including others, especially children, have practice sessions with them.
- Decide where in the ceremony you want this ritual to be held
Vows
Bride – Today this relationship is symbolised through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand into one, representing all that I was, all that I am, and all that I will ever be. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into individual containers, so our marriage will be.
Groom – Today this relationship is symbolised through the pouring of these two individual containers into one, representing all that I was, all that I am, and all that I will ever be. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into individual containers, so our marriage will be.
OR Celebrant - (Name) and (Name) - as you pour your sand into the container, please repeat after me, together “As these grains of sand merge together as one, I merge my life with yours. Please take my love throughout the sand of time. My heart is forever in your keeping”.
Family Sand Unity Ceremony
Celebrant “We have all joined here today to witness (Bride) and (Groom) join their lives together, along with their children - Child, Child, Child, Child, Child, Child (You can fit as many names as needed). Your family relationship is symbolised through the pouring of these individual containers of sand.
There are children who will share in this marriage; (Child), (Child) an (Child). Each child who will share in this marriage will also pour an individual container of sand. The gathering of this new family will have a deep influence upon them. We realise that in order for the home to be a happy one, it is essential that there be love and understanding between the children and adults being married. As you each hold your sand, the separate containers of sand represent your lives to this moment; individual and unique. As you now combine your sand together, your lives also join together as one family”.
Groom or Bride to child/ren
“I love you just as though you were my own,
though you are not the children of my blood.
Love is not lodged within one’s flesh and bone,
but in one’s heart,
which goes which way it would.”
by Nicholas Gordon,
Taken from I Love You as My Own
Children’s Vows:
Do you (Groom/Bride) take (Child) as your own, promising to love him/her and care for him/her, love, nurture and support him or her?
Groom/Bride replies: I do
Do you (Child) accept (Groom/Bride) into your family? Do you promise to love and respect him/her as your step father / step mother?
Child replies: I do
